Tetrasodium EDTA Powder

Tetrasodium EDTA Powder — Chelating Agent for Cosmetic Formulations

Tetrasodium EDTA is a high-performance chelating agent that binds and neutralizes hard water minerals (calcium, magnesium, iron) that would otherwise destabilize your formulations, reduce preservative efficacy, and cause soap scum. Whether you're crafting your first foaming cleanser or optimizing a complex emulsion system, this ingredient quietly does the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

Why Formulators Choose Tetrasodium EDTA

• Boosts preservative efficacy — works synergistically with broad-spectrum preservatives by disrupting microbial cell walls, allowing preservatives to penetrate more effectively
• Improves lather quality — counteracts the defoaming action of hardness ions in soap and surfactant systems, resulting in richer, creamier foam
• Reduces soap scum — sequesters calcium and magnesium ions that cause residue on skin and surfaces
• Anhydrous-friendly — can be used in low-water or dry formulations where total water content must be minimized
• pH adjustment utility — effective for neutralizing Carbomer and raising the pH of personal care formulations

Tetrasodium EDTA vs. Disodium EDTA — Which Do You Need?

Tetrasodium EDTA (pH 10.5–11.5 in solution) is ideal for alkaline systems: foaming cleansers, liquid soaps, shampoos, and high-pH formulations. Disodium EDTA (pH below 7) is better suited for acidic to neutral systems: creams, lotions, and hair conditioners. Choosing the right form ensures you're not fighting your own pH balance.

How to Use

• Incorporation: Dissolve in the water phase before combining with other ingredients
• Recommended Usage Rate: 0.1% for preservative efficacy enhancement; up to 0.5% in challenging hard-water formulations
• Solubility: Water-soluble; dissolves readily in warm water
• pH Effect: Will raise the pH of your formulation — account for this when targeting a specific final pH

Formulation Details

Suggested Formulas & Pairings

Tetrasodium EDTA pairs well with:

• Foaming cleansers & liquid soaps — combine with surfactants like Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate (SLSA) for improved lather stability in hard water
• Preservative systems — use alongside broad-spectrum preservatives such as Phenoxyethanol & Ethylhexylglycerin or Optiphen Plus to enhance microbial protection
• Carbomer gels — use to neutralize Carbomer and achieve target viscosity in gel formulations
• Shampoos & body washes — add to the water phase to protect fragrance and colour stability

Example usage: In a foaming hand wash, add 0.1% Tetrasodium EDTA to the water phase, then incorporate your surfactant blend and 0.8–1% preservative. The chelator will support preservative performance and improve foam quality in hard water conditions.

All products sold are cosmetic grade. For external use only. Intended for cosmetic and personal care formulations.