Obagi Hydroquinone Cream

Obagi Clear or Blender 4% Hydroquinone 57g (Prescription Only)

If you’ve been seeking a powerful solution to hyperpigmentation, melasma, and sun damage, look no further than Obagi Hydroquinone. As one of the most potent and effective skin-brightening ingredients available, hydroquinone has the ability to reduce dark spots and even out skin tone. Within the Obagi Nu Derm range, we offer treatment where appropriate with hydroquinone to UK patients in two formulations; Clear and Blender.

Obagi Clear: Your Daily Hydroquinone Dose

Obagi Clear is a skin brightening cream with 4% hydroquinone, designed for daily use. By inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment responsible for dark spots, Obagi Clear helps to lighten dark spots and reduce hyperpigmentation. To use Obagi Clear, apply a thin layer to the affected area twice daily or as directed by your skincare professional. As with all hydroquinone products, it’s essential to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen during the day to protect your skin from further sun damage.

Obagi Blender: The Nightly Hydroquinone Solution

Obagi Blender, also containing 4% hydroquinone, is designed for use in the evening as part of your night-time skincare routine. Its unique formula not only light dark spots and evens out skintone but also enhances the benefits of retinoids, working synergistically to deliver optimal results. To use Obagi Blender, mix a prescribed amount with your Tretinoin or retinol and apply to your face in the evening or as directed by your skincare professional.

Obagi Hydroquinone: Clear vs. Blender

While both Obagi Clear and Blender contain the same concentration of hydroquinone, they serve different purposes in your skincare routine. Obagi Clear is designed for daily use to consistently inhibit melanin production, while Obagi Blender works with your other night-time skincare products to enhance overall results. They also work on different layers of hyperpigmentation. Your doctor will advise which of these products is best for you. For those with widespread hyperpigmentation, both products maybe needed.

Where to Get Obagi Hydroquinone in the UK

Obagi’s hydroquinone products are prescription-only in the UK, and it’s essential to use them under the supervision of a skincare professional. At City Skin Clinic, we offer virtual consultations through our Virtual Clinic, where one of our doctors can assess your skin and provide the most suitable Obagi Hydroquinone cream. They may also recommend other products such as Tretinoin cream that they think may be beneficial when combined to treat your hyperpigmentation. Following your virtual consultation, your doctor, will also create a bespoke skincare routine for you to help you get the best outcomes from your products. Once you’ve received your treatment, they will monitor your progress virtually.

Important Information

Please note: Hydroquinone is a powerful and effective skin-lightening agent. That being said, it should only be used to treat hyperpigmentation, melasma and other causes of skin damage. It’s also not suitable for everyone. That’s why it’s vital to discuss any potential risks and side effects with your skincare professional before starting treatment.

Hydroquinone is a potent skin-lightening agent. It reduces hyperpigmentation, melasma and sun damage. It does so by inhibiting the production of melanin. When there is excess melanin pigment, you get dark spots. Hence through this mechanism, Hydroquinone helps to lighten dark skin patches and even out skin tone.

Hydroquinone: Understanding its Efficacy and Use

Hydroquinone works by reducing the production and increasing the degradation of melanin pigments in the skin. This subsequently helps to lighten the dark patches of skin (hyperpigmentation, melasma, liver spots, age spots, freckles). These are commonly caused by pregnancy, birth control pills, hormone medicine, or injury to the skin.

Contraindications of Hydroquinone

Before starting Hydroquinone, it’s key to be aware of any allergies to it or similar products. You must not use it if you have or develop an allergy to any of the ingredients. Moreover, its safety and efficacy are not known in patients younger than 12 years of age. It’s also not recommended for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. If you suffer from eczema, fish allergy, or have any sores, burns, or wounds, please inform your doctor.

How to Use Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone is a prescription treatment, and you must use it as directed by your doctor. After your consultation, your doctor will design a treatment plan just for you. This will include the products they think will help achieve your goals. The plan will also specify how often to use it and when you can increase the frequency and/or concentration.

There are some general cautions to observe when using this product. Firstly, do not apply this medicine to windburned or sunburned skin or on open wounds. Secondly, avoid using this medicine in or around the eyes or lips, and inside the mouth or nose.

Wash your skin with a cleanser and warm water, then gently pat dry. Ensure your skin is completely dry before applying Clear or Blender cream. Typically, a pea-sized amount is sufficient to cover your face. As it can cause skin dryness, we normally recommend following up with a moisturiser. Additionally, we advise all patients to wear sun protection during the day.

Side Effects of Hydroquinone

People with sensitive skin might become excessively red, swollen, blistered, or crusted. If any of these occur, there are a few options. We would either stop the treatment or adjust it to a level or frequency that you can tolerate.

Rarely it can cause ochronosis – a blue-black or gray-blue discoloration. This is rare and more commonly seen in patients that use a high concentration of hydroquinone. Usually this use is for a long period on large areas of the body.

For more information about Hydroquinone in the UK and side-effects please read our in-depth Hydroquinone guide.