ubiquinone

Ubiquinone at a Glance

• Also known as coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10
• Occurs naturally in the body
• Has antioxidant, skin-soothing, and anti-ageing properties
• Can impart a yellow colour to skin care products

Ubiquinone Description

Ubiquinone is also (and perhaps more popularly) known as coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10. It is a vitamin-like, fat-soluble substance naturally present in the body. Applied to skin, it can have antioxidant benefits due to its energising effect on factors in skin that tend to slow down with age and cumulative sun exposure.

There are also studies showing that environmental factors deplete the presence of ubiquinone in the skin. Topical application has been shown to have skin-soothing effects and recent research suggests its inclusion in skin care products can have a noticeable impact on the visible signs of ageing.

Since ubiquinone is a large molecule, it is not known to penetrate past the uppermost layers of skin; however, this is what’s believed to help make it so effective in its role of thwarting visible effects of environmental damage.

Its effective usage level in skin is typically between 0.02–0.05%. Amounts of 1% or more tend to impart a strong yellow colour to skin care formulas, as its natural colour ranges from orange to dark red. It is considered non-irritating as used in cosmetics.

Ubiquinone References

Free Radical Biology and Medicine, March 2021, pages 282-288
Biofactors, November-December 2015, pages 383-390; Volume 32, 2008, pages 245-255; and Volume 25, 2005, pages 179-185
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, March 2006, issue 1, pages 30–38
Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2005, issue 4, pages 12–13
Journal of Dermatological Science, August 2001, Supplement, pages 1–4
https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Ubiquinone.pdf