Magnesium peroxide is a fine powder peroxide

Peroxide

A peroxide is a compound containing an oxygen–oxygen single bond or the peroxide anion .The O−O group is called the peroxide group or peroxo group. In contrast to oxide ions, the oxygen atoms in the peroxide ion have an oxidation state of −1.The simplest stable peroxide is hydrogen peroxide...

 with a white to off-white color. It is similar to calcium peroxide

Calcium peroxide

Calcium peroxide is a solid peroxide with a white or yellowish color. For all practical purposes calcium peroxide is insoluble in water but will dissolve in acid to form hydrogen peroxide...

 because magnesium peroxide also releases oxygen

Oxygen

Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...

 by breaking down at a controlled rate with a hydrous fluid. Besides this it can be used in bleaching, disinfecting, and deodorizing.

In contact with water it decomposes by the reactions:

MgO₂+ 2 H₂O → Mg(OH)₂ + H₂O₂

2 H₂O₂ → 2 H₂O + O₂

Magnesium peroxide being environmentally benign and its stable oxygen release are used widely in the cosmetic

Cosmetics

Cosmetics are substances used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body. Cosmetics include skin-care creams, lotions, powders, perfumes, lipsticks, fingernail and toe nail polish, eye and facial makeup, towelettes, permanent waves, colored contact lenses, hair colors, hair sprays and...

, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and environmental

Natural environment

The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....

 industries.