hydroquinone
|hy-dro-qui-none|
🇺🇸
/ˌhaɪdrəˈkwɪnoʊn/
🇬🇧
/ˌhaɪdrəˈkwɪnəʊn/
1,4-dihydroxybenzene; a phenolic reducing agent
Etymology
'hydroquinone' originates from New Latin, formed from the prefix 'hydro-' (Greek for 'water' or indicating hydrogen) combined with 'quinone' (the chemical name).
'hydroquinone' was used in 19th-century German and scientific literature as 'Hydrochinon' or 'Hydrochinone' and passed into French and English as 'hydroquinone', reflecting international chemical nomenclature conventions.
Initially the name emphasized its relation to 'quinone' and the presence of hydrogenated/ hydroxyl groups; over time it came to denote specifically the compound 1,4-dihydroxybenzene and its uses as a reducing agent and in skincare.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a white crystalline phenolic compound (1,4-dihydroxybenzene) used as a reducing agent, photographic developer, antioxidant, and as an ingredient in some skin‑lightening products; chemical formula C6H4(OH)2.
Hydroquinone is commonly used in skincare products to lighten hyperpigmentation.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/10 02:54