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
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
The ingredient is a gentler answer to the lightening agent hydroquinone.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
Other studies have found no link between hydroquinone and cancer in human beings.
—Angela Palmer Updated, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Made with potent 2% spot-fading hydroquinone, retinol and vitamin C, this cream from the trusted GH Seal star brand Palmer's is the best-selling dark spot corrector at Walmart.
—Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022
In some cases, the effects of hydroquinone can be seen in as little as two weeks.
—Janell M. Hickman, SELF, 27 July 2022
For clients looking to avoid products with hydroquinone, Stevens also recommends this serum, which combines tranexamic acid and niacinamide to brighten skin.
—Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Nov. 2022
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
The ingredient is a gentler answer to the lightening agent hydroquinone.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023
Other studies have found no link between hydroquinone and cancer in human beings.
—Angela Palmer Updated, Verywell Health, 23 Aug. 2023
Made with potent 2% spot-fading hydroquinone, retinol and vitamin C, this cream from the trusted GH Seal star brand Palmer's is the best-selling dark spot corrector at Walmart.
—Nicole Saporita, Good Housekeeping, 10 May 2022
In some cases, the effects of hydroquinone can be seen in as little as two weeks.
—Janell M. Hickman, SELF, 27 July 2022
For clients looking to avoid products with hydroquinone, Stevens also recommends this serum, which combines tranexamic acid and niacinamide to brighten skin.
—Harper's Bazaar Staff, Harper's BAZAAR, 30 Nov. 2022
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hydroquinone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
circa 1872, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hydroquinone
Cite this Entry
“Hydroquinone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroquinone. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
hydroquinone
noun
hy·dro·qui·none
-kwin-ˈōn
-ˈkwin-ˌōn
-ˈkwin-ˌōn
: a bleaching agent C6H6O2 used topically to remove pigmentation from hyperpigmented areas of skin (as a lentigo or freckle)
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