Beauty ingredient · Antioxidant
BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
- CAS
- 128-37-0
A synthetic antioxidant that keeps oils in products from going rancid.
- Preservative
- Expert review pending
Concern level
A minor or very limited concern, such as being an ultra-processing marker only. The concern level sets how many points BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) costs on a product’s receipt.
What the evidence says
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Restricted useRegulatory
The EU limits it to 0.001% in mouthwash, 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.8% in other products (2022). [1]
Evidence tiers say how sure the evidence is, separately from how much it matters. About evidence tiers.
Rules around the world
| Where | Status | Details | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | Restricted | Limited to 0.001% in mouthwash, 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.8% in other products (2022). | — | [1] |
“Banned” means explicitly prohibited or withdrawn after review; “not permitted” means never authorized there. We use each regulator’s own words.
Popular products that list BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
6 of the 17,000 most-scanned products in the US with a GoodSwap page list BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene).
- Old Spice Swagger Old Spice Score 85 out of 100 Excellent
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Sunscreen Neutrogena Score 76 out of 100 Good -
Degree Men Black and white Unilever Score 88 out of 100 Excellent -
Vanicream Moisturizing Lotion Vanicream Score 97 out of 100 Excellent -
Liquid Hand Soap Pump, Aquarium Series Softsoap · 7.5 fl oz Score 86 out of 100 Excellent -
Dove Women Cool Essentials Spray Dove Score 85 out of 100 Excellent
Names GoodSwap recognizes on labels (3)
- bht
- butylated hydroxytoluene
- bht butylated hydroxytoluene
Sources
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“the use of Homosalate should be restricted to face products (non-spray and pump spray products) only, up to a maximum concentration of 7,34 %.”
eur-lex.europa.eu