What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- DISODIUM EDTA
- CAS number
- 139-33-3 --- 6381-92-6
- EC number
- 205-358-3
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Disodium EDTA in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Chelating
-
Binds metal ions, such as those in hard water, so they don’t spoil the product. Clarifying shampoos often list one.
Register definition: “Forming complexes with metal ions which could affect the stability and/or appearance of cosmetics.”
- Viscosity controlling
-
Makes a product thicker or thinner, so a gel holds its shape or a shampoo pours. Gums, cellulose and some salts carry this role.
Register definition: “Increasing or decreasing the viscosity (thickness) of cosmetics.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 6 labels First five names: 0 of 6 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 4 labels First five names: 0 of 4 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 5 labels First five names: 0 of 5 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 12 labels First five names: 0 of 12 Stylers without it
- Protein treatments 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Protein treatments without it
- Heat protectants 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Heat protectants without it
- Curl refreshers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (38)
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo Shampoo 12th of 31 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 20th of 37 names
- The Doux SUCKA FREE Moisturizing Shampoo Shampoo 18th of 23 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo Shampoo 33rd of 41 names
- Rizos Curls Hydrating Shampoo Shampoo 18th of 22 names
- PATTERN Hydration Shampoo Shampoo 35th of 42 names
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 10th of 39 names
- DevaCurl Buildup Buster Clarifying shampoo 10th of 22 names
- Malibu C Un-Do-Goo Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 11th of 16 names
- PATTERN Cleansing Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 24th of 34 names
- Aussie Miracle Curls Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 12th of 16 names
- Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 17th of 22 names
- tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 26th of 33 names
- PATTERN Medium Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 30th of 38 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 25th of 26 names
- DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditioner 21st of 41 names
- Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Creme Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 31st of 33 names
- Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditioner 50th of 50 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 21st of 37 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Leave-In Leave-in conditioner 18th of 25 names
- PATTERN Curl Gel Styler 21st of 38 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Fragrance & Protein Free Sculpting Gel Styler 7th of 12 names
- DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel Styler 13th of 22 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Defining Cream Styler 16th of 25 names
- TRESemmé Bouncy Curls Air Dry Foam Styler 11th of 17 names
- Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Strong Hold Gel Styler 10th of 15 names
- Kristin Ess Sea Salt Air Dry Mousse Styler 36th of 47 names
- Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Curl Cream Styler 24th of 30 names
- Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel Styler 25th of 29 names
- Aussie Miracle Curls Frizz Free Curl Cream Styler 22nd of 25 names
- Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse Styler 15th of 16 names
- The Doux MOUSSE DEF Texture Foam Styler 17th of 17 names
- ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor Protein treatment 18th of 44 names
- Curl Junkie Repair Me! Reconstructive Hair Treatment Protein treatment 17th of 22 names
- ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment Protein treatment 24th of 29 names
- Mielle Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray Heat protectant 18th of 28 names
- TRESemmé Protecting Heat Styling Spray Heat protectant 19th of 29 names
- PATTERN Hydrating Mist Curl refresher 28th of 52 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other chelating ingredients on these labels
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 13 labels
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid 9 labels
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate 9 labels
- Sodium Gluconate 7 labels
- Phytic Acid 6 labels
- Tetrasodium EDTA 6 labels
- Gluconolactone 5 labels
- Calcium Gluconate 4 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.