Hydroquinone concentrations in skin lightening creams.

Forty-one over-the-counter skin lightening creams were analysed for hydroquinone content, and the accuracy of tables of contents supplied with these products was assessed. Eight of the 41 were found to contain more than 2% hydroquinone, the maximum concentration permitted by the U.K. Cosmetic Products Regulations. Eighteen of these preparations failed to comply with labelling requirements. A list is given of those products containing less than 2% hydroquinone which are adequately labelled.