murphyHydrogen Peroxide
AKA: 7722-84-1, Oxydol, Perhydrol, Superoxol, Interox, Hydrogen dioxide, Inhibine, Peroxaan, Albone
Synthetic
Preservative
Not Clean
OriginHydrogen peroxide is a synthetic chemical compound produced from the hydrogenation of anthraquinone or through direct synthesis from hydrogen and oxygen. It is manufactured industrially via the anthraquinone process, where anthraquinone is reduced and oxidized cyclically to generate hydrogen peroxide.
Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide with a chemical formula H2O2. Hydrogen peroxide is an unstable compound in the presence of a base or catalyst, and is typically stored with a stabilizer in a weakly acidic solution. If heated to its boiling point, it may undergo potentially explosive thermal decomposition. Hydrogen peroxide is formed in the body of mammals during reduction of oxygen either directly in a two-electron transfer reaction. As a natural product of metabolism, it readily undergoes decomposition by catalase in normal cells. Due to its potent and broad-spectrum antimicrobial actions, hydrogen peroxide is used in both liquid and gas form for preservative, disinfection and sterilization applications as an oxidative biocide. It is used in industrial and cosmetic applications as a bleaching agent. Hydrogen peroxide is also considered as a generally recognized as safe compound by the FDA; it is used as an antimicrobial agent in starch and cheese products, and as an oxidiz
Solubility greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 72 °F (NTP, 1992)
Formula
H2O2
Mol. Weight
34.02
CAS #
7722-84-1
Form
Powder
State
Hydrogen peroxide, aqueous solution, stabilized, with more than 60% hydrogen peroxide appears as a colorless liquid. Vapors may irritate the eyes and mucous membranes. Under prolonged exposure to fire
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
General
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
Caution
Functions
Antimicrobial
Keeps your product from growing bacteria, mold, or yeast. Without these, that jar of cream becomes a petri dish in about a week.
Oral Care
Oxidising
Fights Bacteria
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →
⚖️Regulatory1 listing →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
5
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
Caution
CIR Safety Findings
Not a Sensitizer
2 studies / 2 not sensitizing / plus 5 case reports (CIR 765)
Mixed Skin Irritation Results
17 studies / 13 irritating / 2 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions mild to corrosive / plus 3 case reports (CIR 765)
Mixed Eye Irritation Results
11 studies / 8 irritating / 1 mixed / 2 not irritating / reactions severe to corrosive / plus 2 case reports (CIR 765)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.000002–4%
Rinse-off0.000003–15%
0%50%100%
Reg. limit 12%
CIR reported use · report published 2024
EU regulatory limit: 12.0%. (a) 12% of H2O2 (40 volumes), present or released (b) 4% of H2O2, present or released (c) 2% of H2O2, present or released (d) ≤ 0,1 % of H 2O 2, present or released e) > 0,1 % ≤ 6 % of H2O2, present or released (f) 2 % of H 2O 2, present or released. For (a) and (f): Wear suitable gloves For (a) (b) (c) and (e): Contains hydrogen peroxide. Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse immediately if product comes into contact with them. (e) Concentration of H 2O... Source: EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, Annex III (Restricted Substances), Entry 12.
Regulatory Agencies
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR