If you have intense dark patches on your skin, hydroquinone will be an ingredient that your dermat will prescribe. Derived from mushrooms, the ingredient is an extremely potent treatment for melasma. Several topical skincare products like creams, cleansers and serums that tackle skin concerns like hyperpigmentation, acne scars and inflammatory acne have hydroquinone as their main ingredient. Although it’s a commonly used skincare ingredient, it comes with a few precautionary measures. We suggest consulting your dermatologist before including it in your skincare regimen.