What Is Strontium peroxide?

Learn about the bleaching and oxidizing characteristics of Strontium peroxide and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Strontium peroxide? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Strontium peroxide?

Section Link

Strontium peroxide is a white powder that can bleach and oxidize things when it's used in cosmetics. It doesn't dissolve in water and can break down slowly if exposed to water. It won't catch on fire by itself, but it can make other flammable things burn faster.

What is the purpose of Strontium peroxide in personal care products? It is used for its bleaching and oxidizing characteristics. Strontium peroxide lightens color of materials/surfaces and clean/disinfect/preserve.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Strontium Peroxide, Strontium peroxide (Sr(O2)), [Hydrogen peroxido(2-)-κ~2~O,O']strontium, and "Strontium, [hydrogen peroxido(2-)-kappaO,kappaO']-".

What Are Bleaching Ingredients?

Section Link

Strontium peroxide has bleaching characteristics.

Bleaching ingredients are used in products to lighten or remove the color from a surface. They work by breaking down the pigments or dyes in the material, which results in a lighter shade or complete removal of the color.

Bleaching ingredients are added to cosmetic products to lighten or brighten the skin. They work by reducing the amount of melanin in the skin, which is the pigment that gives skin its color.

Bleaching ingredients can be found in various products, including hair dyes, fabric cleaners, and even toothpaste. In hair dyes, bleaching ingredients remove the natural pigments in hair to make it lighter. Fabric cleaners help remove stains and brighten colors. In toothpaste, they help remove stains on teeth to make them appear whiter.

Types of Bleaching Ingredients

Here are some of the most common types of bleaching ingredients in cosmetics:

  • Hydroquinone derivatives: Hydroquinone is a widely used skin-lightening agent that inhibits melanin production in the skin. Its derivatives, such as arbutin, break down melanin pigments, resulting in a lighter complexion.

  • Arbutin and other glycosides: Arbutin is a natural hydroquinone derivative derived from plants. It works by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production. Other glycosides, such as kojic acid, also inhibit tyrosinase activity and promote a brighter, more even complexion.

  • Kojic acid derivatives: Kojic acid is a natural skin-lightening agent derived from fungi. It works by inhibiting melanin production in the skin, resulting in a more even skin tone and a brighter complexion.

  • Retinoids: Retinoids, such as retinol and retinoic acid, are derivatives of vitamin A that are used to treat various skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation. They work by increasing cell turnover and inhibiting the production of melanin, which can result in a more even complexion.

  • Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs): AHAs, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, are exfoliating agents that promote cell turnover and remove dead skin cells from the skin's surface, which can result in a brighter, more even complexion.

  • Botanical extracts: Some botanical extracts, such as licorice root extract and mulberry extract, contain natural compounds that inhibit melanin production and promote a brighter, more even complexion. These extracts can be used alone or in combination with other skin-lightening agents to enhance their efficacy.

What Are Oxidizing Ingredients?

Section Link

Strontium peroxide has oxidizing characteristics.

Oxidizing ingredients are commonly found in cosmetic products such as toothpaste and mouthwash. They release oxygen to clean and protect the oral cavity, removing surface stains from teeth and killing bacteria that cause bad breath.

Oxidizing agents are also used in cleaning agents to break down and remove stains and in water treatment products to remove impurities. Food preservation also uses oxidizing agents to prevent spoilage and extend shelf life, while some agents like ozone and hydrogen peroxide are used as disinfectants to kill bacteria and viruses.

Safety

Section Link

Remember, always read and follow the instructions provided on product labels carefully. If you have any questions or concerns about using a product containing various ingredients, consult with your doctor or healthcare provider before use.