Citric acid

Information

Use in soap-making:

In the soap-making industry, citric acid is recognized for its degreasing properties and its ability to shine dishes without leaving deposits. It is totally natural and offers many other skills in the field of home cosmetics.

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Properties and benefits:

• Acidifying agent: Lowers the pH of cosmetic preparations. To adjust a pH that's too high, add a small amount of citric acid, mix well, then re-test the pH using a pH paper strip. Repeat until the desired pH is reached.
• Natural degreaser: Effective for removing grease and shining up dishes.
• Effervescence: Used with sodium bicarbonate to create effervescent bath products (bath bombs, bath pebbles).
• 100% Natural: Derived from natural sources, without chemical additives.
• Multi-purpose: Can be used in a variety of home care and cleaning products.

Important points on the use of Citric Acid in cold saponification:

Citric acid is a versatile and beneficial ingredient for homemade soaps, offering improved performance, better preservation and environmentally-friendly use.

Here are a few tips on how to make the most of citric acid in your homemade soap recipes:

• Main function :
  • Citric acid produces sodium or potassium citrate, which acts as a chelating agent in soap.
  • It improves soap performance, especially in hard water.
• Recommended dosage :
  • Common use:
    1 to 3% of the total weight of saponified oils
    .
  • Shampoo and household soaps :
    
    up to 5%.
    
    
• Preparation:
  • Dissolve the citric acid in your pre-calculated water before adding the caustic soda.

Dissolving water + Citric acid + Soda pearl = NAOH solution to pour into your oils.

• • The reaction between citric acid and caustic soda can be rapid, generating heat and fumes. Take the safety precautions listed in the Caustic soda instructions for use category.
• Caustic soda calculation :
  • 10 g citric acid neutralizes 6 g caustic soda (NaOH).
  • 10 g citric acid neutralizes 8 g caustic potash (KOH).
  • Adjust the total amount of soda ash to the amount of citric acid used, to avoid excessive greasiness.

Calculation example :

• • For 1000 g of oils and a base surgras of 5%, add 2% citric acid (20 g).
  • Additional calculation for caustic soda: 20 g citric acid neutralizes 12 g caustic soda.
  • Total quantity of soda = 12 g + quantity needed to saponify the oils.
• Advantages :
  • Improves the lathering and cleansing power of soap.
  • Prevents greasy deposits on shower enclosures, skin and hair.
  • Protects soap from rancidity and improves shelf life.
  • Affordable, biodegradable ingredient.

• • Incompatible with pink and blue oxides in bath or acidic aqueous formulas.

Uses :

Quantity to be used :

• Soft to medium-hard water: Use 2-5% sodium citrate.
• Hard to very hard water: Increase by up to 10%. Note that sodium citrate crystals may appear on the surface of the soap, but will disappear with the first wash.

Neutralizing soda or potash :

• Sodium citrate does not neutralize soda or potash.

• Dissolution in water for alkaline solution:
  • Add the sodium citrate directly to the water used for the alkaline solution, before adding the caustic soda.
• Dissolve in water and add to oils:
  • Dissolve sodium citrate in twice its weight in water, then add it to the oils before emulsifying.
• Add after tracing or cooking:
  • Dissolve sodium citrate in twice its weight in water and add after cooking for pot soaps.

Caution: Be sure to deduct the amount of water used to dissolve the sodium citrate from the total amount of dissolving water (WATER + NAOH Soda Pearl mixture).

What is pH:

The pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of an aqueous mixture on a scale of 1 to 14.

• pH Acidic: 1 < pH < 7
• pH Neutral: pH = 7
• pH Alkaline: 7 < pH < 14

Cosmetic products must be formulated with pH levels suitable for different uses:

• Shower Gel: 5.0 to 7.5
• Shampoo: 4.5 to 7.0
• Detangling Hair Care: 4.0 to 5.0
• Intimate Hygiene: 4.5 to 5.5 (women of childbearing age), 6.5 to 7.0 (girls and post-menopausal women)
• Unrinsed Care 4.5 to 7.0
• Soap: 8.0 to 10.0

Storage and Precautions:

• Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture. Close the bag tightly.
• Precautions :
  • Keep out of reach of children.
  • Causes severe eye irritation.
  • Do not swallow, avoid contact with eyes and skin.
  • Protective gloves and goggles should be worn when handling.

The indications and advice given above are provided for information only, based on reputable sources in aromatherapy, soap-making and phytotherapy. Under no circumstances should they be considered as medical advice. This information is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It is essential to consult a health professional before using essential oils or any other product mentioned. In addition, please note that the product discussed in this context is not intended for consumption.