Hydroquinone: A Common Skin Ingredient With Unfounded Safety Concerns

Hydroquinone has been used for decades for the treatment of skin pigmentation disorders. It is commonly used to treat dark spots and age spots. I know a woman who used Hydroquinone as a skin whitening cream for 10 years! But Hydroquinone isn’t the only skin brightening agent on the market today. There are many other products on the market containing hydroquinone. Which one is the best?

The best products on the market contain only naturally occurring ingredients like melange (also known as tyrosinase), exfoliation agents, vitamins, and minerals. I personally don’t use any of these ingredients, because they can irritate the skin and cause undesirable side effects. Hydroquinone and other over-the-counter hydroquinone products should be avoided if possible. However, there are a couple of companies that have products that are really effective. Below I review two popular over-the-counter hydroquinone products.

PureLipo is an excellent product in my opinion. While it does not work as quickly as pure hydroquinone creams, it lasts several years and doesn’t irritate the skin at all. The reason I like PureLipo so much is that it contains several healthy ingredients including: vitamins, minerals, and lipids. It has been proven to protect against free radical damage and to stimulate collagen production.

Extrapone Nutgrass is another skin-lightening ingredient that I love to use. One of the main benefits of Extrapone Nutgrass is that it inhibits melanin production. Melanin is what gives skin its color. In addition to increasing color for people who have dark complexions, this ingredient can help prevent future age spots.

There have been numerous studies done on the negative side effects of hydroquinone. One of the dermatologists that conducted one of them stated, “The most serious negative reaction associated with hydroquinone use occurs in patients with preexisting melanoma.” People with very sensitive skin should stay away from this chemical altogether. Some of the side effects of this chemical include: redness, skin discoloration, irritation, burning sensations, itching, and swelling. This skincare product also contains several prescription-only ingredients including mercury, lead, and hydroquinone. For people with very sensitive skin, I highly recommend looking for a brand of skincare products that does not contain hydroquinone.

Hydroquinone creams are the number one choice among dermatologists for treating hyperpigmentation. However, there have been numerous studies conducted that have found no evidence that hydroquinone reduces melanin in any way. This was proven in a study conducted by a major Canadian university. Other studies have shown that hydroquinone causes a significant increase in melanin which leads to further pigmentation. Therefore, dermatologists do not promote the use hydroquinone for treating melasma as it can cause further damage to the skin and even lead to skin cancer.

Hydroquinone has not been banned by the European Union or the U.S Food and Drug Administration despite the fact that there have been several instances where patients have experienced severe side effects including birth defects. One reason that I believe that this ingredient is not necessarily safe for use is because it is a prescription-only ingredient. Anyone who wants to get rid of hyperpigmentation will need a prescription. Additionally, the cost of the treatment is extremely high and can be upwards of $2500 per visit. Not only is it costly but it can be embarrassing to go into a doctor’s office and discuss this problem with them.

The best way to find out if a sunscreen containing Hydroquinone will suit you is to go to your doctor and explain your skin type. If you find that your skin does experience adverse effects from the ingredient then you should definitely stop using the product. There are many other effective natural ingredients that can help you to reduce the appearance of dark patches on your face. If you don’t experience adverse side effects and your physician allows you to continue using the product you should definitely still discuss further information with him or her about further research options available to you. The decision you make about the safety of Hydroquinone will rest solely on your physician’s recommendation.