Is Benzoyl Peroxide safe in cosmetics?
Benzoyl Peroxide has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: restricted.
Benzoyl Peroxide
INCI: BENZOYL PEROXIDE
Benzoyl Peroxide (CAS None) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Antimicrobial (oxidative bactericidal vs C. acnes); keratolytic; no resistance. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS None →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Antimicrobial (oxidative bactericidal vs C. acnes); keratolytic; no resistance development
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
restricted
US Notes
FDA OTC Monograph M017. Permitted 2.5–10%. Oxidative mechanism avoids resistance. 2.5% efficacy comparable to 10% with significantly less irritation. cGMP and drug labeling required.
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Benzoyl Peroxide.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Dermal Penetration Profile
Skin absorption and penetration characteristics of Benzoyl Peroxide, relevant to systemic exposure and MoS calculations.
Absorption %
10-20%
Penetration Level
epidermis
Penetration Depth
epidermis
Molecular Weight
242.2 Da
Log P
1.67
Systemic Absorption
minimal
Topical Bioavailability
6-16%
Safety Margin Factor
moderate
Vehicle Dependent
Yes — absorption varies by formulation
Source: SCCS Opinion, CIR
Additional Ingredient Properties
9 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
acne
{"cas_number": "94-36-0", "anti_acne_mechanism": "antibacterial/keratolytic/comedolytic", "comedogenicity_rating_0_to_5": "0", "acne_type_efficacy": "inflammatory/non_inflammatory", "p_acnes_mic_ug_per_ml": "50-200", "sebum_reduction_pct_clinical": "10-15", "keratolytic_strength": "moderate", "exfoliation_mechanism": "chemical", "optimal_ph_for_efficacy": "5.0-7.0", "peel_depth": "superficial", "p…
baby_pediatric
{"cas_number": "94-36-0", "ingredient_class": "other", "pediatric_safety_rating": "avoid", "minimum_age_months": "12", "neonatal_safe": "no", "premature_infant_safe": "no", "skin_barrier_maturity_consideration": "AVOID: Acne treatment unsuitable for babies; irritating, oxidizing", "transepidermal_absorption_risk_pediatric": "high", "systemic_exposure_concern_pediatric": "moderate", "dose_per_kg_bo…
concentration
{"min_concentration_pct": "2.5", "max_concentration_pct": "10.0", "typical_concentration_pct": "5.0", "product_type": "Leave-on Treatment", "function_at_concentration": "Anti-acne", "source": "FDA OTC Monograph"}
dermal_absorption
{"molecular_weight_da": "242.2", "log_p_value": "1.67", "skin_penetration_level": "epidermis", "penetration_depth": "epidermis", "absorption_pct": "10-20", "systemic_absorption": "minimal", "penetration_enhancer": "yes", "occlusion_effect": "no", "vehicle_dependent": "yes", "skin_barrier_effect": "weakens", "bioavailability_topical_pct": "6-16", "safety_margin_factor": "moderate", "source": "SCCS …
interactions
{"ingredient_2": "Metal containers", "interaction_type": "destabilizing", "severity": "avoid", "effect": "BP can react with metals, degradation", "recommendation": "Use plastic or glass containers only", "data_source": "Formulation science literature, dermatological research, cosmetic chemistry best practices", "last_updated": "2026-03-05"}
microbiome_impact
{"microbiome_effect": "negative", "prebiotic": "no", "probiotic_compatible": "no", "antimicrobial_spectrum": "broad", "preservative_effect_on_microbiome": "Potent oxidizer; severe microbiome disruption; broad antimicrobial", "skin_flora_disruption": "severe", "gut_microbiome_risk": "low", "microbiome_recovery_time": "14-21 days", "selective_antimicrobial": "no", "pathogen_inhibition": "C. acnes, S…
pediatric_safety
{"safe_for_newborn_0_6m": "avoid", "safe_for_infant_6_12m": "avoid", "safe_for_toddler_1_3y": "caution", "safe_for_child_3_12y": "caution", "safe_for_teen_12_18y": "yes", "pediatric_max_concentration_pct": "0.0", "adult_max_concentration_pct": "2.5", "pediatric_dermal_absorption_factor": "high", "immature_skin_barrier_risk": "high", "oral_ingestion_risk": "low", "eye_irritation_risk": "high", "dia…
pregnancy_detail
{"pregnancy_safe": "yes", "breastfeeding_safe": "yes", "risk_category": "FDA-C", "reason": "Safe topically in limited amounts; ~5% absorbed, rapidly metabolized", "alternative_ingredient": "N/A (limit to ≤5%)", "source": "ACOG; PMC3114665"}
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Benzoyl Peroxide.
Regulatory Flags
OTC Drug (US)
fda_food_additive
eu_cosing_listed
jecfa_safe
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Benzoyl Peroxide allowed in the EU?
Benzoyl Peroxide EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Benzoyl Peroxide do in cosmetics?
Benzoyl Peroxide functions as: Antimicrobial (oxidative bactericidal vs C. acnes); keratolytic; no resistance development. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: None.
Compliance Tools
Check Benzoyl Peroxide compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
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