What Is Sodium percarbonate?

Learn about the deodorant and oxidizing characteristics of Sodium percarbonate and its usage in personal care products.

What Is Sodium percarbonate? Brandon Jones / IngredientReviewer

Last Updated: October 2, 2024

Written by Brandon Jones

What Is Sodium percarbonate?

Section Link

Sodium percarbonate is a white solid powder that can be used in cosmetics as a deodorant and for oxidizing. It is also used to make other chemicals. However, it should be handled with care because it can irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and may even be toxic if ingested. Additionally, it may catch fire when in contact with organic materials. Sodium percarbonate comes in different forms such as dry powder, solid pellets or large crystals.

What is the purpose of Sodium percarbonate in personal care products? It is used for its deodorant and oxidizing characteristics. Sodium percarbonate prevents odor-causing bacteria and clean/disinfect/preserve.

Names and identifiers that we found for this substance include: Sodium percarbonate, Sodium Carbonate Peroxide, Sodium carbonate--hydrogen peroxide (4/2/3), and "Carbonic acid disodium salt, compd. with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (2:3)".

What Are Deodorant Ingredients?

Section Link

Sodium percarbonate has deodorant characteristics.

Deodorant ingredients are a common product used to prevent odor-causing bacteria. One of the most common deodorant ingredients is aluminum-based compounds, which can block sweat glands and reduce the amount of sweat produced. Fragrances are another common deodorant ingredient that masks unpleasant odors and provides a pleasant scent. In addition, triclosan is an antibacterial agent that kills skin bacteria and helps prevent body odor.

While these ingredients can effectively prevent odor-causing bacteria, some people may be concerned about the potential health risks associated with their use. Luckily many alternative deodorant options are formulated with safe and natural ingredients, which can also prevent the growth of bacteria and maintain personal hygiene.

When choosing a deodorant, finding one that works well with your body's unique chemistry and that you enjoy using is essential. The type of deodorant you choose will ultimately depend on your personal preferences and individual needs.

Types of Deodorant Ingredients

Here are some common types of deodorant ingredients, along with an explanation of what each ingredient does:

  • Aluminum Compounds: Aluminum compounds are the active ingredients in antiperspirants, a type of deodorant that also helps reduce sweat. These compounds work by temporarily plugging sweat ducts, which reduces the amount of sweat that reaches the skin's surface. This reduces the amount of moisture available for bacteria to feed on and therefore reduces odor.

  • Fragrances: Fragrances can help mask body odor by adding a pleasant scent to the skin. Fragrances can mask body odor, particularly those with strong and long-lasting scents. They work by overpowering the unpleasant smell of sweat with a more appealing fragrance.

  • Antibacterial agents: Antibacterial agents can be used as deodorant ingredients because they help to eliminate the odor-causing bacteria on the skin that can lead to body odor. Antibacterial agents work by either killing the bacteria or inhibiting their growth, which results in less odor being produced on the skin.

What Are Oxidizing Ingredients?

Section Link

Sodium percarbonate 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.