Chelating agent

Chelating agents play an essential role in cosmetic products' stability, safety, and efficacy. They form complexes with metal ions and thus reduce water hardness, potentiate antioxidants and preservatives, and stabilize peroxides in specialized formulations.

Metal ions react with oxygen in the air to create free radicals and other reactive species that can change a product's color, odor, or other physical properties. Even a tiny quantity of metal ions may catalyze unnecessary reactions and processes in the formulation.

Chelating agents enhance the efficiency of preservatives, especially biocides, which are incorporated into formulas to eliminate microorganisms responsible for product spoilage. Chelators can improve the activity of preservatives and allow formulators to decrease their concentrations in formulas.

Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions are mainly responsible for water hardness, which decreases detergents' (surfactants) cleansing performance. Chelating agents trap those ions, making the water softer and improving cleansing agents' effectiveness.

In peroxide-containing products, chelating agents act as stabilizers, preventing peroxide decomposition and side reactions caused or catalyzed by metal ions. They enhance peroxide stability and prolong the product's shelf life.