4. Synthetic antioxidants

4.1 Structures and action modes

For antioxidants, there are no regulations specific to cosmetics, so there is no positive list as there is for preservatives or UV filters (sunscreens), for example. The compounds used as antioxidants are generally those authorized by food legislation.

The most commonly used synthetic antioxidants are (figure 10 ):

• butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT, fat-soluble);

• butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA, fat-soluble);...