CosmeticBet
Helpers (pH, solvents)

Disodium EDTA

INCI: DISODIUM EDTA · also Edetate disodium

A metal-binding helper that lasts long in the environment.

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C10H16N2O8292.24 g/mol
EDTA: the product holds it as its disodium salt
oxygennitrogencarbonhydrogen
3D shape from PubChem 6049

How common

All products12%
In sunscreens26%
In conditioners23%
In face moisturisers17%

1,762 of 14,784 products with a full ingredient list in Open Beauty Facts; No. 23 of all the names found on their labels.

What it is

  • A salt of EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid), a chelating agent: it binds metal ions, calcium among them.

    3 sourcesHide
    EDTA (ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid) and its salts are substituted diamines.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    These ingredients function as chelating agents in cosmetic formulations.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    because they will chelate calcium[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source

Why it is in products

  • As a chelating agent, and to help the preservatives work.

    2 sourcesHide
    These ingredients function as chelating agents in cosmetic formulations.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    EDTA is known for its synergy with several chemical preservatives[2] Study · 2018 · open source

What it does

  • It loosens the outer layer of bacteria, letting other germ-killing ingredients in.

    Some evidenceSourceHide
    it disrupts the external lipid layer of bacteria and increases the penetration of other antimicrobial compounds into the cell[2] Study · 2018 · open source

Downsides and safety

  • In clinical tests it was not absorbed through the skin, but it may let other chemicals into the skin more easily, because it binds calcium.

    Well established2 sourcesHide
    Clinical tests reported no absorption of an EDTA salt through the skin.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    These ingredients are likely, however, to affect the passage of other chemicals into the skin because they will chelate calcium.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source

  • The US expert panel found EDTA and its salts, disodium EDTA among them, safe as used; in 2023 it confirmed this for EDTA and certain salts.

    Well established3 sourcesHide
    Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel found that these ingredients are safe as used in cosmetic formulations[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source
    confirmed that EDTA and certain salts are safe as cosmetic ingredients in the practices of use and concentration as described in this report[3] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2023 · open source

  • It persists in the environment: EDTA can survive wastewater treatment and stay in natural waters, and a review recommends releasing as little of it into waters as possible.

    Good evidence2 sourcesHide
    EDTA can be extremely persistent in WWTP and also in natural waters[4] Review · 1997 · open source
    Thus, their release into natural waters should be minimized wherever possible.[4] Review · 1997 · open source

Where it works

Works insidethe product

In the product, where it binds metals and helps the preservatives.

SourceHide
These ingredients function as chelating agents in cosmetic formulations.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source

Rules

European Union

  • No EU limit: it is not on the regulation’s lists of banned or restricted substances, preservatives or UV filters.

    How we checkedHide
    We searched Annexes II to VI of the EU regulation (consolidated text of 18 May 2026): no entry.open the list

United States

  • Not on the FDA’s list of prohibited or restricted cosmetic ingredients. In the US, cosmetics and their ingredients (other than colour additives) don’t need FDA approval before sale.

    SourceHide
    Under U.S. law, cosmetic products and ingredients, other than color additives, do not need FDA approval before they go on the market[5] US Food and Drug Administration · open source
    We searched the FDA’s list of prohibited and restricted cosmetic ingredients: no entry.open the list

How much is used

  • Usually under 2% for EDTA, and less for its salts.

    SourceHide
    The typical concentration of use of EDTA is less than 2%, with the other salts in current use at even lower concentrations.[1] US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel · 2002 · open source

Sources

  1. Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA, TEA-EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, HEDTA, and trisodium HEDTA International journal of toxicology, 2002US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
  2. Cosmetics Preservation: A Review on Present Strategies Molecules : A Journal of Synthetic Chemistry and Natural Product Chemistry, 2018Study
  3. EDTA and Salts International journal of toxicology, 2023US Cosmetic Ingredient Review expert panel
  4. Environmental fate of EDTA and DTPA Sillanpää M, Reviews of environmental contamination and toxicology, 1997Review
  5. Prohibited & Restricted Ingredients in Cosmetics | FDA US Food and Drug Administration

Checked against these sources on 4 November 2026. Spot a mistake? Tell us.