Ingredient glossary
BHT
On your shelf ✓What BHT does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: BHT · Also: Butylated hydroxytoluene
In short: BHT delivers antioxidant and preservation, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Antioxidant, preservation
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Quiet, essential, and nothing to fear.
BHT keeps a product safe to use from the first pump to the last, at tiny amounts. Not something you pay a premium for.
— Maya
What it does
- antioxidant
- preservation
strong evidenceThe EU's SCCS reviewed BHT in 2021 specifically because of endocrine concerns and concluded it is safe as a cosmetic antioxidant up to 0.8 percent in leave-on…
Why we say this
- The EU's SCCS reviewed BHT in 2021 specifically because of endocrine concerns and concluded it is safe as a cosmetic antioxidant up to 0.8 percent in leave-on and rinse-off products, 0.1 percent in toothpaste and 0.001 percent in mouthwash; it found no in silico or in vitro indication of endocrine activity and judged the sensitisation risk at current use levels negligible.
- The US CIR panel concluded BHT safe as used in 2002, reporting use between 0.0002 and 0.5 percent, and reaffirmed that conclusion in 2023.
- SCCS/1636/21 (EU Scientific Committee opinion)
- PMID 12396675 · abstract
- PMID 37751543 · abstract
On a label: usually effective at 0.01-0.5%.
The phenolic compound family, at a glance
6 phenolic compound entries in the base, BHT among them. 3 of the 6 are a preservative.
How much do you need?
Not established
No human trial pins a dose. The reasoning is below, and it is the honest answer.
Why we say this
- Not established at a stated concentration in a vehicle-controlled leave-on trial: The effect of topical therapy with 15% BHT in mineral oil on the course of recurrent herpes simplex labialis was examined in 30 patients in a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study in which treatment was initiated by the physician.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- all
Approach with care
- rare allergy
- pregnancy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveSuits
Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy, pregnancy.
Where it fits in your routine
What regulators say
In the EU BHT is capped at 0.8% in leave-on and rinse-off products, 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.001% in mouthwash (Annex III entry 325, Regulation 2022/2195: from…
What the regulator says, in full
- In the EU BHT is capped at 0.8% in leave-on and rinse-off products, 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.001% in mouthwash (Annex III entry 325, Regulation 2022/2195: from 1 July 2023 for placing on the market, 1 January 2024 for sale).
Plays well with
BHT, answered
Is BHT safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. BHT is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid BHT?
Approach BHT with care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy and pregnancy. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of BHT actually works?
BHT tends to do its job in the 0.01 to 0.5% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat BHT as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.When it is worth booking →
This, for every label you own
One ingredient is easy. A full label is where it gets confusing. The Ingredient Decoder reads any product and tells you the honest truth, ingredient by ingredient.
Sources & how we reviewed this
- SCCS/1636/21 (EU Scientific Committee opinion)read in full
- PMID 12396675abstract read, not the full text
- PMID 37751543abstract read, not the full text
What changed on this page
- : the effective dose from trials, the highest dose tested
- : what the EU regulates
- : the PubChem record, light stability