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
-
Soluble Fiber vs. Insoluble Fiber: What’s the Difference?
Self 23 Feb 2026 | 11:56 amBoth support your digestive health—just in contrasting ways. Read more...
-
What Is the 30-30-3 Method, and How Does It Affect Mood, Energy, and Digestion?
Self 24 Feb 2026 | 8:41 amThe expert-backed eating plan actually feels accessible—and has little downside. Read more...
-
What Is MSG—and Is It Actually Bad for You?
Self 23 Feb 2026 | 3:33 pmThe idea that MSG is uniquely harmful rests on a single letter and a lot of iffy science. 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...
- 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.

