Sodium Citrate

AKA: 68-04-2, TRISODIUM CITRATE, Citrosodine, Natrocitral, Citric acid, Trisodium salt, Trisodium citrate, Anhydrous, Citnatin, Citrosodina
Synthetic
Chelating Agent
Chemical Exfoliant
Clean
Sodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citrate with alkalinizing activity. Upon absorption, sodium citrate dissociates into sodium cations and citrate anions; organic citrate ions are metabolized to bicarbonate ions, resulting in an increase in the plasma bicarbonate concentration, the buffering of excess hydrogen ion, the raising of blood pH, and potentially the reversal of acidosis. In addition, increases in free sodium load due to sodium citrate administration may increase intravascular blood volume, facilitating the excretion of bicarbonate compounds and an anti-urolithic effect.
Effective at 2.5%
Solubility 29.4g/L
Formula
C6H5Na3O7
Mol. Weight
258.07
CAS #
68-04-2, 6132-04-3
Form
Powder
State
Dry Powder; Liquid; Dry Powder, Liquid, Other Solid; Other Solid; Liquid, Other Solid
Functions
Buffering
Chelating
Grabs onto metal ions in water that would destabilize the formula. Keeps your product from going bad or changing color.
Antioxidant
Moisturizing
Fights Acne
Provides scent
Maintains optimal pH
Binds metal ions
Traditional Use
Citric acid from citrus fruits has been known since ancient times; sodium citrate was first synthesized in the 19th century. Used historically as a pH buffer and preservative in both food and cosmetics.
EWG
1
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Yes
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
medical-approval
all-shades-safe
Concentration Guide
0.004%
5.0%
0%7%
Reported use
CIR reported use: 0.01-2 | 0.004-5
Regulatory Status
USApermitted
EUrestricted
JAPANrestricted
CANADArestricted
Skin Types
all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Yes
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper
⚖️Regulatory1 listing
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
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Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR