Apostrophe Hydroquinone 6% Prescription Versus Perrigo Hydroquinone 4% Cream
Overview
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dark spots
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, silicones or sulfates
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Ingredient Info
Apostrophe Hydroquinone 6% Prescription 10 ingredients
Perrigo Hydroquinone 4% Cream 11 ingredients
Free from
Safety & Ethics
American Brand
Free from
Safety & Ethics
American Brand
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Apostrophe Hydroquinone 6% Prescription 10 ingredients
Perrigo Hydroquinone 4% Cream 11 ingredients
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Notable Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients, at a glance
What's in this product, and how it might affect your skin.
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Hydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.
May worsen Rosacea
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice comes from leaves of the aloe plant. Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice is best known for helping to soothe sunburns. It is also anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, antiseptic, and can help heal wounds.
C13-14 Isoparaffin is created from petroleum-based mineral oils. It is an emollient and helps thicken a product.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
Laureth-7 is created by the ethoxylation of lauryl alcohol using ethylene oxide. Lauryl alcohol is a fatty alcohol with hydrating properties.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
Polyacrylamide is a synthetic polymer. It is used to stabilize products and bind ingredients. When hydrated, Polyacrylamide forms a soft gel.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
Antioxidant
Hydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.
May worsen Rosacea
Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.
Paraffinum Liquidum is also known as liquid paraffin. It is a type of highly refined mineral oil.
2 Concerns
Peg-40 Stearate is a waxy solid made up of polyethylene glycol and stearic acid. It is an emulsifier and cleanser. Emulsifiers help oils and water mix.
Propylene Glycol is an odorless, colorless liquid. As a humectant, it helps skin retain moisture. It also aids in delivering active ingredients.
2 Concerns
Propylparaben is a preservative and is a paraben with antifungal and antimicrobial properties.
Paraben2 Concerns
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.
Preservative
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Hydroquinone is used to treat hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and age spots.
It works by decreasing the melanocytes in your skin. Melanocytes are cells that create melanin (the color pigment in skin).
Be sure to use this ingredient as prescribed by your doctor. Wearing sunscreen is also a must (you should be wearing sunscreen anyway!).
Most hydroquinone prescriptions are not to be used for longer than 3 months. Long term usage can cause ochronosis, or a condition in which the skin darkens more than before.
This ingredient is banned in the EU for being skin sensitizer. In the US, this ingredient is not allowed for over-the-counter sale.
However, it is still possible to get hydroquinone in the EU, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan from a doctor's prescription.
There is no known research backing this ingredient to be carcinogenic in humans.
Check out the European alternative to hydroquinone here.
Gentle reminder that all skin tones are beautiful!
Learn more about HydroquinoneWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Apostrophe Hydroquinone 6% Prescription 10 ingredients
Perrigo Hydroquinone 4% Cream 11 ingredients
