The ingredient, explained
Disodium Edta
A published expert assessment examines cosmetic-use safety.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
Disodium EDTA is a chelating ingredient. It binds metal ions that could otherwise affect a formula's stability or appearance.
About this ingredient: CosIng identity and functions via Open Beauty Facts ↗ · European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗
- Chelating
- Binds metal ions that can affect product stability or appearance.
- Viscosity controlling
- Adjusts how thick or fluid a product is.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Safety assessment
The panel supported the described cosmetic uses while noting that chelation can alter penetration of other substances.
What this does not tell us
The conclusion is formulation-dependent and includes read-across among the explicitly listed salts. It is not a clinical efficacy result.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 12396676 ↗
Research review checked Oct 1, 2026
Bounded review of 1 local candidate records, selected relevant abstracts, and targeted exact-name primary-source searches. Not a systematic review.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Safety assessment
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 · 2002
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the Serenfold edit. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- DISODIUM EDTA
- CAS registry number
- 139-33-3 --- 6381-92-6
- EC number
- 205-358-3
Other recorded names (2)
- edetate disodium
- natrii edetas
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026
- European Commission ingredient function definitions ↗ · Recorded Sep 30, 2026