Ingredient glossary / Chelating agent
Tetrasodium EDTA
On the label: Tetrasodium EDTA · Chelating agent
What it is
The chelating agent used in soaps and alkaline products, where it keeps hard water from leaving scum.
Chelating agents: Chelating agents bind metal ions in the water so they do not spoil the product or weaken the preservative.
Wikidata: Chemical compound. Q27284152 →
In the research
3 PubMed papers mention it with skin, cosmetics or hair; the three most recent:
- EDTA and Salts · International journal of toxicology, 2023
- EDTA: An Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Agent for Use in Wound Care · Advances in wound care, 2015
- Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA, TEA-EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDT · International journal of toxicology, 2002
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on cells or mice says little about a cream on a face.
Products whose label lists it
2 on the siteMatched from the ingredient list the supplier printed; the position in the list (first or thirtieth) is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther chelating agents
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