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Benzoyl peroxide

Controversial0 products
CAS
94-36-0
EC
2023276
PubChem CID
7187
Molecular Formula
C14H10O4
Molecular Weight
242.2300 g/mol

Used as an initiator in artificial nails. May irritate the skin; cannot exceed 0.7%.

What does it do?

An initiator used in artificial nail systems.

Details

A synthetic component used to initiate acrylic polymerization in artificial nail systems. It may irritate the skin and cause allergies; therefore, its use is limited to 0.7%. It is used in different forms for acne treatment, but in cosmetics, it is only permitted in nail products.

Restrictions

Where is it found?

Also known as

Function & Use

Oxidising

Regulatory note

  • EU 1223/2009 Annex IIIRestricted

    Maximum concentration: 0.7%

Industry GHS notices (PubChem)

These are industry self-reports to ECHA, not our regulatory assessment.

  • H241(100.0%)- H241
  • H242(100.0%)- H242
  • H251- H251
  • H316- H316
  • H317(100.0%)- May cause an allergic skin reaction
  • H319(100.0%)- Causes serious eye irritation
  • H335- May cause respiratory irritation
  • H361- Suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child
  • H400(68.8%)- Very toxic to aquatic life
  • H410(25.6%)- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects
PubChem CID 7187
The verdict isn’t ours: below is what ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database), SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) said, verbatim.

What The Sources Say

SCCS (EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety)3
Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Hydroquinone (HQ)

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Hydroquinone methylether (MEHQ) in artificial nail systems

Safety assessment

EU 1223/2009 Annex III — SCCS opinion: Opinion on The Use of Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO)

IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer)1
General assessmentView source →

IARC Group 3 — Not classifiable as to carcinogenicity. The available evidence is insufficient for a classification. This does NOT mean 'safe'; it means 'not enough data'. (Monograph volume: 36, Sup 7, 71). Caveat: IARC classifies HAZARD, not RISK — it says 'can cause cancer under some conditions', not 'causes cancer at cosmetic use levels'. Route and dose must be assessed separately. Data is a 01/2021 snapshot.

ToxValDB (EPA Toxicity Value Database)13
Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Irritation, classification: Not classified. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Category 1. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Eye Irritation, classification: Category 6.4A (Category 2A). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: Skin Sensitization, classification: Category 6.5B (Category 1). Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

Hazard claimView source →

EPA ToxValDB skin/eye data — endpoint: skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA), classification: High Frequency of Sensitization, species: guinea pig, study: skin sensitization, guideline: according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation), year: 1996. Caveat: this is an aggregated record; dose, species and route of exposure must be considered together.

+8 more records.

Scientific References