Hydroquinone in skincare concerns

The reasons why you should not use hydroquinone to lighten your skin.

Hydroquinone has been used as a bleaching agent in cosmetic creams for decades, and is one of the most popular chemical exfoliants available. In recent years, however, hydroquinone has been linked to possible health issues like cancer. The question is: can hydroquinone be harmful in amounts found in cosmetics? And what does that mean for those who use it regularly? This article will answer all these questions and more.

Hydroquinone and cancer; The main concern is that hydroquinone is a carcinogen. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), hydroquinone can be damaging to your health when it has been applied to the skin in amounts greater than 2%. It was also found that, when exposed repeatedly, the risk of cancer increases.

Carcinogens in skincare products; Many cosmetic companies have stated they have removed this chemical from their products. However, the possibilities are that some of it still remains in the products or that it may be replaced with another chemical that is equally as harmful. Know your products and ensure all the ingredients are listed by the manufacture, you would be surprised to see what is not disclosed, do your homework.

The effects of hydroquinone; Hydroquinone can cause irritation and inflammation in your skin. Hydroquinone can also create free radicals in your body, which causes damage to proteins within your cells. These damaged proteins then lead to cancerous growths and other health issues.