Disodium EDTA: Essential Chelating Agent for Your Formulations

Disodium EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) is a powerful chelating agent widely used in cosmetic formulations to enhance product stability and performance. By binding with metal ions commonly found in water and other raw materials, Disodium EDTA helps prevent the degradation of active ingredients, improves preservative efficacy, and enhances product clarity and texture. This versatile ingredient is especially useful in formulations like lotions, shampoos, cleansers, and masks.

What is EDTA?

EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid) is a chelating agent, meaning it binds with metal ions in a process known as sequestration. Metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper are naturally present in tap water and raw ingredients, and they can negatively affect the stability and appearance of cosmetic formulations. When left unchecked, these ions can lead to spoilage, discoloration, rancidity, and reduced effectiveness of preservatives. EDTA prevents these issues by sequestering the ions, ensuring a stable and high-performing product.

Disodium EDTA is one of the most commonly used forms of EDTA in cosmetics, chosen for its excellent solubility in neutral to mildly acidic formulations. It is effective in water-based products and helps maintain formula integrity, particularly in challenging water conditions or when using natural or active ingredients that can be sensitive to metal contamination.

Key Benefits

• Water Softening: Disodium EDTA binds with metal ions, “softening” water. This action prevents mineral buildup and ensures that other ingredients, like surfactants and preservatives, function optimally.
• Enhanced Stability: By sequestering metal ions, Disodium EDTA helps prevent oxidation, rancidity, discoloration, and fragrance degradation, leading to longer-lasting, stable formulations.
• Synergy with Preservatives: Works synergistically with preservatives to enhance their efficacy. By binding metal ions, it prevents them from destabilizing preservatives, ensuring better protection against microbial growth.
• Prevents Product Degradation: Helps preserve the texture, fragrance, and color of formulations by preventing metal ions from interacting with key ingredients.
• Shelf Life Extension: Disodium EDTA ensures product longevity by binding metal ions that nourish microbes, helping to extend shelf life and maintain product integrity over time.

INCI Name: Disodium EDTA

Recommended Usage :0.1-0.4%

CAS Number: 139-33-3

Appearance: White, free-flowing powder

Solubility: Soluble in water

Optimal pH: Best suited for formulations with a neutral to mildly acidic pH (3.5 to 7.0)

Suggested Uses

Disodium EDTA is suitable for a wide range of cosmetic and personal care products, including:

• Cleansers & Body Washes: Improves the performance of surfactants by reducing the interference caused by metal ions. Enhances foam stability and rinsability.
• Lotions & Creams: Maintains product stability by preventing the oxidation of oils, fragrances, and vitamins, keeping your product fresh and effective.
• Shampoos & Conditioners: Prevents mineral buildup in hair care products, helping to improve lather, texture, and rinsability. It also prevents the degradation of surfactants in hard water.
• Facial Masks & Serums: Helps retain the potency of active ingredients, particularly in formulations that use metal-sensitive ingredients like Vitamin C or AHA/BHA acids.

Usage Instructions

• Recommended Use: Add Disodium EDTA at a usage rate of 0.1% to 0.4% to your formulations.
• Incorporation: For optimal results, dissolve Disodium EDTA in the water phase at the start of the formulation process. It can take 15–30 minutes (or longer, depending on concentration) to fully dissolve. This ensures maximum efficacy and prevents any metal contamination from the beginning of the process.
• Formulation Tip: In products like creams or lotions, Disodium EDTA won’t create a gritty texture even if not fully dissolved. For clear formulations such as serums or gels, consider using Tetrasodium EDTA for faster solubility and clarity.
• pH Compatibility: Disodium EDTA is most effective in formulations with a pH range of 3.5 to 7.0. For formulations with a higher pH or where water solubility is critical, Tetrasodium EDTA may be a better choice.

Additional Information About Disodium EDTA

Disodium EDTA is an indispensable tool for formulators. Its role as a chelating agent helps control metal ions, particularly in formulations using plant-based extracts, oils, and other natural ingredients that are prone to oxidation and degradation. The inclusion of Disodium EDTA can prevent yellowing, unwanted texture changes, and even the loss of key functional properties in cosmetics over time.

• Common Uses in Personal Care: Besides being a critical ingredient in skincare products, Disodium EDTA is also commonly found in hair dyes, hand soaps, bath products, and more. Its ability to improve product stability makes it a must-have in formulations with active ingredients that may degrade over time.
• Environmental Impact: Though EDTA is not biodegradable, its usage is typically low, and it has been found to have a low environmental footprint when used in personal care formulations.

Storage and Safety

Storage

• Optimal Storage Conditions: Store Disodium EDTA in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and moisture.
• Packaging: Ensure the product is stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent contamination and exposure to humidity.
• Temperature Range: Recommended storage temperature is between 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
• Shelf Life: When stored properly, Disodium EDTA has a shelf life of 24 months from the date of manufacture.

Safety

• External Use Only: Disodium EDTA is intended for use in cosmetic formulations only and should not be ingested or used internally.
• Irritation Risk: This ingredient is generally non-irritating at the recommended usage levels. However, individuals with sensitive skin should conduct a patch test before widespread use.
• Handling: Avoid direct contact with eyes and skin during handling. In case of contact, rinse thoroughly with water.
• Precautions: Use in well-ventilated areas and wear protective gear, such as gloves and goggles, if working with large quantities or concentrated solutions.

Why Choose Disodium EDTA from Natural Bulk Supplies?

At Natural Bulk Supplies, we provide Disodium EDTA of the highest quality, ensuring that your formulations maintain their efficacy and performance. Whether you’re formulating cleansers, lotions, shampoos, or serums, our Disodium EDTA offers enhanced product stability, helping you create high-performance, long-lasting products.

• High-Purity Chelating Agent: Ensures optimal metal ion control for maximum formulation stability.
• Versatile Ingredient: Suitable for use in a wide variety of formulations, from skincare to haircare.
• Extended Shelf Life: Helps prolong product integrity and efficacy, making your formulations more robust over time.