Talk:Benzoyl peroxide

Can this be clarified?

"Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores, thus reducing the bacterial count there as well as directly as an antibacterial." Reducing baterial count where? It may be restated as "Benzoyl peroxide works as a peeling agent, increasing skin turnover and clearing pores. This mode of action may reduce acne symptoms, as well as by acting as an antibacterial". (I would change it myself, but I'm not sure that was the original intent, and there's no citation.)--Ryuns (talk) 01:30, 30 July 2008 (UTC)

Some questions

Requesting chemical properties of Benzoyl peroxide. Could not find any factual properties anywhere. -Masterhomer

Shouldn't Benzoyl peroxide be more under a drug then a chemical? So rather then have a chembox won't a drugbox be better? If no disagreement will do it shortly. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Crislee 88 (talk • contribs) .

Well, it does have other uses, e.g. as an industrial catalyst for radical polymerization, and the chembox looks pretty good to me, but if you can make the drugbox look just as good I'd be fine with that. Go for it. —Keenan Pepper 15:50, 29 June 2006 (UTC)

Am teaching an organic chem lab using benzoyl peroxide and will see if I can't align the page a little more towards organic chemistry. Menswear 15:03, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

OK. The page is changed like it is. I'll check back in some unspecified while to see if there has been a source provided for the mutanogenic/carcinogenic at low concentrations company fact. I did change it from "found to not be" to "not found to be". Added to "appurtenances" in wiktionary too! Menswear 16:48, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Half-life????

can someone explain this line?: "Half-life is 140 hours at 50°C. At 90°C it is already only 1 hour" I thought half-life was only for radioactive material —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Mdk0642 (talk • contribs) 01:52, 27 January 2007 (UTC).

No, half life can be applied to anything which is undergoing depletion, normally by a decay mechanism. Also, the "solubility" physical parameter is given as "poor". This doesn't make sense unless it is specified what solvent is being referred to.--129.94.6.29 06:55, 24 July 2007 (UTC)

Just curious, could we preface this with a "This substance tends to decompose quickly in heat. ... rest of section" to the section? Just to clarify, because I asked myself what the point of the section was, and simply stating it might make it easier reading thanks! wubrgamer (talk) 23:52, 24 September 2008 (UTC)

scar?

is it possible for this cream to scar the face after severe burning has taken effect?

Anything can theoretically happen, but I've never heard of such a thing. Some people are allergic to it, but I've never, ever heard of a permanent scar forming at therapeutic concentrations. Normally, the absolute worst you could get would be a very superficial burn which heals without any problems. The chemical decomposes at the very surface of the skin, so deep burns necessary to causes scarring are essentially unheard of.WolfKeeper 00:10, 2 March 2007 (UTC)

Consuming the compound

If someone has the knowledge, can they please show results if one were to ingest such a chemical formulation. There just appears to be a burning curiosity of mine, to as the causes of doing such a thing can lead to, in relation to the long-term effects or how other organs / parts of the body react negatively. Tk Dailly Rubbings 15:51, 20 April 2007 (UTC)

Well, they put it in cake and pastry flour (Five Roses in Canada). Not very much of it though. I do wonder if it's harmful. --99.224.95.88 18:05, 6 October 2007 (UTC)

Removed uncited claim

I removed this bogus claim that a) benzoyl peroxide removes the top layer of skin, b) benzoyl peroxide and sunscreen together can work as an anti-aging treatment:

Benzoyl peroxide removes the top layer of skin, which also decreases the sun protective effect (roughly SPF 3). This can cause sunburn and premature aging if sun protection is not worn. If sun protection is used, benzoyl peroxide has effects similar to glycolic acid peels which are so-called anti-aging treatments.

dearly (talk) 17:20, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Um. That is what it does though.- (User) WolfKeeper (Talk) 17:48, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Alright, but it should still be cited. Sounds like a bogus claim to me dearly (talk) 21:36, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

"The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing additional labeling (warnings and directions) for all topically-applied acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide. The warning advises consumers to avoid unnecessary sun exposure and to use a sunscreen when using a benzoyl peroxide product to treat acne..."

It's not an anti-aging treatment, but it does similar things to glycolic peels and temporarily sensitises the skin to UV.- (User) WolfKeeper (Talk) 17:48, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

That's why all the BP packaging recommends the use of sunscreens.- (User) WolfKeeper (Talk) 17:48, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Yeah, it's pretty well documented that it makes your skin more susceptible to UV damage and sunscreen would prevent that to an extent. But as an anti-aging treatment? I have my doubts dearly (talk) 21:40, 7 March 2008 (UTC)

Removed advertisement-laced external reference

Ligart (talk) 02:31, 8 April 2008 (UTC)

• Benzoyl Peroxide as Acne Treatment Using Benzoyl Peroxide to treat Acne.

Irrelevant/Misleading Claim

"Benzoyl peroxide breaks down in contact with skin, producing benzoic acid and oxygen, neither of which is significantly toxic."

If the chemical is a possible mutagen (as stated earlier in the article) the safety of its breakdown products is not relevant and serves only to lull the reader into a false sense of security. For example, hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and oxygen, two substances that are harmless, but prior to its decomposition it is corrosive, carcinogenic and toxic. 24.65.95.239 (talk) 00:12, 4 January 2009 (UTC)

Hydrogen peroxide is toxic and carcinogenic? Can you provide evidence that supports this claim?