Is Sodium Citrate safe in cosmetics?
Sodium Citrate has a safety rating of "EXCELLENT" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 4 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Sodium Citrate
Also known as: 1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, trisodium salt, Sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7), Citric acid, trisodium salt, 331iii, Citra-lock (+12 more)
INCI: SODIUM CITRATE
Sodium Citrate (CAS 68-04-2) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as pH buffering agent; chelating agent. Reported NOAEL 2500 mg/kg bw/day in rat (COSMOS DB); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data.
Function
pH buffering agent; chelating agent
Editorial assessment
EXCELLENT
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
GRAS-listed; widely accepted; no concentration cap
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Sodium Citrate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
4 study endpoints found for Sodium Citrate. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | 2500 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | 4450 mg/kg bw/day | oral | rat | Short Term Toxicity | COSMOS DB |
| NOAEL | =4000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Mouse | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =8000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | short-term | ECHA |
GHS Hazard Classification
Globally Harmonized System classification per ECHA C&L inventory and ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Cards.
Short-term Exposure Effects
The substance is irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
Routes of Exposure
The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion.
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
4 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LOAEL | =16000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECHA |
| LOAEL | =8000 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =8000 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | short-term | ECHA |
| NOAEL | =4000 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | short-term | ECHA |
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
10,000 - 100,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Chelating agent
Cleaning agent
Deflocculant
Deodorizer
Dye
Emulsifier
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
No specific technical function
Pharmaceutical
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Restricted for Children (Cosmetics)
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Sodium Citrate — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
ph-buffer
intimate-suitable
chelating
gras
eu_children_restricted
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Sodium Citrate by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
4
Lowest NOAEL
2500 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
8000 mg/kg bw/day
COSMOS DB
ECHA
Known Synonyms
1,2,3-Propanetricarboxylic acid, 2-hydroxy-, trisodium salt
Sodium citrate (Na3C6H5O7)
Citric acid, trisodium salt
331iii
Citra-lock
Ional
Unifine P 3
Urisal
Sodium citrate anhydrous
Sodium citrate, anhydrous
Citrosodna
EINECS 200-675-3
FEMA No. 3026
Trisodium citrate, anhydrous
Trisodium 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylate
UNII-RS7A450LGA
citric acid trisodium salt
Chemical Function
Chelating agent
pH regulating agent
Deodorizer
No specific technical function
Regulatory Lists
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
Cleaning products and household care - oven - oven cleaner; Europe
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
Cleaning products and household care - laundry and fabric treatment - laundry detergent; Europe
Europe; supplements
Europe; food_additive; supplements
children; Europe; Personal care
children; Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo
Europe; Personal care - hair styling and care - shampoo-dandruff
animal_products
animal_products
Australia; Food and drug - smoking-related products
IFRA Transparency
Canada; pharmaceutical
Canada; pharmaceutical
Cleaning products and household care - dishwasher and dishes - automatic dishwashing detergent; Europe
Cleaning products and household care; Europe
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA CAS match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Compound
SODIUM CITRATE
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1355
Max Phase
4
Adverse Event Associations
1517
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Sodium citrate
E Number
E331
ADI
NOT LIMITED ("Not specified") mg/kg bw
Food Category
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sodium Citrate allowed in the EU?
Sodium Citrate EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Sodium Citrate do in cosmetics?
Sodium Citrate functions as: pH buffering agent; chelating agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 68-04-2.
What is the NOAEL for Sodium Citrate?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Sodium Citrate is 2500 mg/kg bw/day based on a Short Term Toxicity study via oral route in rat. A total of 4 study endpoints are available. Source: COSMOS DB.
Is Sodium Citrate used outside cosmetics?
Sodium Citrate also appears in industrial chemical safety, pharmaceutical, and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Sodium Citrate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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SODIUM (ASTROCARYUM VULGARE/EUTERPE OLERACEAE/PALM) FRUIT/(ASTROCARYUM VULGARE/PALM) KERNEL/(ASTROCARYUM MURUMURU/BABASSU/BERTHOLLETIA EXCELSA/CARAPA GUIANENSIS/COCOA/FEVILLEA TRILOBATA/PASSIFLORA EDULIS/THEOBROMA GRANDIFLORUM) SEEDATE
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