If you wish to try out hydroquinone creams for persistent spots and skin discoloration, read on and explore the top 9 hydroquinone creams listed below! Note: All the items on this list have the potential to cause skin irritation and increase sensitivity to sunlight. Before you use any of these products, consult a doctor. Also, always wear sunscreen.
9 Best Hydroquinone Creams
1. Best Lightweight: AMBI Fade Cream
Do you want to reduce those unwanted dark marks from your skin without changing your natural complexion? Try the AMBI Fade Cream. The formula contains 2% hydroquinone that fades dark spots and hyperpigmentation, alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to exfoliate your skin and improve its texture, and vitamin E to provide nourishment. The cream is best for spot treatment and claims to give visible results in two weeks. The product is suitable for normal skin. Pros
Affordable Contains SPF Lightweight Pleasant fragrance
Cons
May cause temporary irritation
2. Best For Sensitive Skin: Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener
The Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener contains maximum OTC strength hydroquinone (2%) and hyaluronic acid. It can fade dark spots and pigmentation without drying out the skin. This cream is free of parabens and skin-harming chemicals and is safe to use on sensitive skin. In addition, it provides essential vitamins and nutrients that nourish the skin from within. Pros
Paraben-free No harmful chemicals Lightweight Pleasant fragrance
Cons
May cause breakouts
3. Best Nourishing: M&M Beauty Age Spot Remover
This is one of the most potent OTC hydroquinone-based dark spot corrector creams available on the market. The smooth, lightweight formula contains several nourishing ingredients like lavender oil, aloe and grape extracts, and rose water. Apart from freckles, the cream is also effective on acne scars, sun spots, dark spots, and rosacea. The formula contains 2% hydroquinone, so be sure to do a patch test. Pros
Cruelty-free Critter-friendly Clinically tested
Cons
Expensive
4. Best Dermatologically Tested: Cicatricure Medical Lightening Cream
The Cicatricure Medical Lightening Cream lightens dark spots, neutralizes your skin tone, and nourishes and moisturizes it. The formula is enriched with 2% hydroquinone and vitamin E to strengthen your skin’s barrier. It also contains vitamin C, a skin brightening active that fades dark circles, and qacetyl 10 that works as a natural moisturizer. This cream improves the overall appearance of your skin. Pros
Clinically proven formula Dermatologically tested Lightweight
Cons None
5. Best For Natural-Looking Glow: Fair & White Creme Exclusive Whitener
This whitening cream from Fair & White is formulated with 1.9% hydroquinone that suppresses melanin formation. It fades discoloration, dark spots, acne scars, age spots, and brown spots to reveal clear and bright skin. This smooth, moisturizing cream nourishes the skin, protects it against environmental pollutants, and heals it for a healthy and radiant appearance. The lightweight formula also gives the skin a natural-looking glow and is suitable for all skin types. Pros
Lightweight Cruelty-free Non-GMO Contains natural ingredients
Cons None
6. Best Long-Lasting: SkinPro Ultra Brightening Skin Lightener
The SkinPro Ultra Brightening Skin Lightener contains 2% hydroquinone that fades sun spots, melasma, freckles, liver spots, and aging signs. It is enriched with medical-grade ingredients and peptides that brighten your skin. This cream is suitable for all skin types and can be used all over the body. Pros
Medical grade formula Long-lasting Non-drying Pleasant scent
Cons
Expensive for the quantity
7. Best Paraben-Free: Intilight Intimate Skin Lightening Treatment
The Intilight Intimate Skin Lightening Treatment reduces dark spots, melasma, discoloration, hyperpigmentation, acne scars, sun spots, freckles, and uneven skin tone. It contains 2% hydroquinone, jojoba seed oil, apricot kernel oil, squalane, and hyaluronic acid that help rejuvenate and moisturize your skin and make it youthful. This cream can be used for underarm whitening, fading acne scars, and anal bleaching. Pros
Dermatologist-approved Suitable for sensitive skin No harmful chemicals Fragrance-free Paraben-free
Cons
May irritate the skin
8. Best Non-Greasy: MelloDerm- HQ
The MelloDerm – HQ is an excellent anti-melasma cream with pharmaceutical grade 2% hydroquinone. It is safe and highly effective on a wide range of pigmentation issues. You can use it to fade melasma, dark spots, freckles on your skin. The cream comes in a five-layer PE tube, and the packaging protects the active ingredients from rapid oxidation and degradation. It has a non-greasy formula and mild fragrance. Pros
Thai FDA-approved Mild fragrance Non-greasy
Cons
Expensive for the quantity
9. Best For Daily Use: Vivatia Brighten 10 Foam Your Skin
The Vivatia Brighten 10 Foam Your Skin is a unique combination of 10 brightening ingredients that helps you get an even skin tone. The formula combines two skin-brightening ingredients – 2% hydroquinone and arbutin. Both fade pigmentation, clarify your skin, and minimize the appearance of dark spots. The product also contains a blend of other skin brightening ingredients like kojic acid, licorice root extract, and vitamin C to visibly fade spots and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Pros
Gentle for daily use Dermatologist recommended Gets absorbed quickly Lightweight
Cons None
What Does Hydroquinone Cream Do? Is It Safe?
