What it is
Ketoglutaric acid is a small dicarboxylic keto acid that occurs naturally as a key intermediate in the body's energy-producing citric acid cycle. In cosmetics it is used as a skin-conditioning agent and can also help adjust or buffer formula pH. In sun-care products it typically appears at low levels as a supporting conditioning ingredient.
Safety & warnings
At the low levels used in cosmetics, ketoglutaric acid is generally well tolerated. As an organic acid it can influence formula pH, and very acidic preparations could be mildly irritating to sensitive skin, though this depends on the finished product. It is not a recognized fragrance allergen.
Origin & sourcing
Typically manufactured synthetically or by fermentation for cosmetic use; the molecule itself is identical to the alpha-ketoglutarate that occurs naturally in metabolism.
Questions everyone asks
What is ketoglutaric acid?
It is a small keto acid, also called alpha-ketoglutaric acid, that occurs naturally in cellular metabolism and is used in cosmetics for conditioning and pH adjustment.
Is it an exfoliating acid?
It is used mainly as a conditioning and buffering agent rather than as a typical exfoliating acid, and it appears at low supporting levels.