Depigmenting agent
Hydroquinone
White cream that may darken slightly on oxidation
Typical Strength
4%–12%
Formulations
2 compounds
Formula
C₆H₆O₂
Mol. Weight
110.11 g/mol
How It Works
Mechanism of action
Competitive inhibitor of tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme in melanin synthesis. Also toxic to melanocytes at higher concentrations, making it one of the most extensively studied topical depigmenting agents.
Did you know?
Since the 2020 CARES Act, hydroquinone is no longer sold over the counter in the US; it is available by prescription.
What compounding can change
When Hydroquinone is compounded for one patient, your prescriber can choose the concentration, combine it with other ingredients, and pick the base. Commercial products come in fixed strengths and bases.
Safety Considerations
Available In
Formulations with Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone / Tretinoin / Niacinamide Cream
Clinician-cycled HQ program for stubborn melasma and PIH.
Hydroquinone / Tretinoin / Azelaic Acid / Hydrocortisone Cream
Kligman's triple with azelaic acid added, for prescribers who want a fourth pathway during the hydroquinone cycle.
Commonly paired with
These ingredients frequently appear alongside Hydroquinone in our formulations.
Please note: Compounded medications require a prescription from a licensed prescriber for an individual patient. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. The FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality. A compounded medication is not the same as, or a generic version of, any FDA-approved drug. This page is general information, not medical advice. Your prescriber decides whether a treatment is right for you and sets the final ingredients, strength and dosage form.