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Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

What Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate is & what it does

A biodegradable, amino-acid-derived chelator that binds metal ions to stabilize formulas and boost preservation. It is a greener alternative to EDTA.

What is Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate and what does it do in sunscreen?

It is a chelator, an ingredient that binds stray metal ions in a formula. Those trace metals can otherwise speed up spoilage, cause discoloration, and weaken the preservative system, so locking them up keeps the sunscreen stable and helps it stay fresh. It works quietly in the background and has no effect you can feel on the skin.

Is Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate safe?

Yes. It is a well-tolerated chelator used at very low levels and is widely regarded as a gentle, modern replacement for older chelators like EDTA. It works inside the formula rather than on the skin, so it is not a common source of irritation. It is also readily biodegradable, which is part of why formulators favor it.

Does Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate clog pores?

No. It is a water-soluble chelating salt used in tiny amounts, not an oil or wax, so it has no real potential to block pores. It is considered non-comedogenic. If a product is breaking you out, the richer emollients and oils elsewhere in the formula are far more likely the cause.

Is Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate a preservative?

No, though it is easy to confuse with one. It is a chelator that boosts how well the actual preservatives work by removing the metal ions that microbes and oxidation feed on. The preserving itself is done by ingredients like phenoxyethanol or ethylhexylglycerin; this one just makes their job easier.

What is Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate derived from?

It is derived from glutamic acid, a naturally occurring amino acid, which is why it is often described as a greener, more biodegradable chelator. The finished ingredient is produced in a lab, but its amino-acid backbone is part of what makes it break down readily in the environment. It is suitable for vegan formulas.

Sunscreens with Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate

We rate 202 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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