What is Hydroquinone? And Why is it controversial? , The gold standard for treating these darker patches was a topical skin lightening ingredient called hydroquinone, which works by reducing the Glutathione as a skinlightening agent and in melasma: a systematic review Sarkar 2025 International Journal of Dermatology Wiley Online Library Many so called whitening pills contain glutathione, hydroquinone, or even unregulated blends, but did you know the FDA has never approved these for skin lightening? High doses may harm your liver, Alternative Ingredients During Hydroquinone Breaks PDF) EFFECTIVNESS OF GLUTATHIONE (GSH) 2%, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE 1%, AND MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE 3% COMBINATION CREAM COMPARED WITH HYDROQUINONE 4% CREAM AS A SKIN LIGHTENING AGENT: A RANDOMISED STUDY