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.

Researchers reviewed published studies from the past 15 years on hydroquinone safety to compile an updated assessment of risks and benefits. This is a literature review, not a new experiment—they're synthesizing what other scientists have already discovered.

Funding not disclosed in abstract