Tetrasodium
TYPE OF INGREDIENT
Chelator
COMMONLY FOUND IN
Cleansers, serums, creams
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF TETRASODIUM?
As a chelator, tetrasodium ensures products blend well by preventing clumping of metal ions. It has also been used to extend the shelf life of many products.
WHAT IS TETRASODIUM?
Tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent present in many cosmetic products.
IS TETRASODIUM SAFE FOR ALL SKIN TYPES AND TONES?
Tetrasodium is likely safe for all skin types and tones based on available data. However, there are reports of allergic contact dermatitis to tetrasodium, so it should be used with caution in patients who may have this reaction.
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Tetrasodium is contraindicated in those who have had a previous reaction to the product or its components. Otherwise, limited safety data on the product shows no major contraindications.
Sources:
- Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA. 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. Int J Toxicol. 2002;21 Suppl 2:95-142.
- Liou YL, Boyd A, Hylwa SA. What Is Tetrasodium Etidronate and How Is It Related to Formaldehyde?. Dermatitis. 2018;29(5):289-290.
- Marchesini R, Melloni E, Bottiroli G, et al. Topical administration of tetrasodium-meso-tetraphenyl-porphinesulfonate (TPPS): correlation between drug penetration and depth of necrosis in skin of nude mice following red light irradiation. Tumori. 1987;73(1):11-17.
- Sacchini V, Melloni E, Marchesini R, et al. Topical administration of tetrasodium-meso-tetraphenylporphinesulfonate (TPPS) and red light irradiation for the treatment of superficial neoplastic lesions. Tumori. 1987;73(1):19-23.
- Sánchez-Pedreño P, García-Bravo B, Frías-Iniesta J. Contact allergy to tetrasodium EDTA in a sunscreen. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;61(2):125-126.
Nishad Sathe, MD
Author
Nishad Sathe is a PGY-3 Internal Medicine/Dermatology resident at the University of Minnesota
