hydroquinone + sunscreen

Hydroquinone + sunscreen is a topical combination therapy used for the treatment of hyperpigmentation disorders such as melasma, chloasma, and senile lentigines. The primary active ingredient, hydroquinone (typically at a 4% concentration), acts as a skin-bleaching agent by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme. This inhibition prevents the enzymatic conversion of tyrosine to DOPA and subsequently to melanin within melanocytes. The inclusion of various sunscreen agents (such as avobenzone, octinoxate, oxybenzone, or padimate O) is critical to the formulation, as ultraviolet radiation can stimulate melanogenesis and counteract the lightening effects of the hydroquinone. While these products have been widely available by prescription in the United States, they have faced significant regulatory scrutiny; many were marketed without formal FDA approval under the DESI program, and hydroquinone is banned in cosmetic products in the European Union, Australia, and Japan due to safety concerns including potential ochronosis.

Brand names

GlyquinLustraMelquin HPEsotericaAclaroAlphaquin HP

Other names

hydroquinone with sunscreenhydroquinone and sunscreen