What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “Tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- TETRASODIUM EDTA
- CAS number
- 64-02-8
- EC number
- 200-573-9
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Tetrasodium 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.”
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 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Clarifying shampoos 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (6)
- Aussie Miracle Curls Shampoo Shampoo 15th of 20 names
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 14th of 39 names
- Aunt Jackie's Power Wash Intense Moisture Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 18th of 30 names
- Cécred Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub Clarifying shampoo 30th of 31 names
- PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 22nd of 26 names
- Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 18th of 38 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
- Disodium EDTA 38 labels
- Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 13 labels
- Caprylhydroxamic Acid 9 labels
- Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate 9 labels
- Sodium Gluconate 7 labels
- Phytic Acid 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.