Monobenzone & Vitiligo
Complete FAQ

Monobenzone cream (monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone / MBEH) is an FDA-approved topical depigmenting agent used exclusively for permanent depigmentation in patients with extensive vitiligo.

It has been FDA-approved since 1952 and is considered the most potent depigmenting agent available. Monobenzone permanently destroys melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells in the skin — resulting in irreversible depigmentation of treated areas.

Monobenzone works through two mechanisms:

1. Free-radical formation — causes necrotic destruction of melanocytes in treated skin areas
2. Tyrosinase inhibition — blocks the enzyme involved in melanin (pigment) production

As melanin production decreases, treated skin gradually lightens to match the depigmented vitiligo patches. The effect is permanent and irreversible.

Monobenzone cream is indicated exclusively for vitiligo patients where:

• Vitiligo affects more than 50% of the body surface area
• Repigmentation treatments have failed or are not suitable
• The patient has made an informed decision about permanent depigmentation
• Treatment is supervised by a qualified dermatologist

Monobenzone 20% — Standard starting concentration. Same strength as the original Benoquin cream. Recommended for initiating depigmentation therapy or for patients with sensitive skin.

Monobenzone 40% — Higher concentration for accelerated depigmentation. Used when 20% has been well-tolerated, or when faster results are required. Not available in the original Benoquin brand — exclusive to our store.

Always follow your dermatologist's recommendation on which concentration to use.

Yes. Monobenzone (MBEH) has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration since 1952 for permanent depigmentation of extensive vitiligo — making it one of the longest-approved dermatological treatments available.

It is the only FDA-approved treatment specifically indicated for depigmentation in vitiligo universalis (extensive vitiligo).

Benoquin is a brand name for monobenzone 20% cream, formerly manufactured by ICN Pharmaceuticals (later Valeant Pharmaceuticals). Benoquin (monobenzone 20%) was an FDA-approved topical prescription cream used to permanently lighten skin in individuals with extensive vitiligo.

Benoquin has been discontinued and is no longer commercially available. Our monobenzone cream contains the same pharmaceutical-grade active ingredient.

Yes. Benoquin is simply a brand name for monobenzone 20% cream. Monobenzone (monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone) is the active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Our monobenzone cream contains this exact same active ingredient — manufactured to pharmaceutical grade standards by Behvazan Pharmaceutical Co. (Rasht, Iran), and available in both 20% (equivalent to Benoquin) and 40% (exclusive higher strength).

Benoquik is another brand name for monobenzone 20% cream, manufactured by Quik Pharmaceuticals. Like Benoquin, Benoquik contains monobenzone as the active depigmenting ingredient and is used for vitiligo depigmentation therapy.

Our monobenzone cream contains the same active ingredient as Benoquik, available in 20% and 40% strengths.

Albaquin is a brand name for monobenzone cream used in certain markets. It contains monobenzone as the active depigmenting ingredient for vitiligo treatment. Like Benoquin and Benoquik, Albaquin works by permanently destroying melanocytes in treated skin areas.

Monobenzone cream is sold under many brand names worldwide. These include:

• Benoquin — ICN/Valeant Pharmaceuticals (discontinued)
• Benoquik — Quik Pharmaceuticals
• Albaquin — various markets
• Pigmex — various markets
• Depigman — various markets
• Monozan — Behvazan Pharmaceutical Co., Iran
• Leucodinine — European markets
• Agerite / AgeRite — historical brand
• Carmifal — various markets
• Dermochinona — Spanish markets
• Superlite — various markets

All contain monobenzone (monobenzyl ether of hydroquinone) as the active ingredient.

Monozan is a brand name for monobenzone cream manufactured by Behvazan Pharmaceutical Co. in Rasht, Iran. Monozan 20% contains monobenzone 20% w/w in a topical cream base and is used for vitiligo depigmentation therapy.

Our monobenzone cream is this same Behvazan-manufactured product, available in both 20% and 40% concentrations with worldwide shipping.

You can buy monobenzone cream 20% and 40% online directly from us at monobenzone.shop. We ship worldwide via UPS and FedEx to:

• USA and Canada
• UK and all European countries
• Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain
• And many more countries worldwide

Contact us on WhatsApp +923174900576 for current pricing and availability.

Our monobenzone cream pricing:

• Monobenzone 20% Cream (30g) — From $19 per tube
• Monobenzone 40% Cream (30g) — From $29 per tube

Bulk order discounts are available. Contact us on WhatsApp for wholesale pricing and volume discounts.

Prescription requirements for monobenzone cream vary by country. In many countries it is a prescription-only medication due to its permanent effects. We supply to patients, pharmacies, clinics and distributors worldwide.

Contact us on WhatsApp to discuss ordering requirements for your specific country.

Pharmaceutical-grade monobenzone cream is generally not available on Amazon due to its classification as a prescription pharmaceutical product. Amazon does not sell medicated monobenzone cream.

You can buy genuine pharmaceutical-grade monobenzone cream directly from us at monobenzone.shop with worldwide shipping.

Yes! We welcome bulk and wholesale orders from:

• Pharmaceutical importers and distributors
• Pharmacies and drug stores
• Dermatology clinics
• Individual patients requiring multiple tubes

Contact us on WhatsApp +923174900576 for bulk pricing, minimum order quantities, and shipping rates for your country.

