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TEA-EDTA.

Valuable CAS 60544-70-9 / CHELATING

TEA-EDTA (Triethanolamine EDTA) is a chelating agent crucial for cosmetic formulation stability. It neutralizes metal ions in water and products, thereby preventing degradation, maintaining clarity, and enhancing preservative efficacy.

Summary

Chelating Agent Preservative Enhancer Product Stabilizer Penetration Enhancer

Science

Mechanism of Action

TEA-EDTA primarily functions by forming stable complexes with problematic metal ions like calcium, magnesium, and iron found in water and product formulations. This chelation prevents these ions from catalyzing undesirable reactions such as oxidation, maintaining product integrity, clarity, and fragrance stability. By sequestering metal ions that can destabilize emulsions or degrade active ingredients, it indirectly prolongs shelf-life and boosts the performance of other formulation components, including preservatives and antioxidants. Additionally, TEA-EDTA can improve foaming in hard water conditions and acts as a penetration enhancer, transiently disrupting the skin barrier to facilitate the absorption of other topical compounds.

Research

Clinical Evidence

High confidence
Effective range 0.1–2%
Optimal

2%

Key findings

  1. 01 Final report on the safety assessment of EDTA, calcium disodium EDTA, diammonium EDTA, dipotassium EDTA, disodium EDTA, TEA-EDTA, tetrasodium EDTA, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium EDTA, HEDTA, and trisodium HEDTA

Transparency

Dusting Analysis

Not commonly dusted

TEA-EDTA serves a well-defined functional role in formulation stability and is not typically used for superficial marketing claims without demonstrable efficacy.

The Formula

Formulation

Solubility
Water
Optimal pH 7 – 9
0 7 14

Stability

Optimal chelation efficiency and solubility for EDTA salts increase with pH, particularly above pH 8. While EDTA-calcium and EDTA-magnesium chelates are stable at neutral pH, their stability is reduced below pH 4-5. EDTA-iron chelates are pH-sensitive, precipitating above pH 8-9. A 0.5 M stock solution at pH 8.5 remains stable for months at 4°C.

Synergies

  • Preservatives (enhances efficacy)
  • Antioxidants (prevents metal-catalyzed oxidation)
  • Cleansing agents (improves foaming and cleaning in hard water)

Conflicts

  • Formulations sensitive to increased penetration of other active ingredients (due to its penetration enhancing property)

Safety

Safety Profile

CIR Status
Safe as used
Max tested
2%
Sensitization risk Low

The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel affirms TEA-EDTA's safety in cosmetic applications, noting minimal dermal absorption. Inhalation risks in aerosolized products were assessed and found to be below levels of concern for reproductive or developmental toxicity. Formulators should acknowledge its capacity to enhance the penetration of co-applied ingredients.

Your Skin

Skin Compatibility

Yes Normal
Yes Dry
Yes Oily
No Sensitive
Irritancy Low
Comedogenicity Low

Our Assessment

Verdict

Valuable

TEA-EDTA is a valuable chelating agent essential for maintaining product stability and clarity, indirectly benefiting skin by preserving the efficacy of other ingredients and potentially enhancing their delivery.

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