BUTTER-C
Signature ingredients
Coenzyme Q10 cream OEM/ODM manufacturing
Coenzyme Q10 Cream · OEM/ODM
Coenzyme Q10, listed on labels as Ubiquinone, is an oil-soluble quinone found in cell membranes: it takes part in the energy-producing chain of the mitochondria and is one of the body's own antioxidants, and its level declines with age in many tissues, skin included. A study measuring on human skin found that after a CoQ10-containing formula was applied, levels of the substance rose on the skin surface and in the deeper layers of the epidermis; that study came from the R&D department of a cosmetics company, and human data on wrinkles remain limited. The chemistry is more certain: CoQ10 is practically insoluble in water, melts at about 50–52 °C and is broken down by UV light when unprotected, so the quality of a CoQ10 cream is decided by its oil phase, the antioxidant that accompanies it and its packaging. The Butter-C coenzyme Q10 cream conditions the skin and carries the antioxidant CoQ10 in a cream base built to keep ubiquinone stable to the end of its shelf life. Coenzyme Q10 is not currently stocked at the plant, so it is sourced per order, with a COA stating the ubiquinone form and content. Butter-C offers turnkey OEM/ODM manufacturing, from formula development and testing to labeled finished goods and the notification dossier.
Formula base
Oil-in-water emulsion with CoQ10 in the oil phase
Ubiquinone is extremely oil-loving, so an oil-in-water cream is the natural format for it. Moisturizing comes from the humectants and emollients of the cream base; because it contains water, the formula needs a preservative system confirmed by a challenge test.
Coenzyme Q10 in the oil phase
Ubiquinone is practically insoluble in water (XLogP 19.4 per PubChem) and melts at about 50–52 °C, so it is fully dissolved in the warmed oil phase before emulsification. The clinical study that states a concentration used a 1% CoQ10 cream (Inui et al., 2008); that is a tested level, and the product's concentration is set on the finished product, with a content that must still be measurable at the end of shelf life.
Emollients: dissolving CoQ10 and affecting penetration
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane, shea butter. On excised human skin (ex vivo), a hydrophilic cream with 10% 2-ethylhexyl laurate delivered more CoQ10 into the viable epidermis than a lecithin microemulsion (Tessema et al., 2020), so the emollients of the cream base matter, and nano-systems are not automatically better than a conventional cream.
Vitamin E alongside CoQ10
Tocopherol or Tocopheryl Acetate in the oil phase. In a laboratory test under UVC light, nanocapsules containing vitamin E acetate (1–3%) protected CoQ10 from photodegradation, with more protection at higher vitamin E acetate levels (Pegoraro et al., 2018). A conventional cream is a different system from nanocapsules, so this is a direction only; real stability is checked by stability testing.
Humectants, emulsifiers and preservation
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate; Glyceryl Stearate with PEG-100 Stearate and Cetearyl Alcohol, or Cetearyl Olivate for a PEG-free version; Phenoxyethanol up to 1% (ASEAN Annex VI, Ref 29) with Ethylhexylglycerin; Disodium EDTA.
Key technical points
Four points specific to a cream named after coenzyme Q10
The moisturizing cream base is covered on the general page; the four items below center on the ubiquinone raw material itself.
Ubiquinone is not ubiquinol
CoQ10 exists in two forms: ubiquinone (oxidized) and ubiquinol (reduced). In cultured fibroblasts, cells took up ubiquinol better at the same concentration (Marcheggiani et al., 2021, with co-authors from a company), but ubiquinol is regarded as the less stable form (Temova Rakuša et al., 2021). Cosmetics usually use ubiquinone; the label names the form stated on the COA, and a "ubiquinone" content claim requires both forms to be assayed.
Light and oxidation–reduction
CoQ10 is broken down by UVC light when not encapsulated (Pegoraro et al., 2018). A survey of 11 oral products (dietary supplements and medicines) found total CoQ10 at 82–166% of the declared amount, with ubiquinone degraded and/or reduced in almost all products, including at room temperature; in soft capsules, vitamin C reduced ubiquinone to ubiquinol (Temova Rakuša et al., 2021). These are oral-product data and must be extrapolated to creams with care, but they are enough for Butter-C to choose light-blocking packaging, assay by HPLC over time and not put vitamin C in the same jar without a stability test.
Dissolving at the right temperature
The oil phase is warmed above the melting point of CoQ10 (about 50–52 °C) and stirred until fully dissolved before emulsification; prolonged heating is avoided. Undissolved particles are checked by microscopy on samples (formulation practice). For a low-oil gel cream, a supplier's water-dispersible CoQ10 can be used; the percentage in the formula is then that of the preparation, and the label lists every INCI name in it.
