Chloride ions induced corrosion of reinforcing steel is a major cause of concrete durability problems. The essence is that chloride ions diffuse through the porous structure of the material matrix in the cementitious material and gradually migrate to the surface of the reinforcing steel, where adverse physicochemical reactions occur. Hydrotalcite, known as layered double hydroxides (LDHs), is a new type of admixture to delay the corrosion of reinforcement. It has unique layered structure and ions exchange properties which ensures ion exchange between chloride ions and interlayer cations of LDHs and reaches the purpose of adsorption of chloride ions, thus extending the service life of concrete structures. This paper introduces the structural properties, modification method of hydrotalcite as well as its adsorption mechanisms on chloride ions, and summarizes the research results of recent years on the adsorption capacity of chloride ions through different modified hydrotalcite systems to improve the corrosion of steel reinforcement. The results indicate that the chloride ions adsorption capacity of hydrotalcite-based composite materials is mainly affected by LDHs preparation procedure, pH value of the pore solution and the chloride ions concentration. The chloride ions adsorption of calcined LDHs is more effective. When the addition of LDHs is 1%~3% (mass fraction), the resistance to chloride ions permeability of cement-based materials will be obviously improved.