PLDEFRESITJęzyk: polski
INCI name

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide

AntimicrobialOral careOxidisingreviewed

An oxidising agent used in hair colouring and tooth whitening.

What it is

Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidising agent. In hair dyes it develops the colour and lightens natural pigment; in oral products it is used for whitening.

Where it is used

Hair dyes, bleaching products, tooth whitening products and some mouthwashes.

Limits of interpretation

The INCI list shows which ingredients are present, not how much of each. Above 1%, ingredients are listed in descending order of weight; below 1% the order is free.

Its use is restricted in Annex III of the EU cosmetics regulation, with limits and warnings that depend on the product type; see the EU regulation section.

Functions

Antimicrobial
Preventing and/or slowing down microbial growth.
Oral care
Providing cosmetic effects to the oral cavity, e.g. cleansing, deodorising, protecting.
Oxidising
Changing the chemical nature of another ingredient by adding oxygen (or removing hydrogen).

EU regulation

EU · Annex III, entry 12Hydrogen peroxide and other compounds or mixtures that release hydrogen peroxide, including carbamide peroxide and zinc peroxide, with the exception of the following substances in Annex II: No 1397, 1398, 1399
Product type
(a) Hair products (b) Skin products (c) Nail hardening products (d) Oral products, including mouth rinse, tooth paste and tooth whitening or bleaching products (e) Tooth whitening or bleaching products (f) Products intended for eyelashes
Maximum concentration
(a) 12 % of H2O2 (40 volumes), present or released (b) 4 % of H2O2, present or released (c) 2 % of H2O2, present or released (d) ≤ 0,1 % of H2O2, present or released (e) > 0,1 % ≤ 6 % of H2O2, present or released (f) 2 % of H2O2, present or released
Conditions and warnings
(a) (f) Wear suitable gloves (a) (b) (c) (e) Contains hydrogen peroxide Avoid contact with eyes Rinse immediately if product comes into contact with them. (e) Concentration of H2O2 present or released indicated in percentage. Not to be used on a person under 18 years of age. To be only sold to dental practitioners. For each cycle of use, the first use to be only done by dental practitioners or under their direct supervision if an equivalent level of safety is ensured. Afterwards to be provided to the consumer to complete the cycle of use. f) To be printed on the label: ‘For professional use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Rinse eyes immediately if product comes into contact with them. Contains hydrogen peroxide
As of
3 November 2026 · (EU) 2019/831

Safety Gate alerts (EU)

22 alerts about dangerous cosmetics in the EU mention this substance. An alert concerns a specific product, usually one that breaks EU rules.

See all alerts →

Products with this ingredient (80)

Check a full ingredient list