An update on the safety of hydroquinone.

This 2024 review analyzed 15 years of safety research on hydroquinone, the gold-standard skin-lightening ingredient used for melasma and dark spots. The U.S. recently banned it from over-the-counter products, signaling safety concerns that prompted dermatologists to reassess what we actually know about this widely used agent—and the review suggests there are legitimate questions worth asking.