What is the characteristic feature of hydroquinone's action on the skin?

The characteristic feature of hydroquinone's action on the skin is its ability to inhibit tyrosinase, which is a key enzyme involved in the production of melanin. By inhibiting this enzyme, hydroquinone effectively reduces the formation of melanin, making it a widely used topical treatment for conditions such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, and age spots. This action helps to lighten the skin and even out skin tone by decreasing the darker pigmentation that results from excess melanin production.

In contrast, moisturizing properties are not a primary action of hydroquinone; instead, it is primarily focused on pigment reduction. Exfoliation of dead skin cells is associated with other products, such as alpha hydroxy acids, rather than hydroquinone. Additionally, hydroquinone does not increase melanin production; rather, it works to decrease it by preventing the enzymatic activity that leads to its synthesis. This makes the inhibition of tyrosinase the fundamental mechanism through which hydroquinone operates.