What is Hydroquinone? 8 Best Hydroquinone Skincare Products for Dark Spots

• What is hydroquinone?
  

Hydroquinone is a skin-bleaching agent that is used to lighten areas of darkened skin such as freckles, melasma, age spots, and acne scars.

Various preparations are available including creams, emulsions, gels, lotions and solutions. It is available over the counter in a 2% cream and can be prescribed by your dermatologist in higher concentrations.

• How does it work?

Melanin is a pigment that gives the skin and hair their color. It is responsible for freckles and other dark patches on the skin. Melanin is made by melanocytes, which are cells present in the skin and other parts of the body.

In cases of hyperpigmentation, more melanin is present due to an increase in melanocyte production. By controlling these melanocytes, your skin will become more evenly toned over time.

It takes about four weeks on average for the ingredient to take effect. It may take several months of consistent use before you see full results.

Attention: Exposure to sunlight reverses the effects of hydroquinone. Doctors recommend that people who use this product also use a strong sunscreen.

• Possible side effects and risks

To date, hydroquinone is deemed safe in the United States. There isn’t any clinical evidenceTrusted Source currently to suggest that hydroquinone is harmful to humans.

However, minor side effects are still possible. Some users may experience minor and temporary skin irritations including mild itching or stinging and reddening of the skin (irritant contact dermatitis). If these do not subside, stop using the cream.

In rare casesTrusted Source, hydroquinone has caused a condition called ochronosis. It’s marked by papules and bluish-black pigmentation. This can occur after prolonged daily use. As such, you shouldn’t use products with this ingredient for more than five months at a time.

• Best hydroquinone skincare products for dark spots

| Glo Skin Beauty Lightening Serum 

( $46.40, up to 7% cashback at Dermstore)

Battles hyperpigmentation with a highly effective combination of 2% Hydroquinone, melanin inhibitors and mild exfoliants. 

Hydroquinone, lactic and kojic acids exfoliates to increase cell turnover while melanin inhibitors counteract the formation of dark spots. Vitamin C brightens your complexion and neutralizes free radicals. Witch hazel tones and balances pH levels for skin that is clear, even and healthy. Level 2 brightening: powerful skin lightening.

| PCA SKIN Pigment Gel 

($64, up to 8% cashback at SkinStore)

Lighten all forms of hyperpigmentation and discoloration with this spot-treatment serum with hydroquinone that delivers brilliant results. The combination of hydroquinone and AHAs help refine and improve your complexion over time. Lactic acid gently exfoliates dead skin cells while potent antioxidants neutralize free radicals to protect your skin from premature aging.

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| Urban Skin Rx® Even Tone Night Treatment

( $68, up to 7% cashback at Dermstore)

Gentle Even Tone Night Treatment includes 2% Hydroquinone, an effective ingredient for lightening dark marks and hyperpigmentation. For the gradual fading of discolorations in the skin, including dark spots, age spots and freckles. The formula also blends with retinol that improves the appearance of uneven skin tone, fine lines and blemishes.

| Admire My Skin Ultra Potent Brightening Serum

( $24 at Amazon)

With 2% hydroquinone and a blend of ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, and vitamin C, this cream is here to reduce dark spots and enhance your skin tone. The cream is also great for treating melasma and gently peels off the dark spots to reveal brighter and lighter skin. 

This is a potent, yet extremely effective product. Some sensitive skin types may experience a slight burning sensation. While this it normal, you may want to use the product every third day to begin with and build up to more frequent use. You will also want to follow with a high quality, nourishing moisturizer and always wear SPF during the day.

| Murad Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum 

($72, up to 10% cashback at LOOKFANTASTIC US)

This formula combines the maximum levels available without a prescription of the gold standard in sun and age spot lightening.

Rapid Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Serum combines hydroquinone with hexapeptide-2, a powerful skin-brightening peptide that helps lighten dark spots and prevent the appearance of future damage for a more even, more radiant skin tone. Exfoliating glycolic acid lifts away dull, dead skin cells and allows active ingredients to penetrate more quickly, so you see spots fade faster and more radiant skin sooner.

| Vivier Advanced Skin Lightening Serum

($142 at SkincareRX)

Formulated with pharmaceutical grade Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid USP) and 2% Hydroquinone USP, this serum targets anti-aging and skin brightening . Gradually lightens hyperpigmentation such as age spots, liver spots, freckles or melasma.

The lightweight texture absorbs quickly for easy application, day or night, for brighter, more youthful skin. Ideal for all skin types.

| Paula's Choice CLINICALTriple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 7% AHA Lotion

($29, up to 7% cashback at Paula's Choice)

CLINICAL Triple-Action Dark Spot Eraser 7% AHA Lotion is a highly specialized anti-aging product that works in three ways to improve the appearance of skin: 2% hydroquinone fades dark spots and discolorations; 7% glycolic acid exfoliates to refine skin texture to promote a radiant complexion; and antioxidants help replenish for younger-looking, radiant skin.

The packaging keeps the key light- and air-sensitive ingredients stable while the fragrance-free formula goes to work. This lotion is best for normal to dry skin, and is formulated for anyone struggling with skin discolorations, uneven skin tone, and rough skin texture.

| M&M Beauty Best Age Spot Remover

( $45.95 at Amazon)

Doctor recommended, the most powerful dark spot corrector available without a prescription. Smooth light cream is infused with aloe, lavender oil, rose water, grape that helps fade dark spots, brown spots, facial rosacea, acne scars, sun spots on hands, face, and arms.

The formula contains 2% hydroquinone, so be sure to test it on your wrist or arm beforehand.

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