Hydroquinone is a skin brightening or bleaching agent. It suppresses melanin (skin pigment) formation in the skin, thus brightening it. Dr. Ophelia Veraitch, a consultant dermatologist, says, “Hydroquinone is a gold standard dermatological active ingredient for targeting areas of darkening. It works by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, the enzyme needed to make melanin. Therefore, it can be used on areas of hyperpigmentation, blemishes, pigmented scarring, and melasma.” While it is well-tolerated, hydroquinone can irritate dry and sensitive skin. However, the irritation goes away once the skin adjusts to the ingredient. It works best for people with fair and medium skin tones. If you have a medium-to-dark skin tone, consult a dermatologist to understand your suitability, strength, and frequency of usage. Otherwise, hydroquinone may worsen hyperpigmentation in people with dark skin tones. It is best to follow the doctor’s instructions for proper usage and application. Here are some additional tips.
How To Apply Hydroquinone Cream
Apply hydroquinone creams after cleansing and toning but before using a moisturizer. Massage a small amount of the cream evenly across the target areas. Wait until it is completely absorbed. Wash your hands afterward to prevent the product from affecting other areas or staining your clothes.
If you are using hydroquinone, wear sunscreen when stepping out. Hydroquinone tends to cause photosensitivity. Sunscreen will help prevent sunburns and further hyperpigmentation. Jennifer Haley suggests, “The trick to using hydroquinone is that you need to give your skin a bit of a vacation every once in a while. If you see results, use it for four months, then taper off, and give your skin a rest. After that, you should wait two or three months to start using it again and keep up with that schedule. You’ll get the best results by following this routine. You should apply hydroquinone before your moisturizer, and with a small amount, rub it across your skin. You should also use sunscreen when you use hydroquinone.” Always remember to do a patch test before using hydroquinone creams to prevent any side effects. Here are a few tips to consider before picking a hydroquinone-based product.
How To Choose The Best Hydroquinone Cream
It is essential to look at the list of ingredients. Ensure that you select a cream that contains natural ingredients free of parabens, chemicals, and synthetic extracts. Also, avoid products that may contain ingredients you are allergic to. Before purchasing a hydroquinone cream, consult a dermatologist to understand if the right strength for your skin type and if you have any underlying skin condition. Also, if you have a darker skin tone, never use hydroquinone creams without consulting a doctor. Hydroquinone creams can work wonders to minimize the appearance of dark spots, hyperpigmentation, freckles, and blemishes. If you want to improve the overall skin clarity, go for AMBI Fade Cream. But if you have dry skin, pick Alpha Skin Care Dual Action Skin Lightener as it has a non-drying formula. However, ensure to consult a dermatologist before using any of the products and use sunscreen when stepping out.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach and a skin care enthusiast. She has used hydroquinone-based creams for fading her dark spots. She consulted experts before picking the products for the article and conducted a thorough research to present all aspects of hydroquinone and guide her readers in the best possible way. Which hydroquinone cream is the best? It depends on the ingredients that suit your skin. Go for the one that has maximum OTC strength hydroquinone and organic, natural ingredients. What is the highest percent of hydroquinone in creams? For OTC products, the maximum strength is 2%, and prescription-strength products contain 4% hydroquinone. Is hydroquinone safe to use on the face? Yes. Hydroquinone can be used on the face. Can I buy over-the-counter hydroquinone products? Yes, you can buy OTC products with 2% hydroquinone. How long does it take to see results from hydroquinone? It takes about 4-8 weeks of consistent use to see visible results. Is hydroquinone cream safe to use? Yes, hydroquinone cream is safe to use. However, there might be some temporary side effects on sensitive skin. It is best to consult your dermatologist before adding a hydroquinone cream on your skin care regime. Do hydroquinone creams work on dark skin? Yes. However, hydroquinone creams tend to work more on fair skin types. If you are someone with medium to dark skin tone, consult your dermal therapist before using the cream. These creams are best known to treat hyperpigmentation and aging signs. What are the benefits of hydroquinone creams? Hydroquinone creams treat hyperpigmentation, dark patches, and aging spots. They protect your skin from discoloration and help in attaining an even-toned look. How often should you use hydroquinone cream? You can use hydroquinone cream twice a day for visible results. You can use the cream for a stretch of up to six months. How long does hydroquinone cream take to work? A hydroquinone cream can usually take a month to show visible results. However, the results can vary depending upon your lifestyle and skin care regime.
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