Ingredient guide ›

Bht

The freshness keeper.

What it does

An antioxidant. It stops the oils in a product from going stale or changing smell.

Good to know

Independent EU scientists (SCCS) checked it in 2021 and found it safe at the limits the EU now uses.

Often found in: Deodorants, Lip products, Shower gels, Antiperspirants

Around the world

• United States: No FDA limit. The FDA doesn't approve cosmetic ingredients before sale. Source
• EU and UK: EU: max 0.001% in mouthwash, 0.1% in toothpaste and 0.8% in other products. The UK set its own limits in 2024. Source
• Canada: Not on Health Canada's Hotlist of restricted ingredients. Source
• Australia: No limit in Australia's Poisons Standard. Source

Sources

• SCCS opinion: Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (2021) (Independent)
• Safety assessment of BHA and BHT as antioxidant food additives (Food Chem Toxicol, 1999) (Independent)