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Tetrasodium EDTA

What Tetrasodium EDTA is & what it does

A chelating agent that binds metal ions, improving a formula's stability, clarity, and preservative performance. It has no direct skin effect.

What does Tetrasodium EDTA do in sunscreen?

Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It binds trace metal ions from water or packaging that would otherwise destabilise a formula, cause discolouration, or weaken the preservative system. The result is a clearer, more stable sunscreen that keeps working as intended. It has no direct effect on the skin itself.

Is Tetrasodium EDTA safe?

Yes, at the tiny amounts used in cosmetics. It is a well-reviewed chelator that stays largely on the surface of the skin and is not considered irritating at typical use levels. Its job is purely to keep the formula stable, not to act on skin.

Does Tetrasodium EDTA clog pores?

No. It is a water-soluble ingredient used in very small amounts and is not comedogenic. It dissolves into the water phase of a formula and does not leave any pore-blocking residue.

Is Tetrasodium EDTA a preservative?

Not exactly. Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelator, not a preservative, but it supports the preservative system by mopping up metal ions that microbes and oxidation reactions rely on. The actual preserving is done by ingredients like phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin; Tetrasodium EDTA just makes them work better.

Is Tetrasodium EDTA natural?

No, it is fully synthetic, a lab-made chelating agent with no natural source. It is used in tiny amounts to keep a formula stable and clear, a job natural alternatives struggle to match, so synthetic is not a drawback here.

Sunscreens with Tetrasodium EDTA

We rate 312 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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