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  

/ 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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydroquinone

The creams may contain corticosteroids or hydroquinone, which can be harmful if used in high quantities, and in many countries are only obtainable with a doctor's prescription.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025

There is only one drug, Tri-Luma, approved by the FDA that contains hydroquinone, the agency said.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 19, 2022

Clay tries to educate patients that there are alternative ingredients to hydroquinone such as cyspera, azelaic acid and kojic acid.

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

In the case of hydroquinone, the original source, quinic acid, was obviously out of question, for economical reasons.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Raphael Meldola

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