Last update April 12, 2025

Hydroquinone

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Benzene derivative used topically in 2-4% creams and solutions as a skin bleaching agent in various skin disorders associated with hyperpigmentation. Used in industry as a photographic developer.

At the date of last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

It is well absorbed through the skin, not only as a therapeutic agent (Bucks 1998, Wester 1998, Westerhof 2005, Andersen 2010, Bozzo 2011), but also in industrial use (Barber 1995, McGregor 2007), but significant passage into milk is unlikely due to its lack of liposolubility.

There is controversy and doubts about its possible mutagenic and carcinogenic effect (Kooyers 2004, FDA 2006, Levitt 2007, Andersen 2010), so it does not seem prudent to use it chronically or continuously during breastfeeding. (Yaghi 2024)

If used, do not apply to the breast to avoid ingestion by the infant; if necessary, apply after a feeding and clean thoroughly with water before the next feeding. Do not apply over large areas or for prolonged periods to avoid excessive systemic absorption.

At the level of occupational risk to the breastfeeding mother (INSST 2025, EC Regulation 2008), only two risk phrases (former R-phrases, now Hazard H-phrases) or precautionary phrases (P-phrases) in the safety data sheet of a product are relevant for breastfeeding:

  • H362 (ant. R64): ‘May harm breastfed infants.’
  • P263: ‘Avoid contact during pregnancy and breastfeeding’.

Six other phrases to consider during breastfeeding relate to the carcinogenic, mutagenic or cumulative potential of a product:

  • H350 (ant.R45 and R49): ‘May cause cancer’.’
  • H351 (ant. R40): ‘Possible carcinogenic effects’.
  • H370 (ant. R39): ‘Causes damage to organs’.
  • H371 (ant. R68): ‘May cause damage to organs’.
  • H372 (ant R48): ‘Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure’.
  • H373 (ant R33): ‘May cause damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure’.

Hydroquinone has the phrase H351 (INSST 2025), so it will be necessary to remove the breastfeeding mother from her workplace, and it is not enough for the company to comply with the legal requirements of maximum environmental exposure values: VLA-ED < 2 mg/m3 (INSHT 2025, Flickinger 1976) and for the worker to comply with the recommended rules of prudence (gloves, hand washing, change of clothes, etc.).

According to current European regulations (EC Regulation 2008), when a product is carcinogenic and mutagenic, working nursing mothers must not be exposed to mixtures, whether of solids, liquids or gases, with concentration limits higher than 0.3%.

Alternatives

  • Azelaic Acid (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Hydroquinone is also known as


Hydroquinone in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Hydroquinone in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. Dermat: 45 ± 11 %
Molecular weight 110 daltons
Tmax 4 hours

References

  1. INSHT - Instituto Nacional de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo. Límites de exposición profesional para agentes químicos en España. - 2024 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  2. Yaghi M, McMullan P, Truong TM, Rothe M, Murase J, Grant-Kels JM. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: An update-Part II: Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2024 Oct;91(4):651-668. Abstract
  3. Butler DC, Heller MM, Murase JE. Safety of dermatologic medications in pregnancy and lactation: Part II. Lactation. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Mar;70(3):417.e1-10; quiz 427. Abstract
  4. Bozzo P, Chua-Gocheco A, Einarson A. Safety of skin care products during pregnancy. Can Fam Physician. 2011 Abstract
  5. Andersen FA, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, Hill RA, Klaassen CD, Liebler DC, Marks JG Jr, Shank RC, Slaga TJ, Snyder PW. Final amended safety assessment of hydroquinone as used in cosmetics. Int J Toxicol. 2010 Abstract
  6. McGregor D. Hydroquinone: an evaluation of the human risks from its carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Crit Rev Toxicol. 2007 Abstract
  7. Levitt J. The safety of hydroquinone: a dermatologist's response to the 2006 Federal Register. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 Abstract
  8. Food and Drug Administration Skin Bleaching Drug Products For Over-the-Counter Human Use; Proposed Rule. 2006 Full text (in our servers)
  9. Westerhof W, Kooyers TJ. Hydroquinone and its analogues in dermatology - a potential health risk. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2005 Abstract
  10. Kooyers TJ, Westerhof W. [Toxicological aspects and health risks associated with hydroquinone in skin bleaching formula]. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2004 Abstract
  11. Wester RC, Melendres J, Hui X, Cox R, Serranzana S, Zhai H, Quan D, Maibach HI. Human in vivo and in vitro hydroquinone topical bioavailability, metabolism, and disposition. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 1998 Abstract
  12. Barber ED, Hill T, Schum DB. The percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone (HQ) through rat and human skin in vitro. Toxicol Lett. 1995 Abstract
  13. Hidroquinona. Ficha internacional de Seguridad Química. 1994 Full text (in our servers)
  14. Bucks DA, McMaster JR, Guy RH, Maibach HI. Percutaneous absorption of hydroquinone in humans: effect of 1-dodecylazacycloheptan-2-one (azone) and the 2-ethylhexyl ester of 4-(dimethylamino)benzoic acid (Escalol 507). J Toxicol Environ Health. 1988 Abstract
  15. Flickinger CW. The benzenediols: catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone--a review of the industrial toxicology and current industrial exposure limits. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1976 Abstract

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