The Advantages of Hydrogen Peroxide in Personal Care Products

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound with a formula of H2O2. It is a pale blue liquid that appears colorless in a dilute solution, and it has a bitter taste. Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidizer and can be used as a disinfectant, antiseptic, and bleaching agent. It is commonly used in the medical field to clean wounds and as a mouthwash to prevent infections. However, hydrogen peroxide can be dangerous if not used properly. **The main idea:** Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile chemical compound that can be used for various purposes but should be handled with caution.

**The main idea:** Hydrogen peroxide is a versatile chemical compound that can be used for various purposes but should be handled with caution..

hydrogen peroxide

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• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubChem - Hydrogen peroxide
• Chemistry LibreTexts - Hydrogen Peroxide
• WebMD - Hydrogen Peroxide
• State of New Jersey - Department of Health - Hydrogen Peroxide
• Cleveland Clinic - What is Hydrogen Peroxide Good For?
• The Essential Chemical Industry Online - Hydrogen peroxide

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubChem - Hydrogen peroxide
• Chemistry LibreTexts - Hydrogen Peroxide
• WebMD - Hydrogen Peroxide
• State of New Jersey - Department of Health - Hydrogen Peroxide
• Cleveland Clinic - What is Hydrogen Peroxide Good For?
• The Essential Chemical Industry Online - Hydrogen peroxide

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hydrogen peroxide, (H₂O₂), a colourless liquid usually produced as aqueous solutions of various strengths, used principally for bleaching cotton and other textiles and wood pulp, in the manufacture of other chemicals, as a rocket propellant, and for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Solutions containing more than about 8 percent hydrogen peroxide are corrosive to the skin.

First recognized as a chemical compound in 1818, hydrogen peroxide is the simplest member of the class of peroxides. Of the several processes of manufacture, the principal ones involve reactions of oxygen from the air with certain organic compounds, especially anthraquinone or isopropyl alcohol. Major commercial grades are aqueous solutions containing 35, 50, 70, or 90 percent hydrogen peroxide and small amounts of stabilizers (often tin salts and phosphates) to suppress decomposition.

Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen upon heating or in the presence of numerous substances, particularly salts of such metals as iron, copper, manganese, nickel, or chromium. It combines with many compounds to form crystalline solids useful as mild oxidizing agents; the best-known of these is sodium perborate (NaBO₂·H₂O₂·3H₂O or NaBO₃·4H₂O), used in laundry detergents and chlorine-free bleach products. With certain organic compounds, hydrogen peroxide reacts to form hydroperoxides or peroxides, several of which are used to initiate polymerization reactions. In most of its reactions, hydrogen peroxide oxidizes other substances, although it is itself oxidized by a few compounds, such as potassium permanganate.

Pure hydrogen peroxide freezes at −0.43 °C (+31.3 °F) and boils at 150.2 °C (302 °F); it is denser than water and is soluble in it in all proportions.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.

Dr. Madsen: Well, I think in our minds it makes sense that we worry about germs and we have a wound, and then the germs get in through that wound, so we've got to get rid of all the germs. But over time and with experience, we've come to see that pouring that in there and just scrubbing that thing out a lot more with that than is necessary is really damaging the healthy tissue, number one. And then we've also done studies looking at very simple things we can do to clean wounds that work just great, and we don't have to use the hydrogen peroxide.

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Reviews for "Using Hydrogen Peroxide for Mold and Mildew Removal"

1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Spell of Hydrogen Peroxide". The book promised to deliver a fascinating exploration of the properties of hydrogen peroxide, but instead, it felt like a collection of random facts loosely related to the topic. The author failed to provide a cohesive narrative or dive deep into any specific aspect. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacking in creativity, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was not impressed with this book.

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3. David Johnson - 2 stars - I found "The Spell of Hydrogen Peroxide" to be quite underwhelming. While the book did cover the basics of hydrogen peroxide, it lacked depth and failed to provide any new or interesting information. I was hoping for more practical applications and scientific explanations, but instead, it felt like a rushed and superficial overview. The writing style was also uninspiring, making it difficult to maintain interest throughout the book. Overall, I felt this book fell short of its potential and left me wanting more.

4. Sarah Thompson - 1 star - I regret picking up "The Spell of Hydrogen Peroxide". The book promised to reveal the mysterious properties and potential powers of hydrogen peroxide, but it only scratched the surface. The information provided was generic and lacked any real depth or scientific backing. Additionally, the writing was repetitive and offered no new insights. I would not recommend wasting your time with this book if you're looking for a thorough exploration of hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide: A Powerful Agent for Removing Stubborn Stains