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Investigating the Stability of Benzoyl Peroxide in Over-the-Counter Acne Medications

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Arlyne M. Sarquis and Laura M. Sennet

Center for Chemical Education, Miami University Middletown, Middletown, OH 45042

Marina Canepa Kittredge , Kevin W. Kittredge and Melissa S. Sokol

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Siena College, Loudonville, NY 12211

J. Chem. Educ., 2008, 85 (12), p 1655

DOI: 10.1021/ed085p1655

Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2008

Abstract

One of the most commonly used ingredients in over-the-counter acne treatments in cream, gel, and wash form is benzoyl peroxide. It is an anti-bacterial agent that kills the bacterium (Propionibacterium acne) involved in the formation of acne. The formulation of these products is extremely difficult owing to the instability of benzoyl peroxide. Benzoyl peroxide is soluble in polyethylene glycol (PEG) and isopropyl myristate, but it is not stable in these solvents. Also, it is practically insoluble in water and only slightly soluble in ethanol but is very stable in the presence of these solvents. The stability of benzoyl peroxide in PEG or isopropyl myristate is increased upon addition of water or ethanol. Students take on the role of the process chemist and use peroxide strips to investigate the stability of benzoyl peroxide in an over-the-counter acne medication in solutions of water, ethanol, PEG, 50:50 ethanol:PEG, 50:50 water:PEG, isopropyl myristate, and 50:50 ethanol:isopropyl myristate.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Laboratory Instruction

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Hands-On Learning / Manipulatives

Keywords (Subject):

Consumer Chemistry

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