Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): We Explain The Major Skin Care Benefits

Yet, many people are unaware of how this nutrient exactly works, and why it's so important. Here's our deep dive into the powerful properties of coenzyme Q10.

Fortunately, taking CoQ10 supplements can help support your natural levels. This is especially important if you're looking to fine-tune your beauty routine and improve your skin from the inside out. Besides, there's a reason this superstar ingredient has become increasingly popular in the wellness world. With growing awareness of internal skin health, more and more people are paying attention to the impact of cellular beauty.

While ingesting it can provide systemic affects, topical applications can improve the levels found in the skin cells. Research shows that applying it as part of a formulation significantly improved levels found in skin cells1—while also boosting the skin's free radical-fighting abilities. So if you're looking for skin care benefits, we recommend finding products as well.

As a powerful antioxidant and electron transporter, CoQ10 has been found to play a major role in healthy skin. Most research has focused on dietary supplements, but there's also evidence that topical application can be very beneficial, too. Let's look at how CoQ10 can elevate your skin health:

Enter the almighty CoQ10. Like other antioxidants, it neutralizes free radicals by generously donating an electron. It also protects against lipid peroxidation5, a process by which free radicals damage cell membranes. To top it off, CoQ10 protects the membranes of mitochondria and regenerates other antioxidants, like vitamins C and E—both of which are just as important for healthy skin. 

Normally, your skin uses antioxidants—like CoQ10—to defend itself from UV radiation. But as your levels decrease over time, replenishing them is key. Research6 has found that topical CoQ10 can significantly decrease facial wrinkles. Similarly, another study7 found that CoQ10 supplements reduce wrinkles and lines while enhancing skin smoothness. 

To support your skin cells' energy needs, fuel up on CoQ10. For starters, this gives mitochondria the tools they need to energize cells and repair damage due to stress, notes Mark. Secondly, as an antioxidant, it safeguards energy pathways by combating free radicals. How's that for double duty? 

On the flip side, "[Reducing] oxidative stress can accelerate wound healing," notes King—and there's some evidence that CoQ10 can do just that. In an animal study8, topical CoQ10 facilitated collagen formation and reduced inflammation during healing. "It does this by inhibiting enzymes that damage collagen via oxidative stress, [which] tilts the soft tissue in favor of collagen formation," says Mark. Another animal study9 found similar results, observing a link between faster wound healing and CoQ10 application. And though more human studies are necessary, CoQ10 is anecdotally reported to be a stellar treatment for wound management.

CoQ10 is available in topical products and as a dietary supplement.

In its topical form, CoQ10 is usually found in products like serums, eye creams, facial moisturizers, body products, and hand creams. It works well as a skin care topical as it is stable and plays well with other ingredients.

Certain antioxidants (ahem, vitamin C) are easily deactivated by other ingredients, the atmosphere, or simply by time—and so while they are beneficial in their own right, they may not be the most reliable ingredient for some formulations. For a bonus: look for formulations that also have other antioxidants, in tandem with CoQ10, as it can actually boost the free radical fighting abilities

If you're interested in taking CoQ10 supplements, look for a product that has been tested for purity and composition. This is usually indicated by a seal of approval on the packaging. You can also ask your primary care physician or dermatologist for a personal recommendation. 

CoQ10 is a potent antioxidant found naturally in our bodies but declines with age. It supports our mitochondrial function, aiding cellular energy. It also supports against oxidative damage. You can use the active in topical or supplement form.