Trisodium NTA Middel Chelating Agent No known benefits Trisodium NTA at a glance Synthetic chelating agent Helps ensure product efficacy Also helps protect skin from metal ions Considered safe as used in cosmetics Trisodium NTA description Trisodium NTA is a synthetic chelating agent made from a salt derivative of the chelating solid, nitrilotriacetic acid—that’s where the “NTA” part comes from. This ingredient chelates (bonds to) metal ions in cosmetics that would otherwise cause stability, efficacy, and/or aesthetic issues. Trisodium NTA is also used as a sequestering agent, essentially an offshoot of chelation in that it helps protect cosmetics from unwanted color changes and lends support to surfactants in products like cleansers or shampoos. Use levels of trisodium NTA are typically 5% or lower, depending on formulary needs and concurrent use of other chelating agents. 0.1–1% use levels are common in both rinse-off and leave-on products. Trisodium NTA is supplied as a crystalline powder and is considered safe as used in cosmetics. Related ingredients: Trisodium EDTA Disodium EDTA Chelating Agent