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Sodium Citrate

What Sodium Citrate is & what it does

The salt of citric acid, used to buffer and stabilize a formula's pH and to bind metal ions that can degrade it. It keeps the product gentle and stable.

What is Sodium Citrate and what does it do in sunscreen?

Sodium Citrate is the sodium salt of citric acid, used to control and steady a formula's pH. Working alongside citric acid as a buffer, it keeps the product in a comfortable, skin-friendly pH range so it stays gentle and stable over time. It also binds stray metal ions that could otherwise speed up spoilage, which helps the formula keep its texture and effectiveness.

Is Sodium Citrate safe?

Yes. Sodium Citrate is very well established and is also used as a food additive, where it carries the E-number E331. In cosmetics it is used at low levels purely to adjust pH and is not a known irritant or sensitizer. There is no general safety concern for topical use.

Does Sodium Citrate clog pores?

No. It is a small, water-soluble salt with no oily or waxy character, so it does not clog pores and is not flagged as comedogenic. It is present in tiny amounts only to fine-tune pH. It is not a plausible cause of breakouts.

Is Sodium Citrate a preservative?

Not exactly. Sodium Citrate is a pH adjuster and a mild chelator, not a true preservative, so it does not by itself stop microbes from growing. By binding metal ions and keeping the pH stable it does help the actual preservative system work better and the formula stay fresh. The real preserving in a sunscreen is done by ingredients like phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin.

What is Sodium Citrate on an ingredient list (INCI)?

"Sodium Citrate" is the INCI name printed on the label. It is the salt of citric acid and is often listed near citric acid itself, since the two work together as a pH buffer. It normally sits low on the list because only a small amount is needed.

Sunscreens with Sodium Citrate

We rate 492 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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