Monobenzone cream should be applied as follows (always follow your dermatologist's specific instructions):

1. Apply a thin layer to the pigmented areas you want to depigment
2. Rub in gently — avoid contact with eyes, nose and mouth
3. Apply 2-3 times daily as directed by your dermatologist
4. Use sunscreen daily on all exposed skin
5. Continue for up to 4-12 months depending on response

Results timeline based on clinical evidence:

• 1-4 months — First visible depigmentation results begin
• 3-6 months — Significant depigmentation in most patients
• 9-12 months — Full depigmentation of targeted areas

A peer-reviewed clinical study (PMC3533321) documented excellent depigmentation results with monobenzone 20% within 3.5 months of twice-daily application, with results confirmed stable at 3-year follow-up.

Yes — absolutely essential. Monobenzone cream permanently removes the skin's natural UV protection by destroying melanocytes. Depigmented skin is highly susceptible to sunburn and UV damage.

Use a high-SPF broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 50+) daily on all exposed skin — both during treatment and for the rest of your life after treatment.

Yes. Clinical research has shown that topical all-trans-retinoic acid (vitamin A derivative) combined with monobenzone has synergistic depigmenting effects, yielding faster and more effective results.

According to published research, retinoic acid enhances the absorption of monobenzone by melanocytes through the inactivation of their glutathione-dependent defense mechanisms. Always use combination therapy under medical supervision.

Known side effects of monobenzone cream include:

• Skin irritation — redness, itching at application site (common)
• Contact dermatitis — allergic skin reaction (less common)
• Increased sun sensitivity — permanent after treatment
• Ocular side effects — if cream contacts eyes
• Exogenous ochronosis — rare, blue-black skin discoloration
• Unpredictable spread — depigmentation may spread beyond treated areas

Monobenzone cream has been FDA-approved since 1952 and is considered safe when used as directed for its indicated purpose (extensive vitiligo depigmentation) under medical supervision.

However, it is not appropriate for everyone. It should not be used by:

• People seeking cosmetic skin lightening
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women (without medical advice)
• Children under 12 years (safety not established)
• People allergic to monobenzone or any cream ingredient

Yes — monobenzone depigmentation is permanent and irreversible. This is the most important thing to understand before starting treatment.

Monobenzone permanently destroys the melanocytes in treated skin. Once destroyed, these cells cannot regenerate and pigmentation will not return — even after stopping treatment. Sun exposure may cause some temporary repigmentation in treated areas.

Yes! We ship monobenzone cream worldwide via UPS Express and FedEx International to:

• North America: USA, Canada — 5-10 days
• Europe: UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and all EU — 7-12 days
• Gulf: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain — 3-7 days
• Rest of World: Australia, Asia, Africa — contact us

Ordering is simple:

1. Contact us on WhatsApp: +923174900576
2. Tell us which strength (20% or 40%) and quantity you need
3. Tell us your country for shipping rate
4. We confirm pricing and availability
5. Arrange payment and we ship via UPS or FedEx

Yes. All orders are shipped in plain, discreet packaging via UPS or FedEx with full tracking. The package does not display the product name or contents on the outside.

We provide complete documentation including:

• Commercial invoice
• Certificate of Analysis (COA)
• Pharmaceutical product certificate
• Arabic and English documentation available on request

Vitiligo (vit-ih-LIE-go) is a chronic autoimmune skin condition affecting up to 2% of the global population. It causes the loss of skin color in patches due to the destruction of melanocytes (pigment-producing cells).

The condition can affect any part of the body and can also affect hair and the inside of the mouth. While not medically dangerous, it can have significant psychosocial impact — studies show vitiligo patients have a rate of depression twice that of the general population.

There are two main approaches:

1. Repigmentation — attempts to restore color to vitiligo patches:

• Topical steroids (50-75% repigmentation rate)
• Tacrolimus and calcipotriene
• PUVA (psoralen + UV-A light)
• NB-UVB (narrow-band UV-B light)
• Melanocyte transplantation

2. Depigmentation — removes remaining pigment for uniform appearance:

• Monobenzone cream (MBEH) — FDA-approved, most potent option
• Laser therapy
• Cryotherapy

Depigmentation is preferred when vitiligo affects more than 50% of the body surface and repigmentation has failed.

Monobenzone (MBEH) is the preferred depigmentation agent for several reasons:

• Only FDA-approved treatment specifically for vitiligo depigmentation
• Most potent depigmenting agent available
• Proven results — clinical studies confirm effectiveness
• Topical application — easy to use at home
• Long history — used since the 1930s, FDA-approved since 1952

According to peer-reviewed research published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (PMCID: PMC3533321), monobenzone demonstrated excellent clinical response with permanent results confirmed at 3-year follow-up.

There is currently no cure for vitiligo. Treatment options aim to either restore pigmentation (repigmentation) or achieve a uniform skin tone through depigmentation.

Monobenzone therapy does not cure vitiligo but provides an effective way to achieve a uniform skin appearance by permanently depigmenting remaining pigmented areas to match the already-depigmented vitiligo patches — resulting in significant improvement in quality of life.

Depigmentation with monobenzone is generally recommended when vitiligo affects more than 50% of the body surface area. At this extent, depigmentation is often considered easier and more effective than attempting repigmentation of such large areas.

The decision is made on an individual basis considering the patient's preferences, skin type, extent of vitiligo, and previous treatment history — always in consultation with a qualified dermatologist.