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Tartaric Acid

What Tartaric Acid is & what it does

A grape-derived alpha-hydroxy acid used to gently exfoliate and to help buffer a formula's pH. It smooths and brightens with a mild action.

What does Tartaric Acid do in skincare?

Tartaric Acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that is mainly used to adjust and buffer the pH of a formula. It can also contribute mild exfoliating properties as one of the fruit-derived acids, though it is often present in small amounts for pH balance. Its role varies depending on how much is used and the type of product.

Is Tartaric Acid safe?

Tartaric Acid is a commonly used ingredient that is generally considered safe at the low levels typical in cosmetics. As an acid it can be irritating at high concentrations or very low pH, so well-formulated products keep it within tolerable ranges. People with sensitive skin may want to patch test, and this is general information rather than medical advice.

Is Tartaric Acid natural or synthetic?

Tartaric Acid occurs naturally in fruits such as grapes and is a familiar byproduct of winemaking. The version used in cosmetics may be extracted from natural sources or produced synthetically, with both forms being chemically the same. It contains no animal material and is generally suitable for vegan formulas.

Sunscreens with Tartaric Acid

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

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