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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of hydroquinone

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hydroquinone

Other sellers admitted using regulated ingredients such as kojic acid, hydroquinone and a powerful antioxidant, glutathione, which may cause rashes and other side-effects.

From BBC ● Mar. 23, 2025

The FDA says it has received reports of serious side effects from the use of products that contain hydroquinone, including rashes, facial swelling and skin discoloration that can be permanent.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 3, 2022

The FDA action was prompted by a study — in which rats were given hydroquinone orally — that found the ingredient to be a potential carcinogen.

From Washington Post ● Jun. 20, 2021

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

Arbutin, C12H16O7, which occurs in bearberry along with methyl arbutin, hydrolyses to hydroquinone and glucose.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 2 "Gloss" to "Gordon, Charles George" by Various