Ingredient · dataset v56
Citric Acid and fungal acne
No known trigger
Why it's not a known trigger
A small six-carbon fruit acid used to tune pH and lightly chelate metals; short, water-soluble, not a long-chain fat.
Evidence strength
Judged neutral — no trigger evidence
Function
pH adjuster
Also listed as
Sodium Citrate, Potassium Citrate
Checked products with this ingredient (41)
Product types: Antifungal treatments, Body care, Cleansers, Masks, Micellar waters, Moisturizers, Serums & Treatments, Shampoos, Sunscreens, Toners
Antifungal treatments (6)
- Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Ketoconazole 1%)
- Selsun Blue Medicated Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Selenium Sulfide 1%)
- Head & Shoulders Clinical Strength Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (Selenium Sulfide 1%)
- DHS (Person & Covey) DHS Zinc Shampoo (Pyrithione Zinc 2%)
- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash (Benzoyl Peroxide 4%)
- Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask 4.2 oz
Body care (7)
- Paula's Choice All Over Hair & Body Shampoo
- Vanicream Gentle Body Wash
- Native Body Wash Cucumber & Mint 18 oz
- Tower 28 SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment 8.4 oz
- Makari Glycolic + Lactic Acid + Niacinamide Body Wash 15 oz
- SEEN Body Wash Fragrance Free 10 fl oz
- CLn 2-in-1 Gentle Wash & Shampoo 8 fl oz
Cleansers (4)
- Avene Cleansing Foam
- Eucerin Dermopure Cleansing Gel
- Simple Water Boost Micellar Facial Gel Wash
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser Fragrance-Free 16 oz
Masks (1)
Micellar waters (4)
- Bioderma Sebium H2O Micellar Water 500 ml
- Avene Micellar Cleansing Water 3-in-1 200 ml
- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water with Rose Water + Glycerin 13.5 fl oz
- COSRX Low pH Niacinamide Micellar Cleansing Water 400 ml
Moisturizers (6)
- Hada Labo Tokyo Skin Plumping Gel Cream
- Uriage Bariederm Cica Daily Gel-Cream
- La Roche-Posay Toleriane Sensitive Fluide
- Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel 50 ml
- Almond Clear 2-in-1 Hydrating Gel 4 oz
- Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel-Cream 50 ml
Serums & Treatments (4)
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution 30 ml
- SVR [B3] Essence Hydra 150 ml
- Stridex Maximum Strength Medicated Pads
- COSRX The Niacinamide 15 Serum 20 ml
Shampoos (6)
- Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo & Body Wash
- Exederm Eczema Care Daily Shampoo 8 oz
- Native Moisturizing Shampoo Coconut & Vanilla 16.5 oz
- Pantene Miracle Bond Repair Sulfate-Free Shampoo 13.5 oz
- K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo 8.5 oz
- VERB Dandruff Shampoo 3% Salicylic Acid 8 oz
Sunscreens (1)
Toners (2)
Related ph adjuster
- Acetic Acid — No known trigger
- Aminomethyl Propanol — No known trigger
- Arginine — No known trigger
- Diisopropanolamine — No known trigger
- Hydrochloric Acid — No known trigger
- Lactic Acid — No known trigger
- Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate — No known trigger
- Phosphoric Acid — No known trigger
Sources
EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Citric Acid trigger fungal acne?
No known trigger: A small six-carbon fruit acid used to tune pH and lightly chelate metals; short, water-soluble, not a long-chain fat.
Does Citric Acid feed Malassezia?
No known link: Citric Acid is judged with no known trigger. One screened ingredient is not a product verdict — when in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Citric Acid →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.