Database/Oxidising/Benzoyl Peroxide
100% petroleum · ISO 16128

Is Benzoyl Peroxide natural?

No. Built entirely from benzoyl (toluene-derived) fragments; benzene derivatives are classified petrochemical regardless of the peroxide linkage.

INCI nameBenzoyl Peroxide
CAS94-36-0
FormulaC14H10O4 · 242.23 Da
FunctionOxidising
FeedstockBenzoyl peroxide is manufactured from benzoyl chloride or…

How we scored it

Whole molecule is benzoyl groups (toluene/benzoic-acid derived) linked by a peroxide bridge; benzene derivatives are petrochemical. 0/242 = 0.0.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

How it’s made

Acylation of H₂O₂ twice by benzoyl chloride (HOO⁻, then perbenzoate; addition–elimination ×2). Each curved arrow moves one electron pair, and the film ends on the score above.

Where it comes from

Benzoyl peroxide is manufactured from benzoyl chloride or benzoic acid, made industrially from petrochemical toluene, reacted with hydrogen peroxide. No commercial natural-origin route exists.

In plain English

A lab-made oxidising compound manufactured from petrochemical feedstocks. Used as an active ingredient in topical acne treatments.

Natural alternatives with the same function

Calcium Peroxide 100% natural origin

An inorganic calcium compound made by reacting a calcium salt with hydrogen peroxide. Used as an oxidising agent…

 Hydrogen Peroxide 100% natural origin

A simple oxidising compound of hydrogen and oxygen, used to bleach or disinfect. Manufactured industrially rather than extracted,…

 Hypochlorous Acid 100% natural origin

A weak inorganic acid that forms when chlorine dissolves in water. In cosmetics it acts as an antimicrobial,…

 Ipomoea Batatas Root Powder 100% natural origin

A fine powder made from dried, ground sweet potato roots. Used in skincare for texture and skin-conditioning; made…

 Laccase 100% natural origin

An enzyme that drives oxidation reactions, such as those used in some hair-colouring systems. It is produced by…

 Magnesium Peroxide 100% natural origin

An inorganic magnesium compound made by reacting a magnesium salt with hydrogen peroxide. Used as an oxidising agent…

Structure

2D structure of Benzoyl Peroxide

benzoyl benzenecarboperoxoate

PubChem CID 7187 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Benzoyl Peroxide. PubChem CID 7187. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3BENZOYL PEROXIDE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4BENZOYL PEROXIDE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=BENZOYL%20PEROXIDE