Trisodium EDTA

* A chelating agent

Functions:

Trisodium EDTA is a salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, and is used in cosmetics and personal care products as a chelating agent with the ability to bind to metal ions (Wikipedia). This property allows Trisodium EDTA to assist in preventing the deterioration of formulas, maintaining clarity, protecting fragrance compounds, and preventing rancidity. It can also counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the metal ions and deactivating them, preventing their drying action by disabling the metals' ability to leave a residue on the skin or hair. Trisodium EDTA can also "form complexes with calcium, magnesium, and iron, which allows for better foaming and cleaning performance of cosmetics and personal care products" (CosmeticsInfo.org).

Trisodium EDTA is found in a wide variety of skin and hair care products, including moisturizers, skin care and cleansing products, personal cleanliness products, bath soaps, shampoos and conditioners, hair dyes, and hair bleaches. Trisodium EDTA is CIR approved.

Safety Measures/Side Effects:

Trisodium EDTA is considered a low hazard ingredient by the Cosmetics Database. Although the EWG notes that Trisodium EDTA may enhance penetration abilities, the CIR found that this ingredient was not well absorbed by the skin, according to RealSelf.com. It is not considered an irritant, sensitizer or carcinogen, although "Because these ingredients bind metals required for normal cell division, some studies that indicated that these compounds were weakly mutagenic. Some studies showed reproductive and developmental effects following oral exposure to large doses of metal chelators, likely an effect of the binding of metals required for normal reproduction and development."

Recommended Products w/ Trisodium EDTA:

Kose Seikisho Facial Cleansing Mousse, Preventin Age Spot Treatment, YSL Teint Parfait, Hydropeptide Eye Extreme Dark Circle Concentrate, Frederic Fekkai Marine Summer Hair Beach Waves, Guinot Tres Homme Longue Vie Homme, Smashbox Halo Hydrating Perfecting Powder, Frederic Fekkai Technician Conditioner for Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair