Ingredient deep-dive

BHT / BHA: Is It a Microplastic?

Low concernPlasticiser / chemical of concern

Synthetic antioxidants, co-occurrence flag in plastic-heavy formulas.

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BHT / BHA, common questions

Is BHT / BHA a microplastic?

Borderline. Synthetic antioxidants, co-occurrence flag in plastic-heavy formulas.

Related ingredients

Parabens

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · Medium concern

Preservatives flagged for endocrine activity; commonly co-occur with plastic polymers in synthetic formulas.

Phthalates

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern

Plasticisers used to soften plastic, banned from many products. Strong endocrine disruptors.

DEHP (Diethylhexyl Phthalate)

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern

The most studied plasticiser and a recognised endocrine disruptor. Banned in EU cosmetics. It reaches food and bodies mainly through plastic packaging and processing equipment rather than through cosmetic formulas.

DBP (Dibutyl Phthalate)

Plasticiser / chemical of concern · High concern

Phthalate plasticiser historically used to keep nail polish flexible. Banned in EU cosmetics and voluntarily removed by most major nail brands, but it persists in imported and unregulated products.