DISODIUM EDTA

📋 Quick facts

Description: DISODIUM EDTA — chelating agent, stabilizes formulations.

All Functions: chelating agent, stabilizes formulations

Quick Facts:

• Category: other
• Also Known As: edta dissodium, edta disódico

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• DISODIUM EDTA is a chelating agent—it binds to certain minerals and metals
• Used in skincare at concentrations below 2%
• Research shows it is not absorbed through skin in meaningful amounts
• Classified as safe for use in cosmetic formulations by expert review
• May affect how other chemicals penetrate the skin

⚗️ Chemical Overview

See also: Edetate Disodium (annotation moved to); Edetate Sodium (annotation moved to); Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (annotation moved to).

Source(s): PubChem, via PubChem

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

DISODIUM EDTA (also called Na2EDTA or disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate) belongs to a family of chelating agents—molecules that grab onto and bind metals and certain minerals. In skincare, it typically appears at concentrations under 2% (Int J Toxicol, 2002). Here’s what the science actually shows: #1: Skin absorption is minimal. Clinical testing found no meaningful absorption of EDTA salts through healthy skin (Int J Toxicol, 2002). #2: It’s not carcinogenic. While lab studies did find these ingredients were weakly genotoxic and cytotoxic at very high doses, they were not carcinogenic (Int J Toxicol, 2002). #3: It may alter skin permeability. Because EDTA chelates (binds to) calcium—a mineral important for skin barrier function—it could theoretically affect how easily other chemicals pass through skin.

This is why formulators are advised to be cautious when combining it with other ingredients (Int J Toxicol, 2002). One practical research application: DISODIUM EDTA has been studied in specialized eye gels (0.1% concentration) combined with antimicrobial agents to treat serious eye infections, where its chelating properties helped boost the effectiveness of the active treatment (Int J Pharm, 2019). However, this was a medical context, not cosmetic skincare. A note on mineral balance: Animal studies of a related calcium-EDTA compound showed it could increase urinary loss of zinc, copper, and manganese—essential minerals (Toxicology, 1992). This was observed with injectable dosing, not topical skincare application, but it highlights that chelating agents do interact with mineral metabolism systemically when absorbed.

Bottom line from expert review: the Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel determined DISODIUM EDTA is safe as currently used in cosmetic formulations, with typical exposure levels well below those shown to cause harm in animal studies (Int J Toxicol, 2002).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Lanigan RS et al. (2002). 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. Int J Toxicol.
• Cucina A et al. (2019). Dual 0.02% chlorhexidine digluconate – 0.1% disodium EDTA loaded thermosensitive ocular gel for Acanthamoeba keratitis treatment. Int J Pharm.
• Ibim SE et al. (1992). Depletion of essential elements by calcium disodium EDTA treatment in the dog. Toxicology.

🧴 Products Containing DISODIUM EDTA

• Balea Beauty Effect Tagescreme
• Sun Dance, Sundance Sonnenmilch 30 (hoch)
• CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS Brillance Hårfarge 872 Intense Red
• AgeDefy, P&G, Pantène, Pantène Pro-V, Pantène Pro-V Expert Collection, Pantène Pro-V expert, Procter & Gamble AgeDefy soin après-shampoing
• neutro derma Sapone latte di cocco
• douglas seathalasso
• cien cien bb crème
• Cien VitalBeauty Dia
• Cien Sun Kids spray solaire
• Cien After sun
• Cien Bronceador bifásico 30
• Sun Dance, Sundance Sonnencreme-Gel Sport
• Sundance Sonnenfluid matt LSF 30
• Protane Argan Oil of Morocco
• Unilever, Axe Shock, eau de glacier & menthe extrème
• RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
• Чистая линия фитотерапия Идеальная кожа
• АО "Ступинский химический завод" гель для бритья men ultra one
• Шампунь «Живая формула» (Лошадиная)
• Шампунь «Формула энергии» (Лошадиная)
• Zollider Zollider
• Carelax Carelax Inflame for Men
• CREAM SILK
• Ma Chérie Moisture Conditioner
• unilever, sure Original Dry
• Unilever, Rexona, Sure, Rexona Men, Rexona Men Sensitive, Sure Men MotionSense Sensitive
• Old Spice Whitewater
• Simple Regeneration Age Resisting Day Cream
• UNILEVER NORGE AS Tresemme Shampoo Color Revitalise 500ml
• Corsair Toiletries 2in1 Shampoo & Conditioner Despicable Me
• Tiger Moon Retinol Night Cream
• Natural insect repellent
• levia collagen and milk body lotion
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop ALMOND MILK & HONEY For Sensitive, Dry Skin
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop Spa wisdom Maroc Brume dernière touche fleur d’oranger
• Roots of strength body shop
• Dimple, Soft & Gentle Baby wipes fragrance free
• ion color defense
• hhh