BHA and BHT in Cosmetics

BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are synthetic antioxidants commonly added to cosmetics and personal care products to prevent oils and fats from oxidizing and extending shelf life. These preservatives have been used in the beauty industry for decades, but their safety profile has become increasingly scrutinized by health agencies and researchers worldwide. Understanding what these ingredients are, where they appear, and what regulatory bodies say about them can help consumers make informed choices about the products they use on their skin and lips. The health concern centers on BHA's potential carcinogenicity. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) lists BHA as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen" based on evidence from animal studies showing tumor development in rodents. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has also evaluated BHA, and while human epidemiological data remains limited, the animal evidence has prompted regulatory caution. BHT has not received the same carcinogen classification, though it is structurally similar and raises similar toxicological questions. Additionally, both substances may act as endocrine disruptors at certain exposures, meaning they could interfere with hormone systems in the body. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) rates BHA as a concern ingredient in cosmetics, particularly in lip products where dermal absorption and ingestion risk may be higher. Regulatory approaches differ significantly across regions. The European Union has taken the most restrictive stance: the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has restricted both BHA and BHT in cosmetics, permitting them only as anti-foaming agents in lip products at concentrations not exceeding 0.001 g/kg—essentially a near-ban. In the United States, the FDA permits both BHA and BHT in cosmetics with concentration limits, though they are not on the FDA's list of prohibited substances. The agency has not classified them as carcinogens for regulatory purposes, though it continues to monitor safety data. California's Proposition 65 does not currently list BHA or BHT, though the state's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) tracks emerging evidence. This regulatory divergence means a product legal in the US may be restricted or banned in the EU. Consumers seeking to avoid BHA and BHT should check ingredient lists on cosmetic labels, particularly for foundations, concealers, lipsticks, and other long-shelf-life products where these preservatives are most common. Look for the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) names "Butylated Hydroxyanisole" (BHA) and "Butylated Hydroxytoluene" (BHT). Many brands, especially those marketed as "clean" or "natural," have already reformulated without these ingredients. Alternatives include vitamin E (tocopherol), rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate, and other plant-derived or synthetic antioxidants that serve similar shelf-life extension functions. Consumers in the EU will find these ingredients largely absent from mainstream cosmetics due to regulatory restrictions. In the US market, reading labels and choosing products from brands committed to avoiding these substances is the most direct approach, particularly for lip products where exposure risk may be elevated.