Encyclopedia
Every molecule that touches your hair
From proven medicines to kitchen-cupboard oils, with the studies behind each one.
5 entries
C
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chelator
Citric acid
The most common pH adjuster in shampoos and conditioners and, in a 2025 lab study, a calcium-removing treatment that strengthened chemically treated hair.
D
-
chelator
Disodium EDTA
The classic cosmetic chelator, which grabs calcium, magnesium, iron and copper so shampoos lather and keep in hard water, with no clinical hair trials of its own.
S
-
chelator
Sodium phytate
A rice- or corn-derived chelator used in natural shampoos as a preservative booster and iron and copper binder, with no hair trials.
T
-
chelator
Tetrasodium EDTA
The more alkaline, more soluble EDTA salt, with the same chelating job as disodium EDTA and wide use in clarifying and chelating shampoos.
-
chelator
Tetrasodium glutamate diacetate
A biodegradable, glutamic-acid-based chelator marketed as a greener EDTA replacement, with essentially no hair-specific data.