Alkyl-hydroxybenzylthioethers are efficient storage and processing stabilizers for elastomers and adhesives. Especially alkyl-(2-hydroxybenzyl)thioethers represent an intramolecular combination of a primary and secondary antioxidant, i.e. a phenolic and a thioether moiety in an optimized spatial arrangement. The mechanism of their intramolecular synergism was investigated. The best overall stabilizers are 2,4-bis(alkylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenols, e.g. AOl, in contrast to 2,6-dialkyl-4-alkylthiomethylphenols(B), 4-alkyl-2,6-bis(alkylthiomethyl)phenols C.