What is Hydroquinone?
It might surprise you to know that hydroquinone is an antioxidant polyphenol—a naturally occurring chemical compound found in a wide variety of plants we use for foods and food products, like wheat, berries, tea, and coffee.1 Occurring naturally in some insects as well (like millipedes), it is generally part of a defensive chemical secretion.2 In addition to hydroquinone’s medical and cosmetic uses, it is used in many industrial applications, like photography, manufacturing, and agricultural products as a reducing agent, antioxidant, and
News
-
Why Your Allergy Medicines Stop Working—and What Doctors Say Might Help
Self 30 Mar 2026 | 2:39 pmThis explains why you may still struggle, even on medication. Read more...
-
7 Signs You May Need a Bone Density Test Before Age 65
Self 31 Mar 2026 | 6:00 amPlenty of lifestyle and health factors can put you on a fast track to osteoporosis. Read more...
-
10 Science-Backed Reasons Life Is Better When You're Tall
Wellness 13 Apr 2024 | 12:00 amGo on, tower over everyone with pride. Read more...
-
If Your Poop Looks Like This, It's Time To See A Doctor
Wellness 14 Apr 2024 | 12:00 amExperts explain what types of stools aren't normal and how to tell if something unusual could be a sign of a more serious problem. Read more...
-
5 Questions to Ask Your GI Doctor After a Crohn’s Disease Diagnosis
Self 31 Mar 2026 | 11:22 amHaving an open conversation can help you feel more prepared (and a lot less anxious). Read more...
- Ebanks, Jody P., Wickett, R. Randall and Boissy, Raymond E. Mechanisms Regulating Skin Pigmentation: The Rise and Fall of Complexion Coloration. MDPI Publishing: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. [Online] September 15, 2009. http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/10/9/4066/pdf. DOI 10.3390/ijms10094066.
- S. Auerbach, Paul. Wilderness Medicine. Philadelphia, PA : Mosby, Inc., an affiliate of Elsevier Inc., 2007. ISBN: 978-0-323-03228-5.
- United Nations Environment Programme World Health Organization. Hydroquinone: Health and Safety Guide No. 101. IPCS International Programme on Chemical Safety. [Online] 1996. http://www.inchem.org/documents/hsg/hsg/hsg101.htm#SectionNumber:2.5.
to oxidant molecules. In a broad sense,
this is similar to the antioxidant mechanism
of neutralizing unstable free radicals.
NEWTON educational program, polymerization inhibitors
bind with unstable molecules in many chemical
products to prevent detrimental chain reactions.

