The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Opportunities for Topical Intervention: A Review

Abstract

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a naturally produced, lipid-soluble molecule crucial for cellular energy production and antioxidant activity. It diminishes with age and under external stress factors in skin, leading to signs of aging. Beyond its role in cellular energy production within the mitochondria, CoQ10 is vital to skin's defense against oxidative stress, a key contributor to premature aging. Use of topical skincare products with CoQ10 can be effective to replenish levels of CoQ10 and reverse skin aging.

Objective: This publication discusses the role of CoQ10 in skin aging along with the benefits of topical skincare products that incorporate CoQ10 as an ingredient.

Methods: We searched the PubMed database using terms "Coenzyme Q10" and "skin" and "aging." Overall, the search yielded 80 results, but a limitation of 10 years was then applied to restrict publications to those with the most up-to-date science.

Results: A total of 36 publications were identified and included as background for this article. These 36 publications encompassed both original research articles and review articles.

Discussion: Applying topical skincare products with CoQ10 replenishes CoQ10 cellular levels, helping to normalize cellular energy homeostasis and providing antioxidative effects to support and repair cutaneous damage including signs of skin aging. In ex vivo and in vivo studies, application of CoQ10 increased CoQ10 levels both on the skin surface (i.e., stratum corneum) and even more in deeper levels of the skin. Clinically, topical application of CoQ10-formulated products reduces the depth of cutaneous wrinkles, a sign associated with aging.

Conclusion: Aging and stressed skin are, in part, the result of alterations in cellular metabolic homeostasis, which can be reversed via the benefits of topical application of CoQ10-enriched formulations that stimulate cutaneous energy metabolism and reduce free radicals via antioxidant function. By restoring physiological homeostasis, topical skincare products with CoQ10 replenish the skin's antioxidant levels, increase cellular (energy) metabolism, and reduce the signs of skin aging.

Keywords: Coenzyme Q10; aging; antioxidants; homeostasis; over-the-counter; skincare.

FIGURE 1.

Effect of stressors on skin functions. Impacted functions include structure (matrix and adnexa), skin barrier function, melanocytes including hyperpigmentation, biochemical immune and cellular defenses, neuroendocrine delivery, and thermoregulation. Adapted and used with permission from Bravo et al.

FIGURE 2.

Structure of CoQ10

FIGURE 3.

Age-dependent decline in CoQ10 levels in skin. Used with permission from Knott et al.

FIGURE 4.

Impact of aging on CoQ10 cellular function in metabolic homeostasis

FIGURE 5.

Role of diminished CoQ10 level on biological aging of skin cells

FIGURE 6.

UVA-induced chemiluminescence. Box plots of differences to baseline T0, photon counts. The dot (•) corresponds to the mean values for control sites, the (x) indicate sites treated with CoQ10 lotion. The line inside the box (-) corresponds to the median. * p<0.0001 when compared with T0. Data on File Beiersdorf Study Report STDR-071541C.

FIGURE 7.

Decrease in wrinkles and roughness after exogenous CoQ10 topical application. Data on File Study Report STDR-072057C.

FIGURE 8.

Illustrates the décolletage images at baseline (T0), 2 weeks (T1) and at 4 weeks (T2). Arrows show the areas of improvement. Data on File, Study Report STDR-077530C.