What it is
The register’s chemical name for it: “L-Aspartic Acid, N, N-bis(zarboxylatomethyl )-L-glutamate; Tetrasodium N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- TETRASODIUM GLUTAMATE DIACETATE
- CAS number
- 51981-21-6
- EC number
- 257-573-7
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate 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 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Clarifying shampoos without it
- Rinse-out conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Rinse-out conditioners without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Stylers 3 labels First five names: 0 of 3 Stylers without it
- Curl refreshers 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Curl refreshers without it
Every label, product by product (13)
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Shampoo Shampoo 11th of 22 names
- OLAPLEX No.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 39th of 55 names
- Camille Rose Clean Rinse Clarifying Shampoo Clarifying shampoo 30th of 34 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 18th of 30 names
- Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditioner 33rd of 41 names
- tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep conditioner 16th of 29 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Deep Hydration Mask Deep conditioner 17th of 30 names
- tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 21st of 34 names
- tgin Curl Bomb Moisturizing Styling Gel Styler 14th of 27 names
- Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Fragrance & Protein Free Defining Cream Styler 9th of 12 names
- Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel Styler 24th of 29 names
- PATTERN Hydrating Mist Curl refresher 29th of 52 names
- Curlsmith Shake & Shine Curl refresher 38th of 51 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
- 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.