Tartaric Acid: what it is in skincare
A grape-derived acid that helps with gentle exfoliation and supports a balanced product pH.
What it does
Function: exfoliant (AHA) / pH adjuster. Chemical exfoliants loosen dead surface cells for smoother, clearer-looking skin. K-beauty tends to favour low, gentle, gradual percentages.
- sun-sensitizing
- sensitive-skin-caution
How to spot it on a label
On a Korean product's INCI list, look for Tartaric Acid. Ingredients are listed high-to-low by amount, so its position hints at how much is in the formula. See all exfoliants (aha/bha/pha) →
Explore the full K-beauty hub →✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed 2026-06-21.
General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.