UV-VIS ANALYSIS AND DETERMINATION OF HYDROQUINONE IN BODY LOTIONS AND CREAMS SOLD IN RETAIL OUTLETS IN BARATON, KENYA

Abstract

Hydroquinone is an organic compound of the Phenol family used in body care products for its

therapeutic value as a topical agent for the treatment of certain skin conditions. Twenty four (24) body lotions

and body creams were randomly sampled from the retail outlets within Baraton. The labels on the packages

noticeably did not indicate the presence of hydroquinone. The creams were subjected to chemical analysis by

a DR500 UV spectrophotometer. The level of hydroquinone was below 2% for all the twenty four creams,

which is the upper limit for cosmetic creams. Creams with 2-4% hydroquinone concentrations are allowed as

drug prescriptions and not sold as an over the counter creams and lotions. This chemical analysis indicates that

despite the potential health hazards of hydroquinone, cosmetic products containing this agent are available to

consumers with inadequate warning to the dangers associated with hydroquinone.