What is the Difference Between Hydroquinone and Hydrocortisone

The key difference between hydroquinone and hydrocortisone is that hydroquinone acts by decreasing the amount of melanin that is responsible for the darkening of the skin, whereas hydrocortisone acts inside the skin cells to inhibit the release of certain chemical messengers in the body that can cause redness, itching, and swelling.

Hydroquinone is an aromatic compound having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2, while hydrocortisone is the hormone cortisol that is used as a medication.

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Hydroquinone
3. What is Hydrocortisone
4. Hydroquinone vs Hydrocortisone in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Hydroquinone vs Hydrocortisone

What is Hydroquinone?

Hydroquinone is an aromatic compound having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. It is known as benzene-1,4-diol or quinol. It is a type of phenol and a derivative of benzene. There are two hydroxyl groups that are bonded to a benzene ring (these are bonded in the para position).

Hydroquinone occurs as a white granular solid substance. There are some substituted derivatives of this compound that are also referred to as hydroquinones. We can produce hydroquinone through two major routes.

A process similar to the cumene process that involves the dialkylation of benzene with propene to give 1,4-diisopropylbenzene. This compound then reacts with air, resulting in bis(hydroperoxide). This resulting compound is structurally similar to cumene hydroperoxide. It undergoes rearrangement in acid to form acetone and hydroquinone.
Hydroxylation of phenol over a catalyst.

There are some natural sources of hydroquinone. It is one of two primary reagents in the defensive glands in bombardier beetles, along with hydrogen peroxide.

What is Hydrocortisone?

Hydrocortisone is the hormone cortisol that is used as a medication. We can use this drug to treat diseases such as adrenocortical insufficiency, high blood calcium, thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, dermatitis, asthma, and COPD. The routes of administration of this medication include oral administration, topical application, or injection. The most common trade names of this medication are A-hydrocort, Cortef, Solucortef, etc.

There can be some side effects of using hydrocortisone, such as the increased risk of infection and edema. Moreover, there can be long-term side effects such as osteoporosis, upset stomach, physical weakness, bruising, and candidiasis. The safety of using it during pregnancy is unclear.

The mode of action of hydrocortisone is through working as an anti-inflammatory agent and by immune suppression. This medication came into use in 1941. Chemically, we can name it as a naturally occurring pregnane steroid. There are a variety of hydrocortisone esters in the market for medical use.

Through injection, hydrocortisone is used for treating severe allergic reactions. The topical application of this medication is important in treating eczema, allergic rashes, psoriasis, itching, and inflammatory skin conditions. These medications are often available over the counter, without prescription in many countries.

What is the Difference Between Hydroquinone and Hydrocortisone?

Hydroquinone is an aromatic compound having the chemical formula C6H4(OH)2. Hydrocortisone is the hormone cortisol that is used as a medication. The key difference between hydroquinone and hydrocortisone is that hydroquinone acts by decreasing the amount of melanin that is responsible for the darkening of the skin, whereas hydrocortisone acts inside the skin cells to inhibit the release of certain chemical messengers in the body that can cause redness, itching, and swelling.

Below is a summary of the difference between hydroquinone and hydrocortisone in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Hydroquinone vs Hydrocortisone

Hydroquinones are hydrocortisones that are popular medications for skin conditions. The key difference between hydroquinone and hydrocortisone is that hydroquinone acts by decreasing the amount of melanin that is responsible for the darkening of the skin, whereas hydrocortisone acts inside the skin cells to inhibit the release of certain chemical messengers in the body that can cause redness, itching, and swelling.

Reference:

1. “Hydrocortisone Topical: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Hydrochinon2” By NEUROtiker ⇌ – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tube of hydrocortisone cream” By Father Goose – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia