BHT — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: BHT
Also known as: Butylated Hydroxytoluene
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 128-37-0
- Category
- antioxidant
- Risk Level
- medium
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- lipstick, moisturizer, sunscreen
Is BHT safe in cosmetics?
BHT is rated medium risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in lipstick, moisturizer, sunscreen.
What is BHT?
Synthetic antioxidant. Low-level endocrine disruption concerns at high doses. Rare contact allergen.
Allergy & Safety Information
BHT is generally safe for most people but may cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you experience redness, itching, or swelling after using a product with this ingredient, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist.
This ingredient carries moderate allergenicity risk. It can cause reactions in sensitised individuals but has a lower sensitisation rate than high-risk ingredients. Patch testing before full use is advisable for anyone with a history of cosmetic reactions.
About Antioxidant Ingredients
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and metabolic processes, preventing oxidative damage to skin cells and the product formula itself. Common cosmetic antioxidants include tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), BHT, and plant-derived polyphenols.
Relevance for BHT: Most antioxidants are well-tolerated, but some — particularly propyl gallate, BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and certain plant-derived polyphenols — are recognised contact allergens. Vitamin E (tocopherol) allergy, while uncommon, is occasionally identified in patch testing.
How to Identify BHT in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains BHT, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Lipstick, Moisturizer, Sunscreen. These product categories are the most common sources of BHT exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain BHT? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for BHT and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BHT safe for sensitive skin?
BHT may cause reactions in some sensitive individuals. Patch testing is advisable.
What products contain BHT?
BHT is commonly found in lipstick, moisturizer, sunscreen.
What does BHT do in cosmetics?
BHT functions as a antioxidant in formulations.
Related Guides
Is BHT causing YOUR skin reactions?
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