What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Trisodium citrate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- SODIUM CITRATE
- CAS number
- 68-04-2 / 6132-04-3
- EC number
- 200-675-3
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Sodium Citrate in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Buffering
-
Keeps the product’s pH (how acidic it is) steady.
Register definition: “Stabilising the pH of an aqueous medium in a narrow range even if an acid or base is added. Altering and/or maintaining a cosmetic product's pH at the desired level.”
- Chelating
-
Binds metal ions, such as those in hard water, so they don’t spoil the product. Clarifying shampoos often list one.
Register definition: “Forming complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics.”
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Heat protectants 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Heat protectants without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo Shampoo 9th of 20 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Shampoo Shampoo 14th of 22 names
- Maui Moisture Scalp Care Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar Clarifying shampoo 31st of 34 names
- Bouclème Curl Defence Spray Heat protectant 11th of 35 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other buffering ingredients on these labels
- Citric Acid 93 labels
- Sodium Hydroxide 25 labels
- Aminomethyl Propanol 15 labels
- Lactic Acid 12 labels
- Acetic Acid 7 labels
- Sodium Acetate 7 labels
- Disodium Phosphate 6 labels
- Sodium Lactate 5 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.