BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene).
Also known as: butylated hydroxytoluene, E321, 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol
A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation in cosmetics and food. Less studied than BHA but shares some endocrine disruption concerns.
By the numbers.
1 = low concern, 10 = avoid.
Risk by usage.
How risk shifts depending on how often you use products with BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene).
Generally low risk at cosmetic concentrations.
Mild concern; consider alternatives if using multiple BHT-containing products.
Moderate concern from cumulative exposure across food and cosmetic sources.
What the research says.
Possible endocrine disruptor; shown to affect thyroid and reproductive hormones in animal studies.
May promote tumor growth in certain animal models, though evidence is less conclusive than for BHA.
Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2002
Global status.
How bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) is regulated in cosmetics around the world.
40% of countries with data ban or restrict this ingredient
Details
Max 0.8% in body products, lower in lip/oral products per Regulation 2022/2195.
Details
Permitted with limits under MHLW standards.
Details
Permitted with concentration limits.
Details
Permitted with limits per Safety Technical Standards.
The reason brands include it.
Prevents oils and fats from going rancid, extending the shelf life of lipsticks, moisturizers, and other oil-based products.
49
products in our database
21
brands use it
3
product categories
Better alternatives exist. Brands choose bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) because it’s cheap and effective, but safer options like tocopherol (vitamin E), rosemary extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) deliver similar results without the health concerns.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) in product types.
Click a category to see every product containing bht (butylated hydroxytoluene).
Products Containing BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
These popular products list bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) in their ingredient labels. Tap any card to see the full breakdown.
And 37 more products in our database.
Compared to Numbrrrz.
Here’s how the lowest-scoring product containing bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) compares.
Blistex Medicated Lip Ointment
Blistex
Numbrrrz
Organic Lip Balm
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What to use instead.
What Numbrrrz uses instead
Numbrrrz uses Vitamin E as a natural antioxidant preservative in all formulations — effective protection against rancidity without synthetic BHT.
Quick answers.
Is BHT safer than BHA?
Can I avoid BHT in my daily routine?
Is BHT an endocrine disruptor?
Is BHT the same as BHA?
What are other names for BHT on ingredient labels?
Does Numbrrrz use BHT?
How these brands stack up.
Brands that use bht (butylated hydroxytoluene) — see how they compare.