{"id":27797,"date":"2017-06-15T14:00:58","date_gmt":"2017-06-15T14:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/natural-organic-blog\/?p=24494"},"modified":"2017-06-15T14:00:58","modified_gmt":"2017-06-15T14:00:58","slug":"hydogen-peroxide-hero-villain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.faithful-to-nature.co.za\/blog\/hydogen-peroxide-hero-villain\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydrogen Peroxide: Hero or Villain?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our green team is so excited about the arrival of the HAIRPRINT range<\/a> \u2013 a completely natural colour restoration system for greying hair. We\u2019re one of the few online retailers in South Africa to stock these coveted products, and of course, that means we\u2019ve reviewed the ingredients to make sure they meet our green policy.<\/p>\n

These hair care goodies are made with a blend of carefully selected natural ingredients, including velvet bean, diatomaceous earth and \u2013 hydrogen peroxide? <\/span><\/p>\n

This is one ingredient that often stops green-minded shoppers in their tracks. Surely, a substance with \u201cperoxide\u201d in its name has no place in a truly natural hair product? <\/span><\/p>\n

Well, let\u2019s take a closer look at this often misunderstood ingredient, and you might start to see it in a whole new light.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Hydrogen Peroxide?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Peroxides are compounds that contain an oxygen-oxygen single bond in their chemical makeup. They are known for having a bleaching effect on organic substances. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrogen peroxide is the simplest peroxide; a compound with the formula H2O2. In its pure form, it\u2019s a clear liquid that\u2019s slightly thicker than water.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does Hydrogen Peroxide Do?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Hydrogen peroxide has antiseptic, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It acts as a multi-purpose natural cleaner and disinfectant and bleaching agent. The release of oxygen creates a reaction that causes foaming, and this helps to break down dirt, bacteria and bad odours. <\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrogen peroxide is used as an ingredient in eco-cleaning products like <\/span>ProNature Mould Stop<\/span><\/a>, and <\/span>Apothecary Oxygen Bleach<\/span><\/a>, as a natural alternative to chlorine bleach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Hydrogen Peroxide Safe?<\/b><\/h3>\n

At first glance, the name \u201chydrogen peroxide\u201d sounds pretty artificial. As green-minded consumers, we tend to use the rule of thumb that any ingredient with a long, complicated or artificial-sounding name should be avoided. And while this rule generally serves us well, it can occasionally be misleading. <\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes a complex name is simply the formal scientific term for a really natural substance. Examples include:<\/span><\/p>\n