

Food-Grade Antioxidants for Cosmetics
Eastman Tenox™ food-grade antioxidants inhibit the rancidity of creams and lotions for a variety of personal care products including skin care, sun care, hair care, color cosmetics, fragrances, antiperspirants, and deodorant.
Tenox™ Antioxidant Composition & Characteristics
TBHQ Content | BHT Content | BHA Content | Citric Acid Content | Physical Form | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
100% | Solid | ||||
Tenox™ BHT | 100% | Solid | |||
Tenox™ BHA | 100% | Solid | |||
Tenox™ 20 | 20% | 10% | Liquid | ||
Tenox™ 20A | 20% | 3% | Liquid | ||
Tenox™ 21 | 20% | 1% | Liquid | ||
Tenox™ 25 | 10% | 10% | 3% | Liquid | |
Tenox™ 8 | 20% | Liquid | |||
Tenox™ 4 | 20% | 20% | Liquid | ||
Tenox™ 4B | 20% | Liquid |
TBHQ = Tertiary-Butylhydroquinone
BHT = Butylated Hydroxytoluene
BHA = Butylated Hydroxyanisole
Tenox™ Formulation & Processing Tips
For cosmetics and personal care products, the optimum level of antioxidant ranges from 0.02% to 0.1%.
Tenox™ TBHQ forms colored complexes with amines in fatty acid/amine emulsifier systems at alkaline pH so some discoloration may occur. To prevent discoloration, Eastman suggests neutralizing acids with amines to a pH of 7 or less.
Tenox™ TBHQ forms colored complexes with amines in fatty acid/amine emulsifier systems at alkaline pH so some discoloration may occur. To prevent discoloration, Eastman suggests neutralizing acids with amines to a pH of 7 or less.
Tenox™ Sample Formulations With Antioxidants
Tenox™ Antioxidant Effectiveness
The oil stability index (OSI) is an automated, accelerated method of measuring the effect of antioxidants on the stability of fats and oils. The induction period is recorded as the number of hours at which rapid acceleration of oxidation occurs. These charts show the effect of Tenox™ in comparison to other antioxidants on the oxidation of popular oils.




This data is also available for other oils, just CONTACT US for more details or for help with your cosmetics formulations.
Tenox™ Antioxidant Physical Properties
Tenox™ TBHQ Tertiary Butylhydroquinone | Tenox™ BHT Butylated Hydroxytoluene | Tenox™ BHA Butylated Hydroxyanisole | |
---|---|---|---|
INCI Name | TBHQ | BHT | BHA |
Molecular weight | 166.22 | 220 | 180.25 |
Physical appearance | White to light tan crystals | White granular crystals | White to slightly yellow waxy solid |
Boiling point | 300ºC @ 760 mm | 265ºC @ 760 mm | 264 - 270ºC @ 733 mm |
Melting point | 126.5 - 128.5ºC | 69.7ºC | 48 - 63ºC |
Odor | Very slight | Very slight | Slight |
Water solubility | Soluble | Insoluble | Insoluble |
Ethanol solubility | Soluble | Soluble | Soluble |
Lipid solubility | Soluble | Soluble | Soluble |
CONTACT US for help with your cosmetics formulations!