Provided in the present disclosure is a composition comprising hydroquinone or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient, and characterized in that the hydroquinone or the derivative thereof is stabilized by means of poloxamer. The composition of the present disclosure increases the soluble concentration of the hydroquinone or the derivative thereof, can have high melt stability without precipitation even at high concentration in water, can enhance storage stability by preventing oxidation reaction to external stimulations such as heat, oxygen and light, can prevent discoloration, and thus has reduced toxicity induced by an oxidation product of the hydroquinone and can reduce inflammatory response. Also, the composition of the present disclosure can enhance whitening efficacy by enhancing the skin permeability of the hydroquinone or the derivative thereof by means of micelles, and thus is useful for a whitening activity having hydroquinone or a derivative thereof as an active ingredient.