murphyBHA
AKA: 25013-16-5, Phenol, Tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 2(3)-tert-Butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, Antrancine 12, Nipantiox 1-F, Tenox BHA, Butylohydroksyanizol, Butyl hydroxyanisole, BOA (antioxidant)
Synthetic
Antioxidant
Not Clean
OriginBHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) belongs to the phenolic antioxidant chemical family synthesized from petroleum-derived precursors. It is produced through the alkylation and hydroxylation of anisole, followed by butylation reactions.
Butylated Hydroxyanisole is a white, waxy solid mixture of 2- and 3-Tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole with a faint aromatic odor. Butylated Hydroxyanisole is a widely used synthetic antioxidant in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals mainly to preserve fats and oils. Butylated Hydroxyanisole is reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. (NCI05)
Solubility less than 1 mg/mL at 65.3 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C11H16O2
Mol. Weight
180.24
CAS #
25013-16-5
Form
Powder
State
Butylated hydroxyanisole appears as white, beige or slightly yellow waxy solid with an aromatic odor and a slightly bitter burning taste. (NTP, 1992)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Acne
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
No
Functions
Antioxidant
Fights free radicals — the unstable molecules from UV, pollution, and stress that break down collagen and cause premature aging.
Neutralizes Free Radicals
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
No
Restricted By
CIR Safety Findings
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
3 studies / 2 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions minimal to mild (CIR 890)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
23 studies / 10 irritating / 2 mixed / 11 not irritating / reactions minimal to severe (CIR 202 and 890)
Mixed Sensitization Results
10 studies / 1 mixed / 9 not sensitizing / plus 10 case reports (CIR 202 and 890)
Mixed Phototoxicity Results
Both phototoxic and non-phototoxic results in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 202)
Dermal Absorption 2.68–50%
2 lab (in vitro) studies in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 890)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.00000004–0.15%
Rinse-off0.00025–0.0084%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2023 survey
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR