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Home/Toxic Ingredients/BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole)
Ingredient analysis · Hazard 7/10

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole).

Also known as: butylated hydroxyanisole, E320, tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole

A synthetic antioxidant used as a preservative in cosmetics, foods, and pharmaceuticals. Classified as a possible human carcinogen and known endocrine disruptor.

Hormone Disruptor
Hazard score

By the numbers.

1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.

Hazard Score
7
High Concern
Frequency risk

Risk by usage.

How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole).

1-2x per week

Low concern at typical cosmetic concentrations.

Daily use

Daily exposure adds to cumulative endocrine disruption load from multiple product sources.

2+ times daily

Significant concern; combined food and cosmetic exposure may exceed safe thresholds.

Health risks

What the research says.

Classified as a possible human carcinogen (Group 2B) by IARC.

IARC Monographs — BHA evaluation

Endocrine disruptor that may interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormone function.

Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 2005

Can cause skin depigmentation and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.

Regulations

Global status.

How bha (butylated hydroxyanisole) is regulated in cosmetics around the world.

Restricted in 8Allowed in 2No data for 1

80% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient

🇺🇸USA
Allowed
🇪🇺EU
Restricted
Details

Max 0.02% as antioxidant; CMR category 2 under review.

🇬🇧UK
Restricted
Details

Max 0.02% as antioxidant, mirroring EU.

🇨🇦Canada
Restricted
Details

Hotlist restricts; allowed at limited concentrations.

🇯🇵Japan
Restricted
Details

Permitted with limits under MHLW standards.

🇰🇷S. Korea
Restricted
Details

Permitted with concentration limits.

🇦🇺Australia
Allowed
🇨🇳China
Restricted
Details

Permitted with limits per Safety Technical Standards.

🇧🇷Brazil
Restricted
Details

Permitted with limits per ANVISA.

🇮🇳India
No Data
🌏ASEAN
Restricted
Details

Permitted with limits, harmonized with EU.

Why it’s used

The reason brands include it.

Prevents oxidation and rancidity in oil-containing products, extending shelf life.

0

products in our database

0

brands use it

3

product categories

Better alternatives exist. Brands choose bha (butylated hydroxyanisole) because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like tocopherol (vitamin E), rosemary extract, ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C ester) deliver similar results without the health concerns.

Categories

BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) in product types.

Click a category to see every product containing bha (butylated hydroxyanisole).

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Safe alternatives

What to use instead.

tocopherol (vitamin E)
rosemary extract
ascorbyl palmitate (vitamin C ester)
green tea extract

What Numbrrrz uses instead

Numbrrrz uses Vitamin E as a natural antioxidant instead of synthetic BHA — preventing oxidation while also nourishing your skin.

Questions

Quick answers.

Is BHA in cosmetics the same as BHA in skincare (salicylic acid)?
No. BHA the preservative (butylated hydroxyanisole) is completely different from BHA the exfoliant (beta hydroxy acid / salicylic acid). They share an abbreviation but are unrelated chemicals.
Why is BHA still allowed in cosmetics if it may cause cancer?
Regulatory agencies in the US consider the low concentrations used in cosmetics to be within acceptable risk levels. However, cumulative exposure from food, packaging, and cosmetics together may exceed those thresholds.
Is BHA an endocrine disruptor?
Yes. BHA has been shown to interfere with thyroid and reproductive hormone function in animal studies. It is classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2B) and is listed as 'reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen' by the US National Toxicology Program.
Is BHA banned in any countries?
BHA is restricted in Canada and several other countries limit its concentration in cosmetics. The EU allows BHA but at regulated levels. California's Proposition 65 lists BHA as a known carcinogen, requiring warning labels on products sold in the state.
How can I avoid BHA in my cosmetics?
Check ingredient labels for 'butylated hydroxyanisole,' 'BHA,' or 'E320.' Natural antioxidants like vitamin E (tocopherol), rosemary extract, and green tea extract perform the same preservation function without the carcinogenic risk.
Does Numbrrrz use BHA as a preservative?
No. Numbrrrz uses Vitamin E (tocopherol) as a natural antioxidant in all formulations. Vitamin E prevents oxidation and rancidity just as effectively as BHA while also nourishing and protecting your skin.
Choose clean

Skip the bha (butylated hydroxyanisole).

Four organic ingredients. Zero toxins. The lip balm your body deserves.