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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Good

Citric Acid

  • Products with this ingredient are allowed for use in EWG VERIFIED but must meet use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in product forms that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns. The score is lower if used in product forms that have lower risk of inhalation (e.g., solids, liquids)
  • This ingredient's score is higher if used in products that may not meet industry safety guidelines or U.S. and international government requirements. The score will be lower if used in products that meet these safety guidelines and requirements.

IMAGE SOURCE: PubChem

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Other Concerns

Use restrictions (moderate)

SYNONYMS

● 1466-EP2316834A1
● 1466-EP2316832A1
● 1466-EP2316835A1
● CITRIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, E330, ANHYDROUS, 99.5-100.5% (BASED ON ANHYDROUS SUBSTANCE)
● 1466-EP2316825A1
● 1466-EP2316828A1
● 1466-EP2316831A1
● 1466-EP2316829A1
● 1466-EP2316833A1
● 1466-EP2316827A1

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation

Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid used in personal care products to adjust the acidity or promote skin peeling and re-growth in the case of anti-aging products. Citric acid is naturally found in citric fruits and juices, providing the characteristic acidic taste.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • MODERATE
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

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acne treatment5 products
after shave46 products
after sun product34 products
anti-aging131 products
antiperspirant/deodorant109 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)24 products
around-eye cream305 products
Baby Bath Treatments, Tablets and Powders2 products
baby bubble bath79 products
Baby Hair Conditioner3 products
baby lotion106 products
baby oil5 products
baby powder1 products
baby shampoo316 products
baby soap253 products
baby sunscreen30 products
baby toothpaste29 products
baby wipes369 products
bar soap218 products
Bath and Body Wipes66 products
bath oil/salts/soak1408 products
BB cream44 products
recreational sunscreen168 products
beard care36 products
beard cleanser43 products
Beard Conditioners4 products
beard oil4 products
Beard Soaps4 products
blush114 products
body art1 products
body firming lotion165 products
body oil25 products
body powder2 products
body spray69 products
body wash/cleanser3225 products
bronzer/highlighter169 products
brow liner234 products
bubble bath335 products
CC cream30 products
concealer317 products
conditioner2987 products
cradle cap treatment1 products
cuticle treatment6 products
damaged skin treatment12 products
Decollete and Neck Creams1 products
Denture Care5 products
depilatory5 products
depilatory (men's)1 products
detangler148 products
diaper cream3 products
Dry Shampoo and Hair Powders4 products
exfoliant/scrub482 products
Exfoliants16 products
eye liner360 products
eye makeup remover31 products
eye shadow186 products
Eye Shadow Primers2 products
eyelash glue20 products
Face Wipes8 products
facial cleanser1291 products
Facial Cleansing Water13 products
facial moisturizer/treatment1242 products
facial powder21 products
Facial Sun Care12 products
Flushable wipes2 products
foot cleansing15 products
foot moisturizer38 products
foot odor control2 products
foundation1067 products
fragrance for men10 products
fragrance for women52 products
glitter5 products
hair color and bleaching464 products
hair relaxer14 products
hair removal waxes6 products
hair spray123 products
hair styling aid565 products
Hair Styling Gel11 products
hair treatment/serum926 products
hair-loss treatment56 products
hand cream206 products
hand sanitizer98 products
lip balm448 products
lip balm with SPF14 products
lip gloss138 products
lip liner69 products
lip plumper7 products
Lip Stain4 products
lipstick445 products
liquid hand soap2144 products
lubricant1 products
makeup primer135 products
makeup remover285 products
mascara143 products
mask900 products
moisturizer984 products
daily use with SPF317 products
Moisturizing Socks1 products
mouthwash117 products
muscle/joint soreness11 products
nail glue2 products
nail polish581 products
nail treatment33 products
oil controller8 products
Oils & Serums47 products
other eye makeup21 products
Other Hair Care Preparations6 products
personal cleansing6 products
polish remover5 products
pore strips1 products
Preshave Preparations7 products
serums & essences761 products
setting powder/spray97 products
shampoo4231 products
shaving cream100 products
shaving cream (men's)23 products
skin fading/lightener22 products
styling gel/lotion228 products
styling mousse/foam112 products
sunless tanning154 products
tanning oil5 products
toners/astringents371 products
tooth whitening25 products
toothpaste158 products
Top Coats and Sealers1 products
Under Eye Concealers7 products
vapor rubs6 products
Wipes29 products

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Use restrictions

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmeticsHealth Canada

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada
Classified as a low human health priorityEnvironment Canada

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Expand content Collapse content
CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
  • US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Health Canada
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Environment Canada

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

Can’t find your product?

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