Trisodium HEDTA ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is a chelating agent that binds trace metal ions in water-based formulas. It helps stabilize color, fragrance, texture, and preservative performance by reducing metal-catalyzed degradation.
What does Trisodium HEDTA do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is a chelating agent that binds trace metal ions in water-based formulas. It helps stabilize color, fragrance, texture, and preservative performance by reducing metal-catalyzed degradation.
Is Trisodium HEDTA clean?
Clean-beauty frameworks usually view it less favorably than newer readily biodegradable chelators because of persistence and metal-mobilization concerns. Skin irritation is typically low at normal chelator levels, so the main issue is environmental profile rather than direct skin tolerance.
Is Trisodium HEDTA sustainable?
This material is synthetic and commonly associated with petrochemical feedstocks. It is not readily biodegradable and can pass through wastewater systems while keeping metals soluble.
Is Trisodium HEDTA COSMOS-approved?
It is generally not permitted under COSMOS natural or organic standards for cosmetic use. Its Green Chemistry fit is weak because it is synthetic, persistent, and less biodegradable than preferred alternatives such as sugar-derived or fermentation-derived chelators.
How does Trisodium HEDTA work chemically?
The molecule is a polyaminocarboxylate salt with multiple carboxylate binding sites and an alcohol donor, which gives it strong affinity for calcium, magnesium, iron, and other trace metals. It is used at low levels in water-based products, often around 0.05% to 0.2%, and remains functional across a broad cosmetic pH range.
Last updated 2026-05-13