hydroquinone

noun

hy·​dro·​qui·​none ˌhī-drō-kwi-ˈnōn How to pronounce hydroquinone (audio) -ˈkwi-ˌnōn How to pronounce hydroquinone (audio)
: 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 See all Example Sentences for hydroquinone 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of hydroquinone was circa 1872

Dictionary Entries Near hydroquinone

Cite this Entry

“Hydroquinone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hydroquinone. Accessed 13 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

hydroquinone

noun
hy·​dro·​qui·​none -kwin-ˈōn How to pronounce hydroquinone (audio) -ˈkwin-ˌōn How to pronounce hydroquinone (audio)
: a bleaching agent C6H6O2 used topically to remove pigmentation from hyperpigmented areas of skin (as a lentigo or freckle)
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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