The ingredient, explained

Tartaric Acid

Selected evidence concerns human topical experimental.

AHA exfoliantBufferingMasking

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Ingredient guide

What it is and what it does

2‚3-Dihydroxybutanedioic acid

About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗

AHA exfoliant: Alpha hydroxy acid category. Exfoliation depends on the acid, concentration, pH and the rest of the formula; an AHA may also be used to control pH.
Buffering: Helps resist changes in a formula's pH.
Masking: Reduces or conceals the formula's underlying odour or taste.

Function definitions: FDA: Alpha hydroxy acids ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗

Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.

A closer look

What the research shows

Human topical research

Tartaric-acid-treated sites had less water loss and redness after SLS challenge than vehicle and untreated sites.

What this does not tell us

Eleven healthy participants with an experimentally induced irritant challenge; not evidence for every concentration or routine product efficacy.

Sources for this summary. PubMed 9470910 ↗

Research review checked Oct 1, 2026

Bounded review of 1 local candidate titles, selected relevant local abstracts, and targeted primary-source web searches. Not an exhaustive systematic review.