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Citric acid

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Citric acid

Citric acid gently clears stubborn marks from acne and balances extra skin oil. It suits both dry skin and oily skin well when found in gentle toners and cleansers. This ingredient fits easily into a daily routine alongside panthenol, ferulic acid, and glycerin, while remaining best kept apart from adapalene, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

This page shows citric acid products with a Lovi page. For every product, and a routine built for your skin, use the Lovi app.

Citric acid toners

What reviewers say about popular citric acid products

The highlight reviewers mention most for each popular citric acid product on Lovi.

Citric acid cleansers

Other citric acid products

Citric acid for dry skin

Citric acid for oily skin

Citric acid for combination skin

Citric acid for sensitive skin

All citric acid products

See all 25 citric acid products

What to combine citric acid with

IngredientTogetherHow to use them
Panthenol Works well Use them in the same routine by applying panthenol after citric acid, because panthenol helps calm any irritation caused by the acid. Citric acid and panthenol
Ferulic acid Works well Use them in the same routine by applying ferulic acid after citric acid, because antioxidants help protect skin right after exfoliation. Citric acid and ferulic acid
Glycerin Works well Use them together by applying citric acid first and glycerin right after, because the glycerin puts moisture back into the skin. Citric acid and glycerin
Vitamin E Works well Use them in the same routine by applying vitamin E after citric acid, because antioxidants help protect skin right after exfoliation. Citric acid and vitamin E
Linoleic acid Works well Use them together by applying the acid first and the lipid oil right after, because the oil soothes the skin. Citric acid and linoleic acid
Silk amino acids Works well Use them together in your daily routine, applying the citric acid first and the silk amino acids right after to boost hydration. Citric acid and silk amino acids
Arginine Works well Use them together in the same routine, applying the acid first and the amino acid second to keep skin balanced. Citric acid and arginine
Allantoin Works well Use them together by applying the citric acid first and the allantoin right after, because it helps calm down any stinging. Citric acid and allantoin
Taurine Works well Use them together in the same routine, applying the exfoliating acid first followed by the amino acid product. Citric acid and taurine
Gluconolactone Works well Use them together in the same routine, applying the exfoliating acid first and the gentle smoothing acid right after. Citric acid and gluconolactone
Cholesterol Works well Use them together in the same routine, applying the exfoliating acid first followed by the rich lipid cream. Citric acid and cholesterol
Lactobionic acid Works well Use them together by applying citric acid first and lactobionic acid second, because lactobionic acid calms irritation and adds soothing moisture. Citric acid and lactobionic acid
Betaine Works well Use them together by applying citric acid first and betaine right after, because the betaine helps replenish lost moisture and keeps skin calm. Citric acid and betaine
Sodium lactate Works well Use them together by applying the acid first and the buffer second, for a gentler and more comfortable routine. Citric acid and sodium lactate
Bisabolol Works well Use them together by applying bisabolol after citric acid, because bisabolol calms the irritation caused by the acid. Citric acid and bisabolol
Lauric acid Works well Use citric acid and lauric acid together by applying the citric acid first and the lauric acid right after to lock in moisture. Citric acid and lauric acid
Tromethamine Works well Use them together by applying tromethamine after citric acid, to keep your routine balanced and comfortable. Citric acid and tromethamine
GABA Works well Use them together, with citric acid first and GABA second, to keep skin hydrated and balanced. Citric acid and GABA
Theanine Works well Use them together in the same routine, applying the citric acid first and the theanine after, for a gentle and balanced glow. Citric acid and theanine
Niacinamide Depends Apply them at different times of day, using the acid first and niacinamide later, because mixing them can cause redness and irritation. Citric acid and niacinamide
Hyaluronic acid Depends Use citric acid first and hyaluronic acid after ten to fifteen minutes, because strong acids can degrade hyaluronic acid. Citric acid and hyaluronic acid
Adapalene Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause skin irritation. Citric acid and adapalene
Benzoyl peroxide Keep apart Use them at different times of day by applying citric acid in the morning and benzoyl peroxide at night to prevent severe skin irritation. Citric acid and benzoyl peroxide
Retinol Keep apart Use them on alternate nights, applying citric acid first and retinol next, to prevent skin irritation and over-exfoliation. Citric acid and retinol
Azelaic acid Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying azelaic acid in the morning and citric acid at night. Citric acid and azelaic acid
Salicylic acid Keep apart Use them on alternate nights to avoid double exfoliation and skin irritation. Citric acid and salicylic acid
Tretinoin Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because they both increase cell turnover and can cause irritation when layered together. Citric acid and tretinoin
Bio-placenta peptides Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the citric acid in the morning and the bio-placenta peptides at night, because the acid breaks down the peptides and ruins their anti-aging power. Citric acid and bio-placenta peptides
Hexapeptide Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the acid first and the peptide later, because mixing them makes the peptide lose its power. Citric acid and hexapeptide
Carnosine Keep apart Use them at different times of day with citric acid first, because acids break down this firming peptide. Citric acid and carnosine
Pro-retinol Keep apart Use pro-retinol and citric acid on alternate nights to prevent skin irritation. Citric acid and pro-retinol
Retinal Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause severe skin irritation. Citric acid and retinal
Acetyl hexapeptide-3 Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the acid first and the peptide second, because acid breaks down the peptide. Citric acid and acetyl hexapeptide-3
Retinoid blend Keep apart Use them on alternate nights to avoid skin irritation. Citric acid and retinoid blend
Granactive retinoid Keep apart Use granactive retinoid and citric acid on alternate nights to prevent skin irritation. Citric acid and granactive retinoid
Hydroxypinacolone retinoate Keep apart Use them on alternate nights because combining them can cause skin irritation. Citric acid and hydroxypinacolone retinoate
Collagen peptide Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the acid first and the peptides later, because mixing them together cancels out their benefits. Citric acid and collagen peptide
Copper peptide Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the citric acid first and the copper peptide later, because acids break down peptides. Citric acid and copper peptide
Hexapeptide-9 Keep apart Use them at different times of day with citric acid in the morning and hexapeptide-9 at night because acid ruins peptide results. Citric acid and hexapeptide-9
Peptide-rich plasma Keep apart Apply the peptide serum in the morning and the citric acid at night to prevent the acid from breaking down the peptides. Citric acid and peptide-rich plasma
Tri-ceramide complex Keep apart Use them at different times of day, applying the acid first and the ceramide cream later, because strong acids clash with ceramides and can irritate your skin. Citric acid and tri-ceramide complex
Triple peptide blend Keep apart Use them at different times of day with the acid first, because the acid ruins the peptide. Citric acid and triple peptide blend
Palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 Keep apart Apply citric acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4 at different times of day, using the acid in the morning and the peptide at night, because the acid ruins the peptide. Citric acid and palmitoyl pentapeptide-4
Palmitoyl tripeptide-1 Keep apart Use them at different times of day by applying the acid in the morning and the peptide at night because the acid ruins the peptide. Citric acid and palmitoyl tripeptide-1

