Triethyl Citrate
Triethyl citrate is a lightweight, odourless ester commonly used in UK beauty products as a natural-feeling solvent, fixative and skin-conditioning agent. You’ll find it in everything from facial serums and moisturisers to hairsprays and deodorants because it helps ingredients mix smoothly and improves how products feel on the skin.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare, triethyl citrate works as an excellent solvent and plasticiser, helping to dissolve and evenly distribute fragrance, essential oils and active ingredients while giving a soft, non-greasy finish. It also acts as a film-forming agent in hair products, improving hold without stiffness, and functions as a mild deodorant ingredient by inhibiting the enzymes that break down sweat into odour-causing compounds.
Key benefits
- Improves product texture and spreadability
- Helps dissolve and stabilise fragrances and oils
- Provides a smooth, non-greasy skin feel
- Enhances hair-spray hold without crunchiness
- Contributes to a lightweight, quick-absorbing finish
- Supports even application of active ingredients
Best for
oily skin, combination skin, sensitive skin, acne-prone skin
Where it comes from
Triethyl citrate is produced by the esterification of citric acid, which is naturally derived from citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges, with ethanol.
Products with Triethyl Citrate
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Triethyl Citrate than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.