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Citrulline

What Citrulline is & what it does

Citrulline is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body and in some plants such as watermelon. In cosmetic and sunscreen formulas it is used as a skin-conditioning and humectant agent that helps support skin hydration. It is a small, water-soluble molecule that is generally well tolerated in topical products.

Is Citrulline safe?

Citrulline is an amino acid found naturally in the body and in some plants, and it is generally regarded as safe for topical use at cosmetic levels. It is a small, water-soluble molecule that is usually well tolerated. Patch testing a new product remains a sensible precaution for reactive skin.

What does Citrulline do in skincare?

Citrulline works as a skin-conditioning and humectant ingredient that helps support skin hydration. Its small size and water solubility let it integrate easily into water-based formulas.

Is Citrulline vegan?

The citrulline used in cosmetics is commonly produced by fermentation or synthesis rather than from animal sources, which generally makes it suitable for vegan formulas. Sourcing can differ between suppliers, so checking the brand's labeling is the surest way to confirm.

Sunscreens with Citrulline

We rate 11 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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