BENZOYL PEROXIDE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does benzoyl peroxide mean? 

• BENZOYL PEROXIDE (noun)
  The noun BENZOYL PEROXIDE has 1 sense:

1. a white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions

  Familiarity information: BENZOYL PEROXIDE used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• BENZOYL PEROXIDE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A white crystalline peroxide used in bleaching (flour or oils or fats) and as a catalyst for free radical reactions

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("benzoyl peroxide" is a kind of...):

blanching agent; bleach; bleaching agent; whitener (an agent that makes things white or colorless)

peroxide (an inorganic compound containing the divalent ion -O-O-)

 Context examples 

Due to its irritant effect, benzoyl peroxide increases turnover rate of epithelial cells, thereby peeling the skin and promoting the resolution of comedones.

(Benzoyl Peroxide, NCI Thesaurus)

Upon topical application, benzoyl peroxide decomposes to release oxygen which is lethal to the bacteria Proprionibacterium acnes.

(Benzoyl Peroxide, NCI Thesaurus)

Benzoyl peroxide is used in the treatment of acne vulgaris.

(Benzoyl Peroxide, NCI Thesaurus)