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Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

What Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is & what it does

A readily biodegradable chelator that binds metal ions to keep formulas stable and protect preservatives. It is an eco-friendly alternative to EDTA.

What does Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate do in sunscreen?

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is a chelating agent. It binds trace metal ions from water or packaging so they cannot destabilise the formula or weaken its preservatives. This keeps a sunscreen stable and effective. It is often chosen as a readily biodegradable, eco-friendly alternative to EDTA.

Is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate safe?

Yes, at the small amounts used in cosmetics. It is a mild chelator that stays largely on the surface of the skin and is not considered irritating at typical use levels. Its role is to protect the formula rather than to act on the skin.

Does Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate clog pores?

No. It is a water-soluble ingredient used in very small amounts and is not comedogenic. It works within the water phase of the formula and leaves nothing on skin that could block pores.

Is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate a preservative?

No. It is a chelator, not a preservative, though it helps the preservative system work by removing the metal ions that microbes and oxidation depend on. The preserving itself is done by dedicated ingredients elsewhere in the formula; this one just supports them.

Is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate better for the environment than EDTA?

It is generally seen that way. Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate is readily biodegradable, which is the main reason formulators pick it over the older, more persistent EDTA chelators. It does the same stabilising job while breaking down more easily in the environment.

What else is Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate called?

On a label it appears under its INCI name, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, sometimes abbreviated to trisodium EDDS. It is a chelating agent, so it sits low on the ingredient list near the preservatives it helps protect.

Sunscreens with Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

We rate 311 sunscreens that contain it, showing the top 10 by overall score:

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