Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Hydroxyquinoline, particularly 8-hydroxyquinoline and its derivatives, has a documented history of use for treating skin infections due to its antimicrobial properties. The compound acts as a chelating agent and exhibits broad-spectrum activity against bacteria and fungi, which underlies its inclusion in some topical antiseptic preparations. Historically, hydroxyquinoline derivatives such as clioquinol and oxine have been used in creams, ointments, and powders intended for superficial skin infections, fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot), and as adjuncts in wound care.

The scientific evidence primarily comes from in vitro studies and clinical experience rather than large-scale, contemporary randomized controlled trials. Hydroxyquinoline's mechanism involves disrupting microbial cell function by chelating essential metal ions, thereby inhibiting the growth of pathogens. Its use has declined with the advent of more targeted and less toxic antimicrobials, but it occasionally appears in combination topical agents.

Overall, the evidence base is moderate: there is clear antimicrobial activity and historical precedent for use in skin infections, but limited modern clinical trial data. Safety concerns, particularly regarding neurotoxicity with certain derivatives (notably clioquinol), have further restricted its use. Nevertheless, hydroxyquinoline remains an example of an older antimicrobial agent with both scientific basis and clinical utility in specific dermatological contexts.

More about hydroxyquinoline
More about Skin (infections)

Other ingredients used for Skin (infections)

10-Undecenoic Acid
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-Phenyllactic Acid
Abuta
Acemannan
Achyranthes
Aerva lanata
Agave
Ajoene
Ajuga
Akebia
Alantolactone
Albizia
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Allyl isothiocyanate
Aloe vera
alpha-pinene
alpha-terpineol
Alstonia scholaris
American Liverleaf
American Pawpaw
Ampelopsis
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia viridiflora
Ardisia
Arisaema
Artepillin C
asafoetida
Asam gelugor
aucubin
Aureobasidium pullulans
azelaic acid
babchi
Bacillus
Backhousia citriodora
bael
Baliospermum
banyan
Baphicacanthus cusia
barberry
bentonite
benzoin
Bergenia
bisabolene
Black spruce
black walnut
Blepharis
Boswellic Acid
Bougainvillea
Brazilian peppertree
burning bush
California pitcher plant
camphor oil
Casearia esculenta
castile soap
Cedrus libani
chaparral
Chekiang Fritillary
chickweed
Chiococca alba
chlorophyll
Chondracanthus chamissoi
Cistus
citral
citronella
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cocklebur
copaiba oil
copper
croton seeds
Cynodon dactylon
cypress
daphne
Didymocarpus
echinacea purpurea
Echinodorus
emu oil
farnesol
Ficus religiosa
fir
fleabane
frankincense
Galbanum
Galium
gallic acid
genipap
geranial
geraniol
Gigartina
glyceryl caprylate caprate
Glycolipids
Glycyrrhetinic acid
golden shower tree
goldenrod
goldenseal
Guazuma ulmifolia
heartwood
Hemidesmus
Homalomena
Houttuynia
Hyaluronidase
hydroxyquinoline
Hypericin
Immortelle
Immunoglobulin G
Indian nightshade
Indian sarsparilla
Ivy
Japanese sophora
Jatoba
juniper berries
Kachnar
Kigelia africana
knotgrass
knotweed
Labdanum
lactic acid
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lactoperoxidase
Laminaria
Lantana camara
Ledebouriella
Leptadenia
Leptospermum scoparium
Lilium polyphyllum
liverwort
Lophira lanceolata
loquat
Loranthus
lupulone
Lysimachia
Mahonia
manzanita
Marjoram
Marking Nut Tree
Matapalo Tree
melaleuca alternifolia
Mesua
Milkweed
Monolaurin
Mountain horopito
Mountain mahogany
Mucilage
Mullein
Nasturtium
Night jessamine
Oak
Oldenlandia diffusa
oriental arborvitae
paederia foetida
Pentatropis capensis
Pepper Bark Tree
Plumbago zeylanica
Polypodium
Premna
privet
purple Tephrosia
queen of the meadow
Queen's Delight
quercetin
Rhododendron
Rosa laevigata
Rosmanol
Rubia cordifolia
Sapindus mukorossi
Sarcandra glabra
sarsaparilla
Scoparia dulcis
Semecarpus anacardium
Semiaquilegia
Sesquiterpenic Acid
sheep's sorrel
Shikonin
Silk protein
Silkmoth
Simaruba
Skunkvine
smilax
Smoketree
Snakeroot
Soapberry
Solanum anguivi
Spikenard
Spilanthes
Stillingia
Stone Root
Storax
Streptomyces
sweetgums
Takuna
Terpinen-4-ol
Thymol
Trypsin
turmeric
typhonium
Verbascoside
Veronica
vitamin C
Waltheria ovata
White oak
Wintergreen
Witch Hazel
Wrightia tinctoria
Xanthoparmelia
Xanthorrhizol
Yarrow
Yellow Dock
Yellow root
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Zinc

Other health conditions supported by hydroxyquinoline

Athlete's Foot
Skin (infections)
Urinary Tract Infections

Products containing hydroxyquinoline

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.