What is Citric Acid?

 

Citric acid, as the name suggests, is an acid that is naturally found in all citrus fruits, but most predominantly the juice of lemons and limes. There are also high amounts found in oranges, grapefruit, and berries. The Citric acid is what gives these fruits their tart and sour taste. It’s not just found in fruits though; most animals and plants carry a small trace of Citric acid.

 

However, the Citric acid found in packaged food and non-food items is usually artificial and manmade. This is due to the high costs of extracting natural citric acid, plus the demand far outweighs the supplies available. Most synthetic Citric acid that you find in everyday products actually comes from a type of fungus that has been put through a fermentation process.

 

For more information on how Citric Acid is produced, look no further than our article What is Citric Acid: How is Citric Acid Made?

 

Citric Acid Bath Bombs

 

As we know, self-care is so important for our mental health and general well-being. So, what better way to unwind and release all your stresses and tension from the day than by taking a nice, long soak in the tub with a beautiful bath bomb. And the star ingredient to any good bath bomb is, you guessed it – Citric acid!

 

Check out our ready-made Bath Bomb Kit which includes both Citric acid and Sodium Bicarbonate so you can create your very own bath bombs at home. The quantities are readily measured out so you can use every last drop. Just mix 2-parts Sodium Bicarbonate to 1-part Citric acid in a bowl and you’re good to go.

 

You can customise them by adding your own choice of liquid food colouring to achieve your desired colour and if you want to add a scent you can do this through the use of essential oils. If you’re feeling especially creative, you could even include decorations to your bath bomb recipe, such as dried flowers, salts, orange peel and even biodegradable glitter. So many possibilities!

 

Bath bombs make a great gift for others, or for yourself to enjoy - we all know how important it is to treat your self every now and again. Making bath bombs is also a great indoors activity for a rainy day, some people find the creative process itself calming and therapeutic – Bliss :D

 

Citric Acid Skin Benefits

 

The Citric acid in bath bombs provides a variety of benefits to your skin and can be used to eliminate skin problems. It is generally considered suitable for all ages and skin types which makes it a great supporting ingredient to include in beauty and skincare products - or adding it to you bath!

 

Citric acid is a powerful exfoliator, it unclogs pores and removes dead skin cells from the skins surface. This, in turn, generates new skin growth which can help remove acne scars, blemishes and age spots. As regular exfoliation prevents the build-up of dead skin cells, this will decrease the likelihood of developing blackheads and dry patches.

 

As Citric acid aids in healthy skin barrier function, it may repair the damage caused by the sun’s UV rays. It brightens and softens the skin, can help balance the skin tone and may even reduce wrinkles and fine lines. Citric acid is also a rich source of antioxidants. This property aids in protecting the skin from unknown aggressors that you may encounter daily, such as toxins and pollution.

 

Where Can I Buy Citric Acid?

 

Citric acid is quite widely available throughout the UK. You can find it at some supermarkets, chemists, health food stores and of course, online through various suppliers.

 

In case you didn’t already know, we also sell Citric Acid right here at Wholefood Earth! As our Citric Acid is certified food grade it can be used for a wide range of other uses, from food and drink to personal care items and cleaning products.

 

The manufactured type of Citric acid is generally considered safe, but there have been some reports of allergic reactions and sickness to the additive. However, research has not been able to prove that synthetic citric acid was responsible for those symptoms, there is still further studies being held. Just to be safe, we suggest if you do have sensitive skin or allergies to please use Citric acid in a lower dosage, or to avoid it altogether.