hydroquinone

American  

[hahy-droh-kwi-nohn, -druh-kwin-ohn] / ˌhaɪ droʊ kwɪˈnoʊn, -drəˈkwɪn oʊn /

noun

Chemistry.

1. a white, crystalline compound, C 6 H 6 O 2 , formed by the reduction of quinone: used chiefly in photography and to inhibit autoxidation reactions.

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hydroquinone British  

/ ˌhaɪdrəʊˈkwɪnɒl, ˌhaɪdrəʊkwɪˈnəʊn /

noun

1. Also called: quinol.  a white crystalline soluble phenol used as a photographic developer; 1,4-dihydroxybenzene. Formula: C 6 H 4 (OH) 2

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Etymology

Origin of hydroquinone

First recorded in 1860–65; hydro- ¹ + quinone

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydroquinone

Corey L. Hartman, a dermatologist in Birmingham, Ala., says using hydroquinone without a doctor’s supervision can have serious consequences, including permanent darkening of the skin.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 3, 2022

Gould has seen the biggest improvement in her skin from hydroquinone but is currently taking a three-month break from it.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 20, 2021

Most of the smuggled cosmetics tend to be skin-lightening creams that were banned in Uganda in 2016 because they contain mercury and hydroquinone, which some studies have linked to damaging health side-effects.

From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2020

If you’re not nursing, you can also use creams containing hydroquinone, or topical retinoids like Retin-A, to treat melasma after you give birth, Dr. Alexis said.

From New York Times ● Jul. 30, 2019

When hydrolyzed by mineral acids or emulsin, it yields glucose and hydroquinone.

From The Chemistry of Plant Life by Thatcher, Roscoe Wilfred