Co-enzyme Q10 {CoQ10}

What Is Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in Skincare?

Coenzyme Q10, listed on ingredient labels as ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble antioxidant that your own cells make and use in the mitochondria, the part of the cell that produces energy. In skincare it is used as an oil-phase antioxidant that helps protect a formula and the skin's surface lipids from oxidation, and it is a classic choice in products aimed at the look of dull, tired, or mature skin.

EWG Skin Deep rating for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)

Skin levels of CoQ10 are naturally higher in the outer epidermis than in the deeper dermis, and the body's own supply is part of the skin's built-in antioxidant network. Topical CoQ10 is meant to top up that network from the outside.

Quick Facts

How CoQ10 Works on the Skin

CoQ10 is a redox molecule: it accepts and donates electrons, which is how it moves energy along inside the cell and how it quenches free radicals. Ultraviolet light and pollution generate free radicals on the skin's surface, and those radicals oxidize skin lipids and proteins. Oxidative stress is one of the main drivers of the look of photoaging: fine lines, uneven tone, and a dull, rough surface.

Because CoQ10 is lipid soluble, it sits naturally in oily formulas and in the skin's lipid layers, where it works alongside vitamin E. The two are often paired because vitamin E and CoQ10 help keep each other in their active antioxidant forms.

What the research measured

• In a study by Hoppe and colleagues (BioFactors, 1999), topically applied CoQ10 penetrated into the living layers of the epidermis and lowered markers of oxidation. In the human portion of the work, applied around the eyes for six months, a reduction in wrinkle depth was measured. In lab tests on skin cells, CoQ10 protected keratinocytes against UVA-induced oxidative stress and lowered UVA-triggered collagenase (a collagen-breaking enzyme) in fibroblasts.
• In a study by Knott and colleagues (BioFactors, 2015), topical formulas containing CoQ10 raised the measured CoQ10 level in skin and showed antioxidant effects.
• A 2024 review in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (Lain and colleagues) concluded that topical CoQ10 raises CoQ10 levels in the skin and summarized its use in formulas for the look of aging skin. Note that the review was funded by a skincare company that makes CoQ10 products.

Read these results for what they are: CoQ10 is an antioxidant that reaches the skin when applied topically, and in studies it supported the look of smoother, more even skin over months, not days.

How to Use CoQ10 in DIY Formulas

• Dissolve it in warm oil. Warm the oil phase to about 49°C to 50°C (120°F to 122°F) and stir the powder in until fully dissolved and the oil turns clear orange. CoQ10 is heat stable, so it can also go into the oil phase of a hot process emulsion before heating.
• Do not add it as a dry powder to a finished lotion. Undissolved crystals stay gritty and will not perform.
• Watch for crystals. Its oil solubility is low, so at higher rates it can fall out of solution over time. If you see specks, gently warm the bottle and shake. Lighter, more polar carrier oils and esters hold it better than heavy butters.
• Pair it with vitamin E. Adding 0.5% to 1% vitamin E (tocopherol) to the oil phase helps protect both the CoQ10 and the carrier oil.
• Expect color. CoQ10 tints a formula yellow to orange. That is normal.
• Package and store it well. Use opaque, airless packaging, keep it away from heat and sunlight, and store the raw powder sealed in a cool, dark place.

Simple CoQ10 face oil (1 fl oz / 30 ml)

• 27.5 g light carrier oil (jojoba or a jojoba and squalane blend)
• 0.9 g CoQ10 powder (3%, the top of the supplier range)
• 0.3 g vitamin E (1%)

Warm the carrier oil to about 50°C, stir in the CoQ10 until fully dissolved, cool, then add vitamin E. Bottle in an amber or opaque dropper bottle. Use 3 to 4 drops at night after serum. Learn more about the base oil in our jojoba oil glossary entry.

Who CoQ10 Suits

CoQ10 suits most skin types, especially dry, mature, and sun-exposed skin that looks dull or tired. It fits easily into night oils, creams, and eye creams. It is generally well tolerated with low irritation potential. If you have sensitive skin, patch test first on the inner arm for 24 hours and start at the lowest rate of the range (0.2%), then work up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does CoQ10 do for your skin?

CoQ10 is an oil-soluble antioxidant that helps protect the skin's surface lipids from free radicals created by UV light and pollution. In studies, topical CoQ10 raised CoQ10 levels in the skin and, over months of use, a reduction in wrinkle depth was measured around the eyes. The result is skin that looks smoother and less tired over time.

Why is CoQ10 used in products for mature skin?

Your cells make their own CoQ10, but UV light and pollution use up the skin's antioxidants day after day. Topical CoQ10 is meant to top up the supply at the skin's surface. That is why it is a favorite in products for mature and sun-exposed skin.

Is it better to take CoQ10 or apply it to the skin?

They are different routes with different research. This entry covers topical use, where studies have measured higher CoQ10 levels in the skin after application. If you are considering a supplement, ask your doctor, especially if you take other medications.

Can I use CoQ10 with vitamin C or retinol?

Yes. CoQ10 works in the oil phase and pairs well with other antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E. Many people use vitamin C in the morning and a CoQ10 oil or cream at night, alongside or on alternate nights from retinol.

Is CoQ10 good for the under-eye area?

Yes. The Hoppe study measured its effect on wrinkle depth around the eyes, and CoQ10 is well tolerated in eye creams. Choose a lightweight cream and patch test first if your eye area is sensitive.

Why is my CoQ10 product orange?

Pure CoQ10 is a bright yellow-orange powder, so it tints creams and oils. A noticeable color is a sign the ingredient is present at a meaningful level. If the color fades sharply or the product smells off, it may be past its best.

Is CoQ10 the same as idebenone?

No. Idebenone is a smaller, lab-made relative of CoQ10 with a similar antioxidant role. See our idebenone glossary entry for how the two compare.

Shop and Learn More

Browse our antioxidant skincare collection for formulas built around free radical protection, and read Antioxidants in Face Creams for how CoQ10 fits with vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidants.

Sources

• Hoppe U, Bergemann J, Diembeck W, et al. Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer. BioFactors. 1999;9(2-4):371-378. PubMed
• Knott A, Achterberg V, Smuda C, et al. Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin's Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. BioFactors. 2015;41(6):383-390. PubMed
• Lain E, Agrawal N, Ruvolo E, Weise JM, Callender VD. The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Opportunities for Topical Intervention: A Review. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2024;17(8):50-55. PMC

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About the Author
Written by Kari Thomas, cosmetic formulator and founder of Skin Perfection.