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Trisodium EDTA

What Trisodium EDTA is & what it does

A chelator that binds trace metals to keep formulas stable and protect preservatives. It safeguards the product's quality over time.

What is Trisodium EDTA and what does it do in sunscreen?

Trisodium EDTA is a chelator, an ingredient that binds trace metal ions in a formula. Those stray metals can come from water or raw materials and quietly degrade a product over time. By locking them away, Trisodium EDTA keeps the sunscreen stable, helps preservatives work better, and protects the formula's quality through its shelf life.

Is Trisodium EDTA safe?

Yes. EDTA salts are widely used and well-tolerated cosmetic ingredients, included at very low levels to protect the formula rather than to act on the skin. They stay on the surface and are non-irritating for most people.

Does Trisodium EDTA clog pores?

No. It is a water-soluble ingredient used in tiny amounts to bind metals, not an oil or wax, so it has no pore-clogging behavior. Our data does not flag it as comedogenic, and it is suitable for all skin types.

Is Trisodium EDTA a preservative?

No, not on its own. Trisodium EDTA is a chelator, not a preservative, so it does not kill or stop microbes by itself. It does help the actual preservatives work more effectively by removing the trace metals that can interfere with them, which is why it often appears near them on a label.

What else is Trisodium EDTA called on an ingredient list?

On a label it appears as Trisodium EDTA, where EDTA is short for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. It is one of a family of EDTA salts (you may also see Disodium EDTA or Tetrasodium EDTA) used for the same metal-binding, formula-protecting purpose. It usually sits low on the ingredient list.

Sunscreens with Trisodium EDTA

We rate 229 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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