Should I avoid BHT and BHA in cosmetics?

Cosmetic ingredients are difficult

Cosmetics come in all sorts of complicated names. Even if you look at the ingredients in an attempt to choose a safer product, you may not understand what they mean and give up.

For example, there are ingredients called BHT and BHA. They are found in a variety of products, including shampoos, sunscreens, and skincare products. But what exactly are these ingredients?

This article explains the properties of BHT and BHA and why some people want to avoid them.

What are BHT and BHA?

The official names for BHT and BHA are "butyl hydroxytoluene" and "butyl hydroxyanisole," respectively. In cosmetics, these are abbreviated to "BHT" and "BHA."

Both are chemicals commonly used as preservatives , have similar names, and have similar properties.

In addition to cosmetics, food and medicines BHT and BHA are used as additives, as preservatives in sweets, processed foods, and medicines such as vitamin supplements.

The raw material for BHT is paint thinner!?

BHT is made from a liquid substance called toluene . Toluene, a paint thinner, is a strong neurotoxin. It is so strong that even slight contact can affect the central nervous system.
It can also cause breathing problems and nausea.

Toluene has also been linked to immune system toxicity and blood cancers such as malignant lymphoma, and can cause developmental disorders in pregnant women when exposed to it.

Toluene, which has many risks, is used to make BHT, which is then used in cosmetics.

In addition, toluene itself, rather than BHT, is sometimes used in nail polish and other products.

BHA: Many Health Concerns

We now know that BHT is made from the scary-sounding chemical toluene, but what about BHA?

In fact, BHA has also been linked to various health risks.

For example, the U.S. National Toxicology Program classifies BHA as a "probable human carcinogen." California's Proposition 65 also lists it as a possible carcinogen.

It is also listed by the European Commission as an endocrine disruptor , meaning it disrupts the function of natural hormones in humans.

How to Avoid BHT and BHA

When you learn what BHT and BHA are, you may be worried about whether it is safe to apply to your skin. However, neither of them often causes skin irritation or allergic reactions. For this reason, many people do not experience any problems when using cosmetics that contain BHT or BHA.

However, there are various concerns about these ingredients. Some people may want to avoid them if possible. In that case, make sure to check the ingredients list for cosmetics to see if they contain "BHT" or "BHA."

In the case of quasi-drugs and medicated cosmetics, it may be labeled as "dibutylhydroxytoluene" or "butylhydroxyanisole."

It's a long name, but if you're interested, please remember it.

Many cosmetic preservatives