Hydroquinone, p-Dihydroxybenzene, p-hydroxyphenol, Quinol and Chemically named 1,4-benzenediol, is a white colored (sand like) solid. It is used in developers for photography and lithography, to produce rubber and food antioxidant, as inhibitor and a stabilizer in paints, varnishes, motor, fuels and oils. It is also used as skin lightening agent in skin care products formulation. Despite all of the above health benefits, Hydroquinone known as hazardous substance and cause adverse potential health effect including skin irritation, fetal poisoning when swallowed and skin allergy. Hydroquinone based skin care products are used widely by the customer for depigmentation purpose and if you are one of them. Remember the following to reduce or minimize the health risk associated with its toxicity effect:

·  Applying hydroquinone to skin and then exposing the skin to sunlight markedly increases potential toxicity

·   Hydroquinone is easily absorbed into the skin and its absorption increases dramatically when alcohols are present in a preparation, means it is better to check first labels of the product and buy alcohol free hydroquinone based skin care products.

·   Long term exposure may affect the liver and kidneys

·     Lastly, rather than use hydroquinone based products, try some other skin lightening product.

References

1.  Kamagaju, L.; Bizuru, E.; Minani, V.; Morandini, R.; Stévigny, C.; Ghanem, G.; Duez, P. An ethnobotanical survey of medicinal plants used in Rwanda for voluntary depigmentation. J. Ethnopharmacol. 2013,150, 708–717

2. Tidman, M.J.; Horton, J.J.; MacDonald, D.M. Hydroquinone-induced ochronosis—Light and electronmicroscopic features. Clin. Exp. Dermatol. 1986, 11, 224–228

3.     Zhu, W.; Gao, J. The Use of Botanical Extracts as Topical Skin-Lightening Agents for the Improvement of Skin Pigmentation Disorders. J. Investig. Dermatol. Symp. Proc. 2008, 13, 20–24.

4.      Germanò, M.P.; Cacciola, F.; Donato, P.; Dugo, P.; Certo, G.; D’Angelo, V.; Mondello, L.; Rapisarda, A. Betula pendula leaves: Polyphenolic characterization and potential innovative use in skin whitening products.Fitoterapia 2012, 83, 877–882.