Hydroquinone: Price, Dosage & Where to Buy

Hydroquinone is a topical skin-lightening medicine used mainly to gradually lighten areas of excess skin pigmentation, including melasma. Its pharmacological class is not formally classified, although its action involves reducing the production of the pigment melanin. It requires a prescription in the United Kingdom, and treatment needs attention to sun protection because the cream contains no sunscreen.

Hydroquinone works by reducing the production of melanin in the skin. It interferes with the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in making this pigment. As less new pigment is produced and skin cells naturally renew, areas of excess pigmentation can gradually become lighter.

This explains why the effect develops over time rather than immediately. It does not act as a sunscreen, so its pigment-lightening action does not replace protection against sun exposure.

Hydroquinone cream is indicated for the gradual lightening of skin affected by excess melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. The listed conditions include chloasma and melasma, which cause patches of darker skin, as well as freckles and senile lentigines, commonly called age spots. The indication also covers other unwanted areas of melanin hyperpigmentation.

Its intended effect is gradual lightening of the affected areas rather than an immediate change in skin colour. Sun exposure can cause treated skin to become darker again.

The label lists topical cream strengths of 0.02 g/g and 40 mg/g, emulsion strengths of 0.04 g/mL, 0.04 mg/mL and 40 mg/mL, gel at 40 mg/g, and liquid and solution at 40 mg/mL. The label lists application of HYDROQUINONE 4% CREAM to affected areas twice daily, in the morning and before bedtime, with the cream rubbed in well, or as directed by a physician. The label lists discontinuation if there is no improvement after 2 months of treatment.

The label lists no recommended dosage for children under 12 years of age except under a physician's advice and supervision. These are product label facts rather than an individual treatment plan.

Store at 20° - 25°C, with temporary excursions permitted to 15° - 30°C. Keep the medicine out of the sight and reach of children and follow the storage directions on the packaging to maintain quality.

A missed application may interrupt the regular treatment routine, but it should not be compensated for with an extra or doubled application. General pharmacy guidance is to resume the prescribed routine, skipping the missed application if the next is nearly due. A pharmacist can clarify any uncertainty about the schedule.

The safety of topical hydroquinone during pregnancy has not been established. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted, and it is not known whether it can harm an unborn baby or affect reproductive capacity.

The label states that use during pregnancy should be limited to situations where it is clearly needed. The label does not specify breastfeeding information; discuss use with a doctor or pharmacist.