What Is Coenzyme Q10? Does It Really Work in Skin Creams?

Every cell of the body contains coenzyme Q10, which has two jobs. In the mitochondria it carries electrons and takes part in energy production. In the cell membrane it acts as an antioxidant. In the skin it exists in two forms: the oxidised ubiquinone and the reduced ubiquinol. On cosmetic labels you usually see ubiquinone; once applied, part of it converts to ubiquinol in the upper layer (epidermis). Its theoretical appeal comes from this: it is a molecule the cell recognises.

Does Q10 really decline with age?

Yes, but the figure is smaller than assumed. In one study that measured this, samples were taken from the epidermis of the forearm: in 28 people aged 20-25, the level was 9,45, and in 28 people aged 60-66, 8,04 units. So there is a difference of about 15%. In the ubiquinone-to-ubiquinol balance, no significant age-related change was seen.

The limits of this data are also clear. It was measured only on the forearm, and all the authors are current or former employees of a company that produces Q10 products. If you encounter more dramatic figures such as "halved in the skin", be cautious about their source. Also, the fact that a decline occurs does not prove that the cause of wrinkles is Q10 deficiency or that adding it reverses this. Most of ageing is determined by photoageing.

How far does the cream carry Q10?

Q10 is a large, fat-soluble molecule (molecular weight about 863), so its entry into the skin depends heavily on the formula. In ex vivo skin studies it mostly stayed in the epidermis and was markedly less present in the lower skin. A controlled two-week study on the forearms of 73 women measured this in humans too:

The percentages in the table were roughly calculated from the study's micromolar values and averages. The result shows that Q10 can enter the skin. But this research did not measure wrinkles, and it comes from the same company.

Where does the phrase "gives energy to the skin" come from?

The basis for this claim is at cell level. In the same study, adding ubiquinone to cultured human skin cells increased oxygen consumption by about 38%; in another study, mitochondrial respiration and ATP production rose in human epidermis samples. It is also reported that after UVA, the collagen-degrading enzyme was suppressed in the laboratory. These are real findings, but there are many unproven steps between a cell using more oxygen and a change visible in the mirror.

What is the evidence for wrinkles?

• 1999: Application around the eyes for 6 months in 20 people was reported to reduce wrinkle depth. Irritation was similar to the carrier cream. An old and small study.
• Half-face study: 38-66-year-old 41 women, 4 weeks, under the eyes. Roughness measurements were better on the product side than the untreated side. Unpublished company data.
• Crêpey appearance: In 36 women over 40, expert assessment showed improvement on the neck, chest, arms and hands over 2-4 weeks. This is also unpublished company data.
• 2024 review: Reviewed 36 publications and concludes that topical Q10 reduced wrinkle depth. It received unconditional funding from the company; three of the six authors are employees of that company, and some of the data are not public.

So the data are consistently positive, but they come from nearly the same source. No independent, large, placebo-controlled wrinkle study is seen. This does not show that Q10 does not work, but it is also hard to say how much it works. The evidence for factors such as retinol is far above this level.

When choosing and using a Q10 cream

• Concentration: In the study measuring skin penetration, the concentration was well below one percent, so a high concentration alone is not a criterion. The EU cosmetics regulation's restricted substances annexes have no separate record for ubiquinone.
• Appearance: Q10 is a yellow-orange substance, which may be why the cream is slightly yellowish.
• Expectation: Use it regularly for at least 6 weeks for the appearance; do not expect a change in deep lines.
• Sun: An antioxidant cream is not a filter. Apply a broad-spectrum product of at least SPF 30; renew it every 2 hours and after sweating or swimming. The sunscreen article explains the amount.
• Tolerance: Well tolerated in studies, but the rest of the product also matters. Test it on the inner arm or elbow crease for 7-10 days, twice a day, before moving to the face.
• Pregnancy: Consult your doctor before starting a new anti-ageing product during this period.