Human data: read the design correctly
A 1% CoQ10 cream used for 5 months lowered dermatologist-graded wrinkle scores (Inui et al., 2008); the abstract states neither sample size nor a control group, and the first author is from a pharmaceutical company. The study measuring levels in skin (Knott et al., 2015) was carried out by the R&D department of a cosmetics company, and its abstract gives no sample size. A recent randomized split-face trial used a gel combining niacinamide with CoQ10, so the role of CoQ10 alone cannot be separated (Zafar et al., 2026). For these reasons this page does not use those results as claims for the product.
Three formulation directions
Three types of coenzyme Q10 cream
Daily CoQ10 cream for normal skin
Ubiquinone with Tocopherol in a medium cream with glycerin and squalane; spreads quickly, fragrance-free. The coenzyme Q10 article on our site suggests morning and evening use, with sunscreen in the morning.
Rich CoQ10 cream for dry skin
Adds shea butter, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol; a richer cream for dry seasons and air-conditioned rooms. A larger oil phase makes CoQ10 easier to dissolve but calls for closer checks on emulsion stability.
CoQ10 gel cream for oily skin
Low oil level, thickened with Carbomer or Xanthan Gum; CoQ10 dissolved in a small amount of oil or used in a pre-dispersed form. A dry-touch texture suited to hot, humid climates; the amount of CoQ10 it can carry depends on the oil level and is confirmed by assay.
Packaging is designed with the formula
Aluminum tubes or dark airless jars and pump bottles limit light and air; a jar opened many times needs stricter stability and challenge testing. Clear bottles and jars do not suit CoQ10 unless an outer carton blocks the light.
Parameters we monitor
What our R&D lab measures on every sample
Below are the parameters Butter-C monitors during formula development and scale-up to production. Specific limits are agreed with you on the approved sample and then written into the product's in-house specification.
- Appearance & color
- Color, odor, smoothness; color change is tracked at each stability time point as an early sign of change in the active or the oil phase.
- pH
- Measured at 25°C; kept within the stable range of the chosen emulsifier and preservative systems (the sources we checked give no pH data specific to CoQ10).
- Viscosity
- Rotational viscometer at 25°C; governs pumpability and how the cream spreads on the face.
- Emulsion stability
- Centrifugation, freeze–thaw cycling, storage at 40°C; watch for separation and oil bleeding.
- Coenzyme Q10 content
- Ubiquinone, ubiquinol and total CoQ10 assayed by HPLC-UV at the start and after each stability time point, the basis for any content claim and for setting shelf life.
- Light exposure in the actual pack
- Stability under light in the tube or jar that will be used; CoQ10 content compared with a light-protected sample.
- Incoming raw materials
- COA checked for every lot: INCI name Ubiquinone, CAS 303-98-0, content and form (ubiquinone or ubiquinol; powder or a pre-dispersed preparation with all INCI names).
- Microbiology & preservative challenge
- Tested at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; preservative efficacy (challenge) test per ISO 11930.
- Irritation & sensitization
- Volunteer testing before the formula is finalized; we found no CIR assessment of ubiquinone in the sources checked, so testing the complete formula is mandatory.
Claims
Skin-conditioning and antioxidant claims, within cosmetic scope
Data on CoQ10 and wrinkles or cellular energy come mainly from cell studies or company studies that do not state sample sizes, which is not enough for product claims. Butter-C reviews the wording on the label and marketing materials as soon as the notification dossier is prepared.
Conditions the skin, helps it feel soft and smooth
This comes from the moisturizing cream base; hydration figures are stated only after measurement on the finished product. Instead of: skin rejuvenation, reversing aging.
Contains coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant
A description of the ingredient, with the correct INCI name Ubiquinone. Instead of: "boosts cellular energy", "restores mitochondria", "fixes DNA".
Antioxidant, helps protect skin from environmental stress
At a cosmetic level; figures are stated only when measured on the finished product. Instead of: sun protection, a substitute for sunscreen.
Helps skin look smoother and more hydrated
Stated only after assessment on the finished product against a plain base. Instead of: wrinkle reduction, anti-aging or anti-wrinkle claims based on studies of other formulas.
Content on the label
A ubiquinone percentage is stated only if it can be measured at the end of shelf life. Instead of: an undefined "high-concentration CoQ10"; naming "ubiