Hydroquinone is a topical lightening product found in OTC products, and is used to correct skin discoloration associated with disorders of hyperpigmentation including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmention, sunspots, and freckles. It can be used alone, but is more frequently found in combination with other agents such as alpha-hydroxy acids, corticosteroids, retinoids, or sunscreen. Hydroquinone has come under scrutiny due to several complications associated with its use, including dermal irritation, exogenous onchronosis, and carginogenicity. As a result of these concerns, hydroquinone has been banned in the EU and UK.
Synonyms
Quinol
p-hydroxyphenol
p-Benzenediol
1,4-dihydroxybenzene
benzene-1,4-diol
p-Hydroquinone
1,4-benzenediol
4-Hydroxyphenol
Hydroquinone
Brand Names
Clear-N-Smooth PLUS
Idole Beauty
Double White
Light The Way
CONDITION AND ENHANCE BLENDER Skin Lightener and Blending
Obagi-C Rx system C-Therapy Night Skin Lightening with Vitamins C and E
Fair and White
Melquin 3
Scarlight MD
Lustra
OLIVIA QUIDO FIRM and FADE I
Dark Spot Lightening Cream
OLIVIA QUIDO FIRM and FADE II
Banishing Cream
Continuum Unifying Lotion II
Vivant True Tone Forte
Conditioning Gel
Teatrical Skin Lightening Skin Lightener
Indication
Hydroquinone is used as an OTC topical lightening agent for disorders of hyperpigmentation including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmention, sunspots and freckles.
Categories
Antioxidants
Benzene Derivatives
Biological Factors
Compounds used in a research, industrial, or household setting
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682