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

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

Melasma treatments include over-the-counter skincare products that brighten or exfoliate and prescription medications such as topical hydroquinone. —Angela Palmer Updated, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 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)