Ingredient label reference
Citric Acid
Citric acid
pH adjusters and buffers
An organic acid used as part of a buffering or pH-adjustment system and sometimes to bind metal ions.
- Also seen as
- 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid · E330
- Reported functions
- Buffering · Chelating · Fragrance
- Example formats
- Rinse-off · Leave-on · Wipe
Why it may be in a product
A formulator may use it in a small amount to tune the finished system rather than as a headline ingredient.
What the name tells you
Its presence suggests pH, buffering or chelation work may be part of the formula design.
What the label cannot tell you
It cannot establish amount, reason for use, finished pH, acidity, a ‘pH balanced’ claim, mildness or canine skin compatibility. E330 is only a food-code search alias, not grade equivalence.
Evidence status
Official function terminology established; a canine finished-product outcome is not established.
Reference entries
Evidence and boundaries
Terminology sources, shown plainly.
The glossary uses official European sources to check ingredient terminology and to keep medical, biocidal and finished-product claims outside the glossary. Cosmetic references concern human products; their use here is limited to names and reported formulation functions.
Reference review: 2026-08-25.
Read the Journal editorial method →Discussed in Journal guides
- How your dog’s skin barrier worksSkin pH is not one fixed number · Examples of pH-adjusting and buffering functions. Their presence does not disclose a finished formula's pH, quality or canine suitability.
- How to read a dog shampoo ingredient listWork through one clearly fictional label · Fictional label teaching example—not a real product or formula recommendation.
- Dog shampoo ingredients: what are they for?Preservation, chelation and pH are systems · Supporting formulation roles. These names do not disclose finished pH, preservation validation or product quality.
- What to look for in a dog shampoo before you buyWhat an ingredient name cannot tell you · Examples of names from four different functional groups, showing what a lookup returns. This is not a ranking, a shortlist of concerns or a list of names to avoid.
Source 1
European Commission — CosIng databaseA non-binding reference for cosmetic ingredient names and reported functions. It concerns human cosmetics and is used here only as a terminology source, not as canine safety approval.
Source 2
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1175The current EU glossary of common ingredient names for cosmetic product labelling, applicable from 30 July 2026.
Source 3
Regulation (EU) 2019/6 on veterinary medicinal productsRegulatory context for why claims about treating or preventing disease are outside this formulation glossary.
Source 4
Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 on biocidal productsRegulatory context for why disinfection and pest-control claims are outside this formulation glossary.