Tier 3 — preclinical

The effect of dietary intake of coenzyme Q10 on skin parameters and condition: Results of a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Katja Žmitek, Tina Pogačnik, Liljana Mervic, Janko Žmitek, Igor Pravst
BioFactors 2017 43(1):132-140

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 27548886
DOI
10.1002/biof.1316
Funding
Not reported in the accessible PubMed abstract.
Competing interests
Not reported in the accessible PubMed abstract.

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
ModelHealthy adult human volunteers
Sample33 participants
InterventionWater-soluble CoQ10 (Q10Vital) 50 mg/day or 150 mg/day versus placebo
Duration12 weeks
EndpointsSkin viscoelasticity; Wrinkles and microrelief; Skin smoothness; Skin hydration; Dermal thickness; Minimal erythema dose

What the study showed, in plain terms

In 33 healthy adults, 12 weeks of 50 or 150 mg/day water-soluble CoQ10 improved some wrinkle, microrelief and skin-smoothness measures. It did not significantly improve skin hydration, dermal thickness or UV erythema threshold.

Key findings

The trial found selected cosmetic skin-aging signals rather than broad structural skin changes. The evidence supports a small human signal for oral CoQ10 and visible skin parameters, not a proven anti-aging skin treatment.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Very small sample, healthy participants, short follow-up, cosmetic surrogate outcomes and use of a specific water-soluble formulation limit generalizability.

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Last verified

Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology