Citric Acid for Hair
So many undesirable hair conditions can be traced back to damage from heat, calcium deposits and chemical or lightening processes. Is your hair feeling dry, coarse, brittle, dull or tangled? It could be time to treat your strands to a targeted hair care regimen. While many methods promise to support damaged hair, Kérastase hair care experts have identified citric acid as one of the most powerful ingredients for this purpose. This naturally occurring organic acid is derived from citrus fruits and can be harnessed in hair care to penetrate the hair cortex to strengthen strands from within. Read on for our breakdown of citrus acid for hair and its role in clarifying hair care.
Citric acid in hair products
Citric acid falls into the alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) family and is one of few molecules small enough to penetrate the hair cortex – the most substantial layer of hair that sits beneath the protective cuticle. This potent ingredient is known to penetrate the entire hair fibre1 to strengthen and reinforce from the inside out, thanks to its unique structural makeup. These properties make citric acid an excellent candidate for re-strengthening and supporting damaged hair. In hair products, citric acid can be formulated into an acidic formula as a pre-shampoo treatment, or in your usual lineup of shampoo, conditioner and hair serums and oils to bolster hair fortitude.
1L’Oréal ‘FG/CP-93-04’, localisation of radiolabelled citric acid 14C after application of a simplex solution (10%, 15 minutes’ application time, rinsing) on sensitised hair. Autohistoradiography on cross sections of hair.
The benefits of citric acid for hair
This ingredient works deep within the hair cortex to boost fibre strength, and this results in numerous visible benefits of citric acid for hair:
• Smooths hair texture: citric acid works within the cortex to reinforce strands and improve texture.
• Adds shine: smoothed hair texture allows strands to reflect light, giving a glossy, healthy-looking effect.
• Improves strand elasticity: strengthened strands show improved elasticity, with less breakage and split ends.
• Softens hair: with improved hair texture comes a softer feel, as hair is adequately nourished and resistant to breakage.
• Reduces frizz: surface frizz is reduced for curly hair types, even in high humidity conditions.
What is a clarifying shampoo?
You’ll most often find citric acid formulated into hair care geared towards clarification as this function pairs well with citric acid’s properties. But if you haven’t used one in your hair care ritual, you may be wondering what a clarifying shampoo is. Clarifying shampoos utilise potent ingredients like citric acid to eliminate build-up on the hair and scalp from hair care products or hard water. They work more deeply within the scalp moisture barrier and hair shaft than a traditional shampoo to leave you with extra refreshed-feeling, softer and shinier hair.
How to build a citric acid hair routine for damaged hair
You can support damaged hair by adding citric acid into your weekly ritual. For the most effective results, we recommend layering the four-step regimen outlined below. The Kérastase Première collection features four expertly formulated, citric acid-infused products at the forefront of our hair care research. Supporting damaged hair isn’t easy, as the keratin links within strands must be reinforced in order to recreate hair’s original strength. With citric acid’s benefits for the hair, you can profoundly support strands and target the signs of damage to unlock shiny, silky, glossy locks.
Step 1: Pre-shampoo treatment
When it comes to citric acid in hair products, a pre-shampoo treatment is an effective starting point. Used as a standalone step, a pre-shampoo treatment imbued with citric acid will help to refine the surface of strands while imparting citric acid benefits for hair deep inside the fibre. However, Kérastase hair care experts recommend layering your citric acid hair care regimen for the most visible, beautiful results.
Begin with Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur – our repairing pre-shampoo treatment for all types of damaged hair, powered by 8% citric acid and glycine. Our repairing pre-shampoo treatment helps to recreate 99% of hair’s original strength* when used in a complete Première routine. and gives 75% more shine**. Apply generously to wettened hair lengths prior to shampoo and massage into strands for absorption. Leave on for 5 minutes and don’t rinse – this citric acid for hair treatment will be layered with the next step.
**Instrumental test after application of the pre-shampoo.
Step 2: Repairing shampoo
With the pre-shampoo treatment still applied to lengths of hair, move onto a citric acid-infused shampoo. For a repairing hair care ritual, a shampoo that cleanses and clarifies gently while powerfully targeting breakage will help support your hair goals. We suggest following with Bain Décalcifiant Rénovateur, our repairing shampoo that works to dramatically repair for 73% shiner and 93% stronger hair*. Apply to still-wet hair over the pre-shampoo treatment, and massage to emulsify. Rinse to remove all residual product.
*Instrumental test after application of the shampoo
Step 3: Repairing conditioner
Next, support hair’s resilience with a citric acid-powered, repairing conditioner. We formulated Fondant Fluidité Réparateur for this purpose: to nourish, strengthen and soften damaged hair with added citric acid and glycine. Apply to the jelly-like texture to shampooed hair, then massage through lengths and ends. Leave in for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse to enjoy a softer, stronger mane that’s more resilient to damage.
Step 4: Hair serum or oil
Complete your citric acid for hair regimen with a finishing oil or serum. This step will assist with locking in moisture and preventing frizz until your next wash. A lightweight serum formulation may be preferred for fine hair types, or layered beneath an oil for additional nourishment. Smooth Première Serum Filler Fondamental through hair lengths to soften hair and impart 72 hour anti-frizz protection* with our lasting Portofino Summer scent to lightly fragrance your locks. Finish with, or instead reach for a shine-giving hair oil like Huile Gloss Réparatrice for 92% less split ends**, applying 1-2 pipettes to damp or dry hair.
*Instrumental test after application of the serum.
**Instrumental test after application of the Huile
You’ve learned the plethora of citric acid’s benefits for hair – next, discover what a hair serum is and how it can help you reach your hair goals.
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