MedicinePOM

Hydroquinone

A skin-bleaching cream for dark patches such as melasma and freckles.

Clinical information

Common uses

melasma and chloasma
freckles and age spots
other unwanted dark skin patches

Common side effects

dry, cracking skin around the nose and eyes
redness
stinging
occasional contact dermatitis

Cautions

use sunscreen — sun exposure re-darkens treated skin
can cause ochronosis, a blue-black skin darkening — stop if seen
safety not established in pregnancy or children 12 and under

Interactions

photosensitising medicines — use with caution

Pregnancy: only if clearly needed

Reference information, not medical advice — always follow your doctor or pharmacist. Source: DailyMed, dailymed.nlm.nih.gov, hydroquinone 4% cream label, setid 595dfc50-ee6f-41b5-ab5b-4c293aee342b (accessed 2026-08-16)

Approved brands & formulations1

Brand name	Dosage form	Strength	Importer	Category
Melaquin Cream 4% W/W	Topical Preparations ( Cream )	40mg/g ( 20g )	Point and trading pvt ltd	POM