BENZOYL PEROXIDE
Benzoyl peroxide is a white granular solid with a faint odor of benzaldehyde, poorly soluble in water but in acetone, ethanol, and many other organic solvents.
Benzoyl peroxide, also known as dibenzoyl peroxide, is a widely used organic compound of the peroxide family.
Benzoyl peroxide is an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory agent used for the symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris and rosacea.
Benzoyl peroxide has antibacterial properties and is widely used in treating acne.
Benzoyl peroxide is a peroxide that involves keratolytic, comedolytic, irritant, and anti-inflammatory actions.
Synonyms: Dibenzoyl Peroxide, benzoperoxide, dibenzoyl peroxide (DBPO), BPO, Peroxide, dibenzoyl, BPO, DBPO, Benzoic Peroxyanhydride
CAS Number: 94-36-0
Formula: C14H10O4
Molar mass: 242.230 g·mol−1
Density: 1.334 g/cm3
Melting point: 103 to 105 °C (217 to 221 °F) decomposes
APPLICATIONS OF BENZOYL PEROXIDE:
Benzoyl peroxide is used in tooth whitening and cosmetic hair coloring.
Benzoyl peroxide is mainly used in the production of plastics and for bleaching flour, hair, plastics, and textiles.
As a bleach, Benzoyl peroxide has been used as a medication and a water disinfectant.
As a medication, Benzoyl peroxide is mainly used to treat acne alone or in combination with other treatments.
Benzoyl peroxide is also used in dentistry for teeth whitening.
Benzoyl peroxide is mainly used as a radical initiator to induce chain-growth polymerization reactions, such as polyester and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resins, dental cement, and restoratives.
Benzoyl peroxide is the most crucial organic peroxide used for this purpose, a relatively safe alternative to the much more hazardous methyl ethyl ketone peroxide.
Benzoyl peroxide is also used in rubber curing and as a finishing agent for some acetate yarns.
Benzoyl Peroxide is an organic solid in the peroxide family used to improve flour.
Benzoyl Peroxide is used to bleach flour, slowly decomposing to exert its full bleaching action, resulting in whiter flour and bread.
Other uses
Due to its strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects on the skin, Benzoyl Peroxide has been recognized as a treatment for acne.
The antiseptic quality of the peroxide makes it adept at reducing bacteria on the skin’s surface, as well as whiteheads and blackheads.
Another reason for Benzoyl Peroxide’s popularity amongst acne sufferers is that it is safe to use in conjunction with salicylic acid products.
Tube of a water-based 5% benzoyl peroxide preparation for the treatment of acne
Benzoyl peroxide is effective for treating acne lesions.
Benzoyl peroxide does not induce antibiotic resistance.
It may be combined with salicylic acid, sulfur, erythromycin clindamycin (antibiotics), or adapalene (a synthetic retinoid).
Two common combination drugs include benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin and adapalene/benzoyl peroxide, adapalene being a chemically stable retinoid that can be combined with benzoyl peroxide, unlike tazarotene and tretinoin.
Combination products such as benzoyl peroxide/clindamycin and benzoyl peroxide/salicylic acid appear slightly more effective than benzoyl peroxide alone for treating acne lesions.
The combination tretinoin/benzoyl peroxide was approved for medical use in the United States in 2021.
Benzoyl peroxide for acne treatment is typically applied to the affected areas in gel, cream, or liquid in concentrations of 2.5%, increasing through 5.0% and up to 10%.
Benzoyl peroxide is potentially explosive, especially in pure form.
Benzoyl peroxide can cause a significant fire and explosion hazard.
It is highly flammable and a strong oxidizer; the autoignition temperature is 80°C (176°F).
It ignites instantly.
Safety
Explosion hazard
Benzoyl peroxide is potentially explosive like other organic peroxides and can cause fires without external ignition.
The hazard is acute for the pure material, so the compound is generally used as a solution or a paste.
For example, cosmetics contain only a tiny percentage of benzoyl peroxide and pose no explosion risk.