Trace the detail
The source
register.
Provider pages establish what is advertised. FDA, AAD and product labels answer different questions. Every entry was checked September 26, 2026.
Provider
CoreAge Rx: Spot On ↗
Current PDP names hydroquinone, kojic acid and niacinamide; check distinct sales-page source for 6%/6% marketing and conflicting plan prices. Claims do not establish finished-product outcomes.
Provider
Wisp: Brighten Up! ↗
Price, bottle size and ingredients, including expanded Medication Details.
Provider
Wisp: hydroquinone treatment information ↗
One-time reorders and product-specific treatment cautions.
Provider
RedBox Rx: hydroquinone cream ↗
28.35 g 4% cream, quarterly billing and the provider approval claim.
Primary guidance
FDA: hydroquinone product notice ↗
2022 notice on OTC products and the specific approved Tri-Luma medicine.
Primary guidance
FDA: National Drug Code Directory ↗
A directory listing or NDC is not evidence of approval.
Product label
DailyMed: example single-ingredient 4% label ↗
Example labeled unapproved drug other; not identified as any reviewed provider’s actual supply.
Primary guidance
FDA: find a state-licensed pharmacy ↗
Check the dispensing pharmacy with the state licensing board.
Primary guidance
AAD: melasma treatment ↗
Diagnosis, clinician-directed treatments and sun protection.
Primary guidance
AAD: skin care during pregnancy ↗
Ingredients to avoid during pregnancy, including hydroquinone.
Provider
Musely: The Spot Cream ↗
Current monthly presentation, two-month supply, auto-refill and provider-reported results; no independent product trial.
Provider
Musely: Spot Cream formula options ↗
Erase, M+, Nurture and HQ Free listings; prescriber changes possible. Provider pregnancy/nursing claim is not adopted as independent evidence.
Provider
Musely: 60-day result guarantee ↗
Initial medication-cost refund conditions, exclusions and nonrefundable doctor-fee language; current checkout not verified.
Provider
Obagi: Clear Fx skin brightening cream ↗
Retail ingredients, $125 regular price, storage and AHA warning. Reviewed ingredient list does not list hydroquinone; arbutin concentration not verified.
Provider
Obagi: prescription product information ↗
Separate prescription Nu-Derm Clear 4% hydroquinone information. Not proof of Clear Fx equivalence or an FDA approval record.
Primary guidance
FDA: hydroquinone and mercury skin-product warning ↗
Adverse-event reports and tested products. No contamination inference about the providers reviewed here.
Primary guidance
FDA: expiration dates and medicine storage ↗
General expiration and storage guidance, not product-specific stability or a cream-color threshold.
Primary guidance
LactMed: hydroquinone during breastfeeding ↗
Revised March 15, 2026. No published maternal or infant levels identified; limited breastfeeding evidence and infant-contact precautions.
Provider
Skin Medicinals: melasma and hyperpigmentation ↗
Lists hydroquinone 4%, 8% and 12%, kojic acid and vitamin C as options; $48+ beside 4% and estimated retail $120+. Not a verified complete patient formula, package quantity, supply period or final order.
Provider
Skin Medicinals: physician and patient workflow ↗
Describes office evaluation, clinician-selected ingredients and subsequent billing/shipping contact. Does not establish immediate telehealth access or independently verified insurance savings.
Clinical
AAD: patch testing for a recurring rash ↗
Explains medical patch testing for suspected allergic contact dermatitis; not a home test, challenge or restart procedure for a prescription cream.
Clinical
NIH NCATS: endpoint definition ↗
Defines the role of primary, secondary and exploratory endpoints. An outcome must remain attached to the study design and product.
Regulatory
FDA: clinical research in drug development ↗
Clinical research context and defined study questions. Does not extend approval or trial outcomes to an untested compounded preparation.
Provider
CoreAge Rx: current Spot On plans ↗
Plan cards advertise hydroquinone 6% and kojic 6%; niacinamide strength unspecified. $165/three months ($54.99 monthly display) and $70/one ($69.99 display); own product-information block conflicts at from $42/month. Provider claims, not checkout or exact-formula trial.
Provider
Obagi: prescription Nu-Derm Clear ↗
Visible product is a cream despite serum in URL; 4% hydroquinone, full inactive list and prescription/physician pathway. Current list differs from March 2018 label. No current price or inventory verified.
Provider
Obagi: Nu-Derm collection ↗
Prescription collection with separate nonprescription bestseller cards; $125 Clear Fx is not a prescription Clear quote.
Drug label
DailyMed: Obagi Nu-Derm Clear, Blender and Sunfader labeling ↗
Revised March 2018. Includes explicit unapproved-drug disclaimer. Historical 57 g Clear package and inactive list; not current stock or proof of current formula. Separate products must not be conflated.
Drug label
Israel Ministry of Health: Esomed Gel patient leaflet ↗
September 2020 patient leaflet for 4% hydroquinone gel. Describes peroxide interaction and temporary color from oxidation. Foreign product record, not US approval, a frequency estimate, diagnosis or instructions for another cream.
Drug label
DailyMed: Marlex hydroquinone 4% cream ↗
Record updated November 13, 2025; unapproved drug other. Used for ochronosis/hypersensitivity warnings, not peroxide interaction, approval or identification of any reviewed service’s supply.
Provider
Likeness Rx — Dark Spot Cream ↗
Official product ingredients, displayed prices and subscription renewal, checked October 4, 2026. No patient care or fulfillment test performed.
Provider shipping reference and supplied service information
CoreAge Rx: shipping and service information ↗
Homepage shipping reference; customer service and payment details supplied for this review, without a checkout or timed support test
Official product or purchase terms
Vinoperfect Facial Radiance Dark Spot Serum | CAUDALIE® ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Official product or purchase terms
Frequently Asked Questions | CAUDALIE® | RETURN POLICY ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Clinical background
How to test skin care products ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Official product or purchase terms
Vitamin illuminating Serum_Original – EQQUALBERRY ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Official product or purchase terms
Refund policy – EQQUALBERRY ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Official product or purchase terms
Refund policy – Obagi ↗
Public source checked for this editorial review; no product-use or transaction test.
Scientific evidence
Efficacy and Safety of Generic Fluocinolone Acetonide, Hydroquinone, and Tretinoin Cream Compared With TRI-LUMA for the Treatment of Moderate-To-Severe Melasma in Chinese Patients: A Randomized, Single-Center, Placebo-Controlled Trial. ↗
Full research article, with indexed abstract where available
Scientific evidence
Comparison of Visible Light-Protective Tinted Sunscreen to Untinted Sunscreen to Protect Melasma Patients During Summer: A Prospective Randomized Investigator-Blinded Study. ↗
Full primary research letter plus verified PMC funding footnote; supporting-information document and figure-derived numerical data not reviewed