From the ingredient rules behind the "Works well with" and "Don't mix with" notes on every product in the Lovi app.

Questions and answers

What does citric acid do for the skin?

Citric acid helps reduce post-inflammatory hyperchromia and controls oily skin when used in a daily facial serum. It may decrease skin oiliness and improve acne vulgaris lesion grades over time.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

How do you use citric acid?

Citric acid helps reduce dark spots and oiliness when used as a daily facial serum treatment.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2013

Should you use citric acid in the morning or at night?

Citric acid can be used in the morning, such as when pairing it with azelaic acid by applying azelaic acid in the morning and citric acid at night.

Can you use citric acid every day?

Yes, you can use citric acid daily as part of your routine. Daily treatment with a facial serum containing citric acid helps reduce post-inflammatory hyperchromia and decrease skin oiliness.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021

Does citric acid cause purging or irritation?

Citric acid may cause skin irritation when it is combined with certain strong ingredients or used too often. Using it with soothing partners like panthenol helps calm any irritation caused by the acid.

Which skin types is citric acid best for?

Citric acid is a good fit for dry, oily, combination, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types, with top-rated options including Neutrogena Soothing Clear Turmeric Mist and Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner. Lovi rates the fit as Superior for oily skin with products like SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense.

Can you use citric acid with panthenol?

Yes, you can use citric acid and panthenol together in the same routine by applying panthenol after citric acid, because panthenol helps calm any irritation caused by the acid.

Can you use citric acid with adapalene?

You should keep citric acid and adapalene apart by using them on alternate nights, because combining them can cause skin irritation.

Research on citric acid

Behind this ingredient guide

Lovi checks every ingredient with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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