Understanding Coenzyme Q10: A Guide for Formulators

Author: Aryan Kenia
Life Sciences Analyst

CoQ10 is a lipophilic benzoquinone with a ten-unit isoprenoid tail that plays two roles relevant to skin. First, it is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial electron transport chain and therefore supports cellular energy and repair. Second, its reduced form ubiquinol acts as a chain-breaking antioxidant in membranes. For cosmetic R&D teams this combination creates a clear biological rationale: replenishing cutaneous CoQ10 may reduce oxidative damage, support matrix maintenance, and improve visible signs of ageing.

This guide is written for formulation scientists, ingredient buyers, and product strategy teams. It combines evidence, supplier and format guidance, and stepwise formulation best practices to support decision making and product development.

What Coenzyme Q10 is

CoQ10 is known as ubiquinone when oxidised and ubiquinol when reduced. Both forms occur in biology, but ubiquinol is the more active antioxidant. Key facts:

• Chemical identity: 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-6-decaprenyl-1,4-benzoquinone (CoQ10).
• Physical properties: highly lipophilic, crystalline as a raw powder, yellow-orange tint when concentrated.
• Biological role: electron carrier in mitochondria and membrane antioxidant that regenerates other antioxidants such as vitamin E.

Practical implication: the lipophilicity of CoQ10 requires oil-phase incorporation or specialised dispersion strategies to achieve useful skin deposition.

Mechanisms of Action

Topical CoQ10 can produce effects through multiple complementary mechanisms:

• Antioxidant protection. Ubiquinol neutralises reactive oxygen species and prevents lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes.
• Mitochondrial support. CoQ10 participates in ATP generation which correlates with improved cellular metabolism and repair capacity.
• Matrix modulation. Data indicate reductions in MMP expression and increases in collagen-related markers in treated tissues, supporting improved texture over time.
• Synergy with other antioxidants. CoQ10 functions within an antioxidant network and may recycle or be recycled by vitamin E and vitamin C.

These mechanisms explain why CoQ10 can be considered both a short term protective active and a longer term support for skin resiliency.

Evidence Overview

The evidence base includes in vitro mechanistic data, ex vivo assays, preclinical animal models, and human clinical trials. Selected, actionable data points are below.

• 14 day topical penetration and antioxidant trial. Controlled investigation (n = 73, females aged 20 to 66) compared two CoQ10 formulations applied twice daily at 2 mg/cm²: a cream containing 348 µM ubiquinone and a serum containing 870 µM ubiquinone. Results: epidermal quinone content increased approximately 16 percent for the lower concentration cream and 47 percent for the higher concentration serum versus untreated control. Measured free radical reduction was about 7.7 percent for the cream and 9.3 percent for the serum in subjects with elevated oxidative stress. These data demonstrate measurable skin uptake and acute antioxidant effect from topical CoQ10. (Source: presentation and Knott et al., 2015).
• Oral supplementation, 12 week trials. Randomised placebo controlled trials of water-soluble CoQ10 at 50 mg and 150 mg daily for 12 weeks reported statistically significant reductions in periorbital wrinkle depth and improvements in skin smoothness compared to placebo. Effects were modest and dose responsive in some facial regions. Oral CoQ10 can complement topical strategies but is not a substitute for targeted topical delivery.
• Wound healing and reparative models. In diabetic mouse models the combination of low level light therapy and topical CoQ10 accelerated wound closure markedly in the early phase, suggesting reparative potential in impaired healing environments. Translational human evidence is limited and claims should be conservative.
• Safety. Regulatory reviews and expert panels consider ubiquinone ingredients safe for cosmetic use at customary concentrations. Reported irritation is low when formulations are properly stabilised.

These data points should guide pilot decisions and the design of longer-term clinical programs.

Formats and supplier selection

Selecting an appropriate CoQ10 format is fundamental to product success. Options and considerations:

• Ubiquinone (oxidised) vs ubiquinol (reduced). Ubiquinol is a stronger antioxidant but oxidises more readily in formulations. Ubiquinone is often more stable and cost effective. If you choose ubiquinol, insist on supplier stability data and recommended handling.
• Commercial formats. Raw powder, pre-dispersed lipid concentrates, micronised powders, liposomal or nanoemulsion dispersions, cyclodextrin complexes, and advanced carriers such as protransfersome or transfersome systems.
• Supplier due diligence checklist. Request a lot-specific certificate of analysis with assay method and strength, impurity profile, accelerated stability data, oxidation acceptance criteria, particle size or dispersion data, recommended handling and storage, and sample material for early prototype testing.

Tip: prefer suppliers who provide dispersion samples in your intended phase (oil dispersion or pre-emulsified concentrate) to avoid surprises during scale up.

Formulation guidance and best practices

Below are practical, stepwise recommendations you can implement during development.

• Define claim intent and endpoints up front
  • Decide whether the priority is rapid antioxidant protection, wrinkle mitigation, barrier support, or sensory and aesthetic outcomes. Claims determine target tissue depth, use level, and validation plan.
• Select the CoQ10 form to match the claim
  • For rapid surface antioxidant activity use high potency lipid dispersions or encapsulated serums.
  • For long term matrix support consider stabilised ubiquinone complexes or encapsulated ubiquinol when supplier data confirm stability.
• Typical use levels
  • Market and literature data indicate practical finished formulation ranges from approximately 0.01 percent to 1 percent. Guidance by product type: eye products typically 0.01 to 0.05 percent, day lotions 0.1 to 0.5 percent, concentrated serums up to 1 percent. Validate functional endpoints in finished product rather than relying solely on percentage.
• Solubility and dispersion strategy
  • CoQ10 must be dissolved or dispersed in the oil phase. Use lipid carriers, cyclodextrin complexes, nanoemulsions, or liposomal delivery to enable lighter textures and better epidermal deposition.
• Manufacturing controls to minimise oxidation
  • Limit oxygen exposure and avoid prolonged high temperatures during manufacture. Practical rule: add CoQ10 below 50 degrees Celsius and cool the batch under inert gas if possible. Include tocopherol or other primary antioxidants to protect both CoQ10 and other labile actives.
• Colour and sensory management
  • CoQ10 imparts a yellow-orange tint at moderate to high concentrations. Use microencapsulation or reduced loading if a neutral color is required. Assess tint interactions with pigments and SPF systems in early prototypes.
• Preservative and antioxidant system checks
  • Polyphenol-rich and lipid-rich systems can affect preservative efficacy. Run preservative efficacy testing early and re-test after stability cycles. Optimise antioxidant blends to preserve both CoQ10 and other sensitive components.
• Packaging for stability
  • Use low-oxygen, opaque packaging such as airless pumps or amber bottles with minimal headspace. Include shelf life acceptance criteria for oxidised product markers in supplier agreements.
• Validation and clinical plan
  • For antioxidant claims, run short instrumented pilots with ex vivo or in vivo antioxidant assays and objective measures such as corneometry and TEWL. For anti-age claims plan a randomized, vehicle-controlled clinical study of 8 to 12 weeks with validated wrinkle metrics or profilometry.
• Scale and supply considerations
  • Factor in dispersion costs and additional stability work into early budgets. Advanced delivery systems increase costs but can reduce required CoQ10 loading and improve claim robustness.

Regulatory and safety notes

• CoQ10 is generally considered safe for topical cosmetic use when stabilised and formulated appropriately. Standard testing requirements apply: dermal irritation, sensitisation, phototoxicity when relevant, and preservative efficacy.
• If using cannabinoids or active botanicals in the same formula, review combined safety profiles and regulatory status in target markets.
• For oral plus topical positioning, avoid implying systemic health benefits from topical application without robust clinical evidence.

Claim Language

Use conservative, evidence-aligned claims such as:

• Helps replenish skin’s natural antioxidant levels.
• Helps reduce markers of oxidative stress in treated skin.
• Supports visible improvement in fine lines and skin smoothness with regular use.

Avoid therapeutic language unless you have clinical trials designed for medical claims and the relevant regulatory submissions.

Limitations and research gaps

• Head to head clinical comparisons of ubiquinone versus ubiquinol in finished cosmetic vehicles are limited. Efficacy depends heavily on formulation stability and delivery system.
• Systemic supplementation can complement topical use, but topical delivery is required for local epidermal effects.
• Advanced delivery systems such as protransfersomes can enhance penetration but increase development complexity and regulatory scrutiny.

References

• 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.
• Lain ET, Agrawal N, Ruvolo E, Weise JM, Callender VD. The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Opportunities for Topical Intervention: A Review. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. 2024.
• Žmitek K, Pogačnik T, Mervic L, et al. The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition. Biofactors. 2017.
• Ayunin Q, Miatmoko A, Soeratri W, et al. Improving the anti-ageing activity of coenzyme Q10 through protransfersome-loaded emulgel. Scientific Reports. 2022.
• Mao Z, Bakhsheshi S, et al. Additive enhancement of wound healing in diabetic mice by low level light and topical CoQ10. 2016.
• Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Safety Assessment of Ubiquinone Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. 2022.
• Yousif HA, et al. Preparation and Evaluation of Complexed Ubiquinone for topical serum development. 2024.