Citric acid 55% pH 0.3 (chemical peeling)

Citric acid 55% pH 0.3 is a preparation for exfoliation treatment. It cleanses the skin, smooths wrinkles, reduces discolouration, stimulates the growth of the dermis and living layers of the epidermis, improves firmness, brightens and regenerates.

✓ May be used outside periods of strong sunlight always with high UVA/UVB protection.

Indications for citric acid:

• polluted skin in need of refreshment
• pigmentation and stains of various origins
• dry, rough and mature skin
• dry, rough and mature skin
• lack of firmness and wrinkles
• oily skin, combination skin, enlarged pores

Citric acid 55% – effects:

• normalisation of keratinocyte proliferation (proliferation)
• deep skin cleansing
• smoothing of wrinkles and fine lines
• reduction of hyperpigmentation
• reduction of hyperpigmentation
• stimulation of growth of the dermis and living layers of the epidermis
• beneficial effect on the collagen of blood vessels (they become less fragile and more elastic)
• stimulation of protocollagen production (basic collagen structure)
• improving firmness by stimulating an increase in the skin’s GAG (glycosaminoglycans) content: chondroitin sulphate and hyaluronic acid
• reduction of symptoms of “photo-ageing”
• brightening of the skin
• regeneration and reconstruction

What do we know about citric acid?

✓ Citric acid is a fruit acid and belongs to the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) group. It was discovered by the Arab alchemist Jabir Ibn Hayyan in the 8th century. Karl Wilhelm Scheele subsequently isolated this acid from lemon juice in 1784. Citric acid is mainly found in citrus fruits (8 per cent by dry weight), but also in kiwi, strawberries, black and red currants, blueberries, raspberries, blueberries or vegetables such as sugar beet and tomatoes, among others.

✓ Citric acid has three carboxyl groups and one hydroxyl group – so it is considered both an alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid. It has moderately high potency and most importantly is a safe substance in cosmetic preparations. Citric acid is used as an acidity regulator, but its main property is its exfoliating action. Chemical peels with citric acid aim to improve skin parameters, regenerate and rejuvenate the skin.

✓ Secondly, exfoliative treatments with citric acid have been proven to lead to increased epidermal thickness. The structure of the basal layer of the epidermis was improved. The positive changes in the epidermis are due to an increase in the synthesis of collagen, elastin and glycosaminiglycans, including both hyaluronic acid and chondroitin sulphate.

✓ Another equally important property of citric acid is its bleaching effect. This is due to the ability of this acid to inhibit the synthesis of skin pigments. This mechanism of action involves interaction with one of the key enzymes in the melanogenesis process, tyrosinase.

✓ Citric acid has a beneficial effect on vascular collagen, meaning that it strengthens blood vessels and they thus become less fragile and more elastic.