Citric acid is a source of alpha hydroxy acid or AHA. AHAs are used to help improve the texture and overall appearance of the skin and are a cult ingredient used by both skincare fans and dermatologists alike. Citric acid is a weak organic acid that is naturally found within citrus fruits, especially from citrus fruits such as lemons and limes. Its usual commercial uses in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals include its role as a pH adjustor and skin thickening agent within gels and creams. Citric acid’s clinical effects include being able to help improve the appearance of photoaged skin, help improve the skin elasticity, increase skin firmness, as well as an skin exfoliator, therefore helping with allowing new cells surface the skin faster to allow smooth skin. Citric acid has also been suggested to help repair skin barrier function. Citric acid manages to do this by maintaining the optimum level of acidic pH in areas of the skin which are essential for normal skin barrier function.