Melanorm Cream
✅ Lightens skin pigmentation
✅ Reduces melanin production
✅ Evens skin tone
✅ Treats hyperpigmentation disorders
✅ Safe for daily use
✓ Medically reviewed by Morgan Ellis — Pharmacy Researcher · 8 years experience · Last reviewed: May 2026
💡 Quick Answer — What is Melanorm Cream?
Melanorm Cream contains hydroquinone 2% — a topical depigmenting agent for melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), and patchy facial pigmentation. Apply a thin layer at night to the pigmented area only. Daily SPF 50+ broad-spectrum is mandatory through the course. Standard Kligman cycle: 4–6 months on, then a steroid-free maintenance phase (azelaic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid) to avoid ochronosis. Lower-strength 2% — suitable for cycling without a steroid component.
📦 Every order is covered by our Reshipment Assurance Policy — if your parcel does not arrive within 20 business days, we reship it.
Why order from MedsBase
Our generic medications are sourced from WHO-GMP certified manufacturers and shipped worldwide in discreet, plain packaging — no medication name on the parcel exterior. Card payments are routed through a regulated processor (statement descriptors include a regulated card-payment processor — never “MedsBase” or any medication name). Crypto and SEPA bank transfer are also accepted. Every order is backed by our Reshipment Assurance Policy.
Why order from MedsBase
Choosing Melanorm Cream from MedsBase:
- WHO-GMP certified manufacturer — sourced from a regulated facility, finished pack with batch number and expiry.
- Discreet packaging — plain envelope, no medication name on the outside.
- Worldwide shipping with Reshipment Assurance — if your parcel does not arrive within 20 business days we re-ship at no cost (subject to policy terms).
- Loyalty points — 1 point per $1 spent (excludes peptides); 100 points = $5 off.
What Melanorm Cream is and how it works
Melanorm Cream is a topical depigmenting cream containing hydroquinone 2%. Hydroquinone is a tyrosinase inhibitor — it blocks the enzyme that converts tyrosine into melanin, which lightens existing pigment and reduces new pigment formation. At 2% strength, hydroquinone monotherapy is suitable for sensitive skin, maintenance use, or when the steroid component of a triple cream is not appropriate. Manufacturer: Yash Pharma (WHO-GMP certified).
Indications
- Melasma — symmetric brown facial pigmentation, often hormone-triggered.
- Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation — dark spots after acne, eczema, burns, or trauma.
- Solar lentigines — sun-induced age spots on face, hands, and chest.
- Freckles and ephelides — focal use; effects partially reverse with sun exposure.
How to apply (Kligman cycling)
| Phase | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Initiation | Apply a small dot at night to the pigmented patch only. Start every other night for 1–2 weeks if irritation is a concern. |
| Active phase | Once nightly for 4–6 months. Review monthly; stop if no improvement at 8 weeks. |
| Sun protection | SPF 50+ broad-spectrum every morning, mandatory. UV exposure undoes 4–6 months of work in days. |
| Cycling off | After 4–6 months, switch to maintenance: SPF + a non-hydroquinone agent (azelaic acid 15–20%, kojic acid, niacinamide, tranexamic acid). |
| Re-cycling | Resume only if pigment recurs and only after a 2–3-month off-phase to prevent ochronosis. |
⚠️ Ochronosis & long-term use — Continuous hydroquinone use beyond 6 months — especially without rotation — can cause exogenous ochronosis, a paradoxical blue-black darkening that is largely irreversible. The 4–6-month-on / cycle-off rule exists for this reason. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or on broken skin.
Side effects
- Common: mild burning, stinging, dryness, peeling, transient erythema during the first 2–3 weeks. Usually subsides as the skin acclimates.
- Less common: contact dermatitis to hydroquinone, photosensitivity, perioral dermatitis if applied near the mouth.
- Rare but serious: exogenous ochronosis with prolonged use, halo depigmentation of surrounding skin if applied over too wide an area.
Drug interactions
Avoid concurrent strong topical agents (benzoyl peroxide, alpha hydroxy acids, glycolic peels, microdermabrasion) on the same area without a 24-hour gap. Avoid resorcinol-, peroxide-, or salicylate-containing products to prevent staining and additive irritation.
Contraindications
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (tretinoin in combo formulas is teratogenic; hydroquinone has limited safety data in pregnancy).
- Children under 12.
- Known sensitivity to hydroquinone, retinoids, or steroids.
- Active eczema, severe sunburn, or open skin at the application site.
- Vitiligo — depigmenting agents on patchy pigment loss can worsen contrast.
Storage
Store below 25 °C, away from direct light. Hydroquinone oxidises and turns brown on prolonged air exposure — discard if it darkens noticeably or smells acrid. Tighten tube cap firmly after each use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast will I see results from Melanorm Cream?
Subtle lightening starts at 4–6 weeks; full effect on melasma typically takes 3–6 months. If no change at 8 weeks, the diagnosis or the cause needs review (sun, hormones, post-inflammatory).
Why is hydroquinone restricted in many countries?
The US FDA removed OTC hydroquinone from the market in September 2020 after evaluating ochronosis case reports and unregulated cosmetic use. Europe (EU), Japan, and most of Asia have similar restrictions. The product remains available globally for medical use under specialist supervision.
Can I use Melanorm Cream on my whole face?
No — apply only to pigmented patches, not whole face. Whole-face use risks halo depigmentation of normally-pigmented skin and increases ochronosis risk.
What does “Kligman cycling” mean?
A protocol of 4–6 months on the triple cream followed by 2–3 months on a non-hydroquinone maintenance plan (azelaic acid, niacinamide, kojic acid) before any potential resumption. This pattern reduces ochronosis risk while keeping pigment under control.
Can I use Melanorm Cream during pregnancy?
No. Hydroquinone has limited safety data in pregnancy. Defer treatment until after pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why is sunscreen mandatory?
UV exposure is the strongest driver of melanin synthesis and the leading cause of melasma recurrence. Without daily SPF 50+ broad-spectrum, hydroquinone treatment will fail. Reapply every 2 hours during sun exposure.
Can I combine Melanorm Cream with chemical peels?
Only under dermatology supervision. Peels can amplify hydroquinone’s effect but also increase irritation, post-peel hyperpigmentation, and ochronosis risk. Pause hydroquinone for 7 days before and after a peel.
What is ochronosis and how do I recognise it?
Exogenous ochronosis is a paradoxical blue-black darkening of treated skin from prolonged hydroquinone use. It develops gradually and is largely irreversible. If your treated patches darken or develop a slate-grey tint after 4+ months, stop hydroquinone immediately and see a dermatologist.
What are alternatives to hydroquinone?
For maintenance or for patients who cannot tolerate hydroquinone: azelaic acid 15–20%, kojic acid 1–4%, tranexamic acid (oral or topical), niacinamide 4–10%, cysteamine 5%, and arbutin. None are as fast as hydroquinone but all have better long-term safety.
How is Melanorm Cream different from other hydroquinone creams?
It is hydroquinone monotherapy at 2% — slower than triple combos but gentler and suitable for cycling, sensitive skin, or maintenance.
Other Beauty & Skin Care Medications
- Melalite Forte Cream — hydroquinone 4% for melasma
- Retino-A Cream — tretinoin for acne and ageing
- Melacare Cream — Kligman triple for melasma
- Permite Cream — permethrin 5% for scabies
- Tenovate Cream — clobetasol 0.05% for severe inflammation
Medical disclaimer. This content is for general information about the product and is not medical advice or a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Use any topical or oral medication only under appropriate medical supervision; misuse can cause serious harm.
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| Strength | 2%/0.01% |
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| Quantity | 1 Tube/s, 3 Tube/s, 6 Tube/s |
| Pharma Form | Cream/s |
| Manufacturer | Ajanta Pharma |
| Treatment | Hyperpigmentation, Melasma |
| Generic Brand | Deca Peptide |
Melanorm Cream
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