Citric acid can help extend the life of a personal care product by adjusting the pH and by chelating metal ions. 

It can’t, however, protect products from microbes. 

There isn’t! As long as you’re applying the proper amount, 2 mg/cm², you’ll get the SPF on the label. 

“Our lab is focused on three areas. First, we are looking at how immune-related changes in old blood contribute to impairments in neural stem cell function and associated cognitive functions.

Second, we are looking at the contribution of the innate immune system to age-related impairments in synaptic plasticity and cognitive function.

Third, we are looking at how exposure to young blood rejuvenates neural stem cell function, synaptic plasticity and cognitive function in the old brain.

Ultimately, our goal is to elucidate cellular and molecular mechanisms that promote brain rejuvenation as a means by which to combat age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction.”

I posted about a team of scientists discovering how to untangle proteins a few days ago, well one of the chemists is doing an AMA on Reddit today! 

This could lead to new treatment methods for diseases that are caused by deformed proteins, such as Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s.

On the beauty side of things, collagen and other connective proteins in the skin permanently denatures and deforms as it ages and is exposed to UV as well, we may one day be able to reform those collagen proteins into their “youthful” form!

A common concern on /r/SkinCareAddiction is the mixing of two incompatible ingredients.

Vitamin C (in the form of ascorbic acid) and niacinamide work best at different pHs.  The combination of the two in the same product can cause niacinamide to break down into a form that causes skin flushing.

Applying one product with Vitamin C and then one with niacinamide (and vice-versa) isn’t a problem though.