Why You Should Avoid Citric Acid in Skincare and Food Products: Understanding Its Creation, Connection to Mold, and Health Impacts
When we started diving deep into what we are feeding our bodies - through food and topical products circa 2011- we began to discover more and more seemingly innocent ingredients that are wreaking havoc on our systems. Enter: Citric Acid
Citric acid is a common ingredient in both food products and skincare formulations. It's prized for its tangy taste and ability to preserve and adjust the pH of products. But there’s a dark side to citric acid that you may not realize—its connection to mold. Keep reading to see why you will be shook by this ingredient - and why we are so careful to avoid it in our treatment room, our pantry, and our shop.
Citric Acid 101:
What Is It and Why We Need to Care
How Citric Acid Is Created
Citric acid is naturally found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges - sounds innocent, right? However, most citric acid used in commercial products is not extracted directly from these fruits. Instead, it’s produced through a fermentation process, typically using sugar sources such as glucose or sucrose. During fermentation, a mold called Aspergillus niger (a common fungus) breaks down these sugars and produces citric acid. ... A MOLD!
While the fermentation process is considered safe for industrial purposes, there’s a hidden risk: the presence of mold in the final citric acid product. That means that every product with Citric Acid on the ingredient panel contains mold when you purchase it.
The Mold Connection: Why It Matters
The fact that citric acid is produced using mold fermentation isn’t just a minor detail. The mold itself, Aspergillus niger, can produce toxic substances known as mycotoxins. These mycotoxins can remain in the final product, and their presence can pose risks, particularly for those who don’t consider themselves sensitive to mold. A little in your shampoo, a little in your creamer, a little in your electrolyte packet, a little in your salad dressing, a little in your skin care. All that little adds up to a lot for the body, lymphatic system, and liver to process. Enter: autoimmune disorder with no understanding of the root cause.
Don't get me started on all the detox drinks and supplements that are marketed to detox the body with citric acid in them ugggggg
The Takeaway:
Mold Exposure
Citric acid is made through mold fermentation with mold. It can trigger allergic reactions or exacerbate pre-existing mold sensitivities or cause sensitivities to develop.Mycotoxins
These toxic compounds are produced by mold and can accumulate in food and skincare products. Mycotoxins have been linked to various health issues and can disrupt the immune system.
Mold and Mycotoxins: The Impact
in Skincare Products
Citric acid is often used in skincare products for its exfoliating and pH-balancing properties. However, for those with sensitive skin or mold allergies, it can cause irritation. Consider this: According to research, the average percentage of chemicals absorbed through the skin is around 64% of the total contaminant applied. That means that 64% of these 'dirty' chemicals are making their way into your body's blood stream. That's significant. Here is what you might notice...
Skin Irritation: Citric acid’s exfoliating action can irritate the skin, leading to redness, itching, or breakouts. For individuals with mold sensitivities, this irritation could be worsened by mold residues.
Skin Barrier Disruption: Citric acid can strip away natural oils, leading to dryness and potentially damaging the skin’s barrier function. A compromised barrier increases vulnerability to mold exposure and environmental toxins.
Early Aging: Mold gets in the way of protein synthesis. This results in reduced elastin, keratin, and skeletal muscle. The end result? You lose tone - skin and muscle. Enter: wrinkles and creepy skin.
The quickest way to look older is to lose hair and hair daily mold exposure. Think of it like pac-man eating away at your collagen, elastin, and keratin.
in Food Products
Citric acid is commonly used in processed foods and beverages to add a sour flavor and preserve freshness. However, the mold connection is something you should be aware of. Eliminate mold from your environment and daily routine and keep your youth. Think about a pint of strawberries and how quickly mold can move through the entire container - this is happening on a celluar every time we add more to the viral load. Mold thrives in a warm moist environment. The body is just that. Don't make your body work harder. The elimination of these products is as easy as swapping things out. This is not to say you're never going to have exposure again but you have significantly lightened the burden.
Here's why eliminating it is essential:
Mold Contamination: Citric acid produced through mold fermentation can contain trace amounts of mycotoxins that may cause allergic reactions.
Digestive Issues: For some, consuming citric acid can trigger symptoms like bloating, nausea, or headaches, particularly if they have mold allergies or sensitivities.
Immune System Stress: Long-term exposure to mold byproducts, even in small amounts, can affect the immune system, potentially leading to chronic inflammation.
in Any Form
Mold exposure is no joke. It can silently wreck your body, mind, and (yes, we're still vain) beauty efforts. Here are other ailments tied to mold exposure...
Toxicity Overload: Long-term accumulation of mycotoxins in the body can lead to "toxic load," where the body becomes overwhelmed by toxins, affecting overall health, energy levels, and organ function.
Neurological Effects: Prolonged exposure to mycotoxins has been linked to cognitive and neurological problems, such as headaches, memory impairment, and difficulty concentrating (commonly referred to as "brain fog").
Respiratory Issues: Inhalation of mycotoxins, often from airborne mold spores, can contribute to respiratory conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, or other allergic reactions. Those with pre-existing conditions may experience heightened symptoms.
other symptoms:
Fatigue, Weakness, Numbness, Tingling
Aches, Muscle Cramps, Tremors
Unusual Pain
Ice Pick Pain, Headache, Light Sensitivity
Red Eyes, Blurred Vision, Tearing
Sinus Problems, Cough, Shortness of Breath
Abdominal Pain, Diarrhea
Joint Pain, Morning Stiffness
Memory Issues Focus/Concentration Issues, Word Recollection Issues, Decreased Learning of New Knowledge
Confusion, Disorientation, Vertigo
Skin Sensitivity
Mood Swings
Appetite Swings Sweats (especially night sweats), Excessive Thirst, Metallic Taste
Temperature Regulation or Dysregulation Problems
Increased Urination, Static Shocks
Citric acid may seem harmless, but its connection to mold makes it a highly questionable ingredient, especially when it’s used in skincare and food products. Mold exposure—whether through direct contact with your skin or ingestion—can have significant long-term impacts on your health. By being conscious of the citric acid you’re consuming and applying, you can reduce mold exposure, protect your immune system, and preserve the health and beauty of your skin.
For those seeking a cleaner, toxin-free lifestyle, avoiding citric acid is a small but important step toward protecting your wellness. Consider choosing products that emphasize mold-free, waterless, triple toxin tested, and have natural ingredients to keep both your body and skin in optimal health. We understand how hard it can be to totally eradicate unclean ingredients from your lifestyle. Which is why we preach moderation. Avoid these contaminants where you can - maybe in your pantry or on your vanity. But if your absolute must-have contains citric acid - don't feel like you've lost. We all have vices. Wellness is a journey - one step at a time. At least now, you can make informed choices about your rituals and when you're selecting new products. And if you ever have questions, we're here for them.
