hydroquinone

noun

hy·​dro·​qui·​none ˌhī-drō-kwi-ˈnōn  -ˈkwi-ˌnōn 

: a white crystalline strongly reducing phenol C₆H₆O₂ used especially as a photographic developer, as an antioxidant and stabilizer, and in medicine to remove pigmentation from hyperpigmented areas of skin

Examples of hydroquinone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Other popular ingredients like hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, kojic acid, retinoid acid, niacinamide, ascorbic acid, and vitamin C have been well studied and understood to help with evening skin tone and addressing discoloration. —Jamie Wilson, Glamour, 9 Dec. 2024

In a word, business is booming for e.l.f., which doesn’t use parabens, phthalates, triclosan, triclocarban, hydroquinone and nonylphenol ethoxylates in its beauty and skin-care products. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024

Essentially, hydroquinone decreases the production of melanin by inhibiting a pigment-producing enzyme called tyrosinase. —Taryn Brooke, Allure, 13 Nov. 2023

Thanks to its stabilized vitamin C and prescription strength hydroquinone, this brightening serum takes dark spots to task. —Anneke Knot, wsj.com, 3 Nov. 2023

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1872, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

hydroquinone

noun

hy·​dro·​qui·​none -kwin-ˈōn  -ˈkwin-ˌōn 

: a bleaching agent C₆H₆O₂ used topically to remove pigmentation from hyperpigmented areas of skin (as a lentigo or freckle)