8 ingredients
Chelating Agent
Explore all 8 ingredients in the Chelating Agent category. Learn about their benefits and find products that contain them.
Sodium Phytate
Sodium phytate is the sodium salt of phytic acid (inositol hexaphosphate), a naturally occurring compound found in seeds, grains, and legumes. In cosmetic formulations it functions as a chelating agent, binding to metal ions (iron, copper, calcium) present in water that would otherwise catalyse oxidation and cause product discolouration or degradation. It also has mild antioxidant properties due to its ability to sequester pro-oxidant metals.
Learn more →Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS) is a biodegradable chelating agent used in cosmetic formulations to neutralise metal ions (particularly copper and iron) that typically originate from water. By binding these metal ions, it extends product stability and shelf life. It is notably selective, targeting problematic metal ions while being less aggressive toward benign ones like calcium and magnesium.
Learn more →Phytic Acid
Phytic acid is a naturally occurring plant-derived compound (inositol hexaphosphate) found in seeds, grains, and legumes. Despite its name, it does not function as a chemical exfoliant; instead it acts primarily as a chelating agent, binding to metal ions (such as iron, copper, and calcium) that enter formulations via water, thereby stabilising products and preventing oxidative degradation. It also has antioxidant and mild skin-brightening properties, including documented depigmenting activity relevant to hyperpigmentation and melasma.
Learn more →Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate is a biodegradable chelating agent derived from the amino acid L-glutamic acid. It works by binding and neutralising metal ions (particularly iron and copper) present in water and raw materials, preventing formula degradation, discolouration, and rancidity. It is marketed as a greener, readily biodegradable alternative to traditional EDTA chelators, with comparable performance in stabilising cosmetic formulations.
Learn more →Trisodium
PARSING ARTIFACT: This entry is the first half of 'trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate' (EDDS), split during ingredient list parsing. See the 'ethylenediamine disuccinate' entry for full details. EDDS is a biodegradable chelating agent that neutralises metal ions in formulations to prevent degradation and discolouration.
Learn more →Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
PARSING ARTIFACT: This entry and the 'trisodium' entry are two halves of the same ingredient — trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS). EDDS is a biodegradable chelating agent derived from the amino acid L-aspartic acid. It neutralises metal ions (especially copper and iron) in cosmetic formulations, preventing formula degradation, discolouration, and rancidity. It is marketed as a greener, readily biodegradable alternative to EDTA.
Learn more →Sodium Gluconate
Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid, functioning primarily as a chelating agent and secondarily as a humectant in cosmetic formulations. It works by neutralising metal ions (particularly iron and copper) present in water and raw materials, preventing formula discolouration and rancidity of cosmetic oils over time. It also has mild humectant properties, helping skin retain moisture.
Learn more →Disodium EDTA
Disodium EDTA (disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate) is a chelating agent that binds and neutralises metal ions present in cosmetic formulations. These metal ions, typically introduced through water, can destabilise products and reduce the efficacy of preservatives. By sequestering these ions, disodium EDTA helps maintain product stability, clarity, and shelf life.
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