Cream of Tartar

Functional, Actives & Additives

Potassium Bitartrate, KHC₄H₄O₆

Cream of tartar, potassium bitartrate,is a naturally occurring acid salt that forms as a byproduct of wine fermentation, depositing as a byproduct of wine fermentation, depositing as crystals on the inside of wine barrels. It has been used in cooking for centuries as a leavening aid, a stabilizer, and an acid component in various preparations. In personal care formulation it serves as a mild acid that can be used alongside baking soda in bath and shower formulas to contribute to the fizzing reaction and to help manage the pH of the finished product.

In our bath fizzy and shower steamer formulas, cream of tartar provides a secondary acid source alongside citric acid, contributing to a more complex, sustained fizzing action and helping to create a firmer, more stable pressed product.

How It Works

Like citric acid, cream of tartar reacts with baking soda in the presence of water to produce carbon dioxide,contributing to the fizzing action that characterizes bath and shower fizzy products. Its reaction rate is slightly different from citric acid, which can help create a more sustained, layered fizz rather than a single rapid burst. It also contributes to the structural integrity of pressed powder formulas, helping bath bombs and shower steamers hold their shape during storage and handling before use.

For external use only. The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.