Potassium Hydrogen Tartrate, 1 kg

Product description: Cream of tartar, potassium hydrogen tartrate (AD603)

Cream of tartar shifts the pH of the water phase into the acidic range and at the same time binds trace metal ions that enter the formula from water and raw materials. Chemically it is potassium hydrogen tartrate, the potassium salt of tartaric acid. It has both food-grade and cosmetic-grade quality, so it is equally useful in cosmetic production and in the kitchen.

The raw material of European origin is GMO-free, readily biodegradable, and according to CLP regulation is not classified as hazardous.

What cream of tartar does in a formulation

• pH regulator – shifts the pH of aqueous formulas into the acidic range. As an acid salt it changes pH gradually, so the value is easier to fine-tune.
• Chelating agent – binds metal ions from water and raw materials so they do not act freely in the finished product.
• Stabiliser – helps maintain an acidic environment in which many active ingredients and preservatives are more stable.
• Thickener – contributes to a denser, more compact consistency.

Use in formulation

It belongs in the water phase. It dissolves poorly in water and not at all in alcohol, so it is recommended to pre-mix it in a small amount of water before incorporating it into the formula. In powder products it is mixed with the dry ingredients without prior dissolution.

Dosage ranges from 0.5 – 5 % depending on the function it is to fulfil in the formula. It is intended for formulas with an acidic pH; the recommended pH value of the formulation is around 3.4. It is suitable for both rinse-off and leave-on products.

Suitable for products such as

• Toners, facial waters and other aqueous products with an acidic pH, where it adjusts pH and simultaneously binds metal ions.
• Acidic hair rinses that restore a lower pH to the hair and scalp after washing.
• Powder blends, in which it contributes to the compactness of the mass.

What is worth knowing

• It is not suitable for alcohol-based formulas. It is insoluble in alcohol; in a toner with a higher alcohol content it would remain as a sediment.
• It is intended for formulas with an acidic pH. In alkaline systems it loses its purpose as a pH regulator.
• Verify compatibility with specific active ingredients and the preservative system in the finished formulation.

Frequently asked questions