What is EDTA?

EDTA, the abbreviation of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, also known by other names, is an aminopolycarboxylic acid and a colourless, water-soluble solid. EDTA is produced as several salts, mainly disodium EDTA and calcium disodium EDTA. The defining quality of EDTA is the capacity to bind metal ions. It is widely used in personal care products as preservatives and foaming agent. EDTA can be found in almost all skin care treatments including lotions, creams, body wash, soap, shampoos, and conditioners.

Applications of EDTA

In cosmetics and personal care products, EDTA salts are used as a sequestering agent to improve their stability in air. As a preservative it helps prevent deterioration of the product, protects the fragrance, and prevents rancidity (common in products whose ingredients include water). It combines with metals such as calcium supplement, magnesium and iron to achieve foam or lather. EDTA also keeps precious metals from being deposited on your hair, skin and scalp.

In industry, EDTA is primarily used to sequester metal ions in aqueous solution. In the linen industry, it prevents metallic ion impurities from adjusting colors of dyed products. In the pulp and paper industry, EDTA prevents the ability of metal ions, especially Mn2+, from catalyzing the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide, which can be used in "chlorine-free bleaching". In a similar manner, EDTA is added to some food as a preservative or stabilizer to prevent catalytic oxidative decoloration, which is catalyzed by metal ions. In soft refreshments containing ascorbic acid and sodium benzoate, EDTA mitigates formation of benzene.

Is usually EDTA Safe?

Not merely is this chemical known for getting the job done, it’s already been deemed safe by the FDA for food and cosmetic apps. That's right; it’s safe enough to eat! In reference to cosmetic and personal care applications, it is not a skin irritant or sensitizer, nor is it a carcinogen (won't cause cancer). It results in very little skin transmission, so if found in your blood stream, it may be only in trace sums.