BHT ●
TL;DR. This ingredient is an antioxidant used to slow rancidity and color or odor changes in oils, waxes, fragrances, and other oxidation-prone formula components. It helps extend product shelf life by interrupting free-radical oxidation reactions.
What does BHT do in a cosmetic formula?
This ingredient is an antioxidant used to slow rancidity and color or odor changes in oils, waxes, fragrances, and other oxidation-prone formula components. It helps extend product shelf life by interrupting free-radical oxidation reactions.
Is BHT clean?
From a clean beauty perspective, it has notable friction because it is synthetic, appears on some restricted lists, and has ongoing scrutiny around endocrine-screening signals. It is usually used at very low levels, but it is not considered an easy fit for stricter clean frameworks.
Is BHT sustainable?
This material is typically petroleum-derived and is not a strong match for renewable-sourcing goals. It has limited biodegradability and raises environmental persistence concerns compared with more readily biodegradable antioxidant systems.
Is BHT COSMOS-approved?
It is generally not permitted under COSMOS-natural or COSMOS-organic standards. Its synthetic petrochemical origin, limited biodegradability, and persistence profile make it a weak fit with Green Chemistry priorities.
How does BHT work chemically?
The molecule is a sterically hindered phenolic antioxidant, meaning its bulky ring structure can donate hydrogen to lipid radicals and slow oxidative chain reactions. Typical use levels are low, often around 0.01% to 0.1%, and it is oil-soluble, heat-stable in processing, and commonly paired with other antioxidants or chelators for broader protection.
Last updated 2026-05-13