The ingredient, explained
Ubiquinone
Also called coenzyme Q10, this ingredient has been studied topically for skin uptake and antioxidant measurements.
Ingredient guide
What it is and what it does
2‚5-Cyclohexadiene-1‚4-dione, 2--3‚7,11‚15‚19‚23‚27‚31‚35‚39-decamethyl-2‚6,10‚14‚18‚22‚26‚30‚34‚38-tetracontadecaenyl--5‚6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-, -all-E--
About this ingredient: EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗
- Antioxidant
- Limits oxidation, including deterioration of formulation ingredients. This label alone does not show a clinical antioxidant effect in skin.
- Skin conditioning
- A broad cosmetic role for maintaining skin condition. It does not identify a particular clinical benefit.
Function definitions: European Commission ingredient function definitions (SCCNFP/0299/00, pages 16 to 20) ↗
Registry functions describe possible formulation roles, not results for a finished product. A dictionary entry is not an approval or a safety assessment.
A closer look
What the research shows
Laboratory and human research
A two-week study in 73 women compared two Q10 formulas with untreated forearm skin. Both increased epidermal quinone levels; a 16-person subgroup with elevated oxidative-stress measurements also showed changes in antioxidant markers.
What this does not tell us
The comparator was untreated skin, so the contribution of the cream and serum bases cannot be separated. This industry-associated study measured biochemical endpoints, not wrinkle reduction, and does not establish visible anti-ageing effects.
Sources for this summary. PubMed 26648450 ↗
Research review checked Sep 30, 2026
Selected primary sources were reviewed for the existing research brief on 30 September 2026, with exact ingredient, route and combination limitations recorded. This was a bounded editorial review, not a systematic search.
Ingredient research is not proof that a product containing this ingredient works.
Read the 1 selected study
Laboratory and human research · n=73
Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin's Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. ↗
BioFactors · 2015
Follow the formula
Products containing this ingredient
From the wider catalogue. Linked by the ingredient list, without an efficacy ranking.
Names and identifiers
Registry identity
2‚5-Cyclohexadiene-1‚4-dione, 2--3‚7,11‚15‚19‚23‚27‚31‚35‚39-decamethyl-2‚6,10‚14‚18‚22‚26‚30‚34‚38-tetracontadecaenyl--5‚6-dimethoxy-3-methyl-, -all-E--
- INCI name on ingredient lists
- UBIQUINONE
- CAS registry number
- 303-98-0, 1339-63-5, 60684-33-5
- EC number
- 206-147-9 / 215-668-0
Other recorded names (3)
- coenzyme q10
- coq10
- Ubidecarenone [INN:JAN]
Sources for this ingredient record
- EU CosIng ingredient registry (via Open Beauty Facts taxonomy) ↗ · ODbL 1.0 (Open Beauty Facts database) · Recorded Aug 8, 2026