benzoyl peroxide

noun

|Updated on: 9 Aug 2018

Definition of benzoyl peroxide

: a colorless to white crystalline compound C₁₄H₁₀O₄ that is used as a bleaching agent (as for whitening flour), as a catalyst for the synthesis of polymers (such as polystyrene), and medically as an antibacterial and keratolytic agent especially for the topical treatment of acne

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Recent Examples of benzoyl peroxide from the Web

For example, retinol and other exfoliating ingredients—salicylic acid, glycolic acid, and benzoyl peroxide—should not be used at the same time because the skin can get really dry.

— rachel jacoby zoldan, SELF, "The 9 Best Skin-Care Tips I’ve Learned in 10 Years of Being a Beauty Editor," 13 July 2018
Typically, this is as easy as lathering up with a body wash containing sulfur or benzoyl peroxide.

— macaela mackenzie, Allure, "How to Tell If Your Itchy Skin Is Actually Heat Rash This Summer," 2 May 2018
Like, is the water in Rosewood secretly filtered with salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide?

— lindsay schallon, Glamour, "Shay Mitchell on the Secrets Behind Her Great Skin," 5 July 2018
Both salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are effective OTC acne medicines.

— joe graedon, m.s., and teresa graedon, Houston Chronicle, "Changing washcloths daily helps control acne," 23 June 2018
Another remedy that was popular both then and now is the use of benzoyl peroxide, which was used in the form of an ointment in the 1930s and since has become a fixture in a plethora of acne-fighting products.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Watch 100 Years of Acne Treatment History in Just 4 Minutes," 26 Apr. 2018
If you’ve never used benzoyl peroxide before, introduce it to your routine once every three days before using it nightly.

— ruby buddemeyer, Marie Claire, "Behold: The 5 Most Likely Causes for Those Random Red Spots on Your Skin," 14 Feb. 2018
One study even found that anti-microbial tea tree oil was as powerful as benzoyl peroxide in treating acne.

— allison young, Good Housekeeping, "6 Ways You Can Use Essential Oils To Treat And Prevent Acne Naturally," 8 Nov. 2017
Most spot treatments contain varying percentages of either salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide as active ingredients.

— sophie wirt, Allure, "The 14 Best Acne Spot Treatments That Get Rid of Pimples Fast," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'benzoyl peroxide.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.