The Toxicity Of Hydroquinone

Many of us deal with unevenness in skin tone. There are very few people who are the same color on their entire face, neck, or body. There are several reasons why darkness and uneven skin appears on various parts of the body. There are different types of unevenness, thus the variation of the terms used to describe them.

There are age spots, liver spots, melasma and hyper-pigmentation, just to name a few. While there are natural methods to even out the skin tone and get rid of discoloring, those are not as readily known by the general public. 

A specific ingredient in many skin lightening creams called hydroquinone is said to reverse the appearance of darkness. These lightening creams are usually targeted at those who suffer from any type of darkness and wish to correct their unevenness.

The reason that this specific compound is effective is because it blocks the process that the skin must go through that leads to discoloration. But at what costs? This compound has been at the center of many debates in the last several years and many have been urging the FDA to ban it. The United Kingdom heeded similar warnings regarding its toxicity and side effects.

One of the most prevalent side effects of this skin cream is irritation that can be caused on the skin. Constant use of hydroquinone has been shown to cause excessive skin irritation, especially in those who are known to be susceptible to allergies or suffer from sensitive skin.

The type of irritation that has been readily reported is that of a burning sensation, itching and extreme redness. More serious side effects include skin cracking, blistering and the skin turning a bluish color. Though some people who use this cream do not experience these type of reactions, there have been studies that suggest that this specific element is fundamentally harmful.

Firstly, hydroquinone sometimes cannot be used with other types of products because it has negative interactions with their ingredients. There is something called ochronosis, which is a skin condition that can be developed when there is an exposure to, or interactions with, specific chemicals.

It causes skin to become thicker and darker than normal. There have been reports that those who use hydroquinone have suffered from this skin ailment. Similarly, numerous medical data and studies have found that there are aspects of hydroquinone that point to it being a carcinogen.

This is shocking and downright scary when we realize that carcinogens are linked intrinsically to cancer. It is obviously not worth putting yourself in danger to lighten troublesome dark spots on the face or body. Especially when there are a myriad of natural, safe options to choose from.

Sweet almond oil and lemon oil are known to help even out skin and diminish hyper-pigmentation. Other oils that are readily used for similar purposes are cedar wood and lavender. It is never a worthwhile risk to expose yourself or your family to chemicals that could potentially impair your health and your life. 

Looking for 100% all-natural nourishing face and body oils? Check out Earth & Elm Nourishing Face Oil and Earth & Elm Nourishing Body Oil. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.