What is the Difference Between Benzoyl Peroxide and Benzyl Benzoate

The key difference between benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate is that benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne that is common on faces, scalp, back, or other areas of the skin, whereas benzyl benzoate is used to treat scabies and should not be used on open wounds of cuts.

Benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate are derivatives of benzene, and these are important organic compounds with different applications.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Benzoyl Peroxide
3. What is Benzyl Benzoate
4. Benzoyl Peroxide vs Benzyl Benzoate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Benzoyl Peroxide vs Benzyl Benzoate

What is Benzoyl Peroxide?

Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₀O₄. There are two major applications of this compound: as a medication and as an industrial chemical. Its molar mass is 242.33 g/mol. It has a melting point in the range of 103 to 105 °C. However, it tends to undergo decomposition. It is water-insoluble because it cannot form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

This compound is a major ingredient in medication and cosmetics that we use to treat acne. We use it to treat mild or moderate acne conditions. In addition, we use this compound as bleaching flour, for hair bleaching purposes, teeth whitening, textile bleaching purposes, etc. There are some side effects of using benzoyl peroxide, such as skin irritation, dryness, peeling, etc.

What is Benzyl Benzoate?

Benzyl benzoate is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₂. The molar mass of this compound is 212.24 g/mol. It has a density of about 1.12 g/cm³. The melting point of this compound is 18 degrees Celsius, and the boiling point is 323 degrees Celsius. It is mostly insoluble in water.

It is useful as a medication to treat scabies and lice. Moreover, we can apply it on the skin as a lotion as well. This compound can occur in Balsam of Peru, Tolu balsam, and many other flowers. There are some side effects of benzyl benzoate, such as irritation of the skin, so it is not recommended for children. Moreover, it is considered to be toxic for cats.

Benzyl benzoate is the ester of benzyl alcohol and benzoic acid. Moreover, this compound forms either a viscous liquid or solid flakes. It has a weak, sweet-balsamic odor. Moreover, benzyl benzoate occurs in a number of blossoms such as tuberose, hyacinth, etc. It is also a component of Balsam of Peru and Tolu balsam.

Industrially, benzyl benzoate can be produced via the reaction between sodium benzoate and benzyl alcohol in the presence of a base. It can also be done via transesterification of methyl benzoate and benzyl alcohol. In addition, benzyl benzoate is a byproduct of benzoic acid synthesis via toluene oxidation.

What is the Difference Between Benzoyl Peroxide and Benzyl Benzoate?

Benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate are important organic compounds. The key difference between benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate is that benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne, which is common on faces, scalp, back, or other areas of the skin, whereas benzoyl benzoate is used to treat scabies and should not be used on open wounds of cuts.

The below infographic presents the differences between benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Benzoyl Peroxide vs Benzyl Benzoate

Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₀O_4, while benzyl benzoate is an organic compound having the chemical formula C₁₄H₁₂O₂. The key difference between benzoyl peroxide and benzyl benzoate is that benzoyl peroxide is used to treat acne that is common on faces, scalp, back, or other areas of skin, whereas benzyl benzoate is used to treat scabies and should not be used on open wounds of cuts.

Reference:

1. “Benzyl Benzoate: View Uses, Side Effects and Medicines.” 1mg.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Benzoyl peroxide gel” By Obli at the English-language Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Benzyl benzoate ball-and-stick” By MarinaVladivostok – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia