Benzoyl Peroxide Facts

Benzoyl peroxide belongs to the the organic peroxide family . It is commonly used as an acne treatment and is also used as a general antiseptic. The molecule forms when a pair of benzoyl groups join a peroxide group.

Physical Properties

• The most common method used to create benzoyl peroxide is by treating hydrogen peroxide with benzoyl chloride. It was first created by pairing benzoyl chloride with barium peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide will break down upon contact with the skin.

Acne Treatment

• Benzoyl peroxide was synthesized for use as an acne treatment in the 1920s by Jack Breitbart of Revlon. Some users of the product will experience dry and itchy skin from use.

Dyeing And Whitening

• Benzoyl peroxide is commonly used to dye hair and is one of the active whitening ingredients in teeth whitening products. The concentrations of the product used for those purposes exceeds 10 percent.

Prevention/Solution

• High concentrations of benzoyl peroxide can cause contact sensitization when it is placed on the skin. A smaller number of users may experience peeling of the skin if too much of the product is used, especially in a high concentration. This can be avoided by using a weaker 2.5 percent concentration.

Warning

• Benzoyl peroxide can cause explosions and it is capable of starting fires without an ignition source. The low amount the product used in commercial skin treatments is too low to cause the explosive properties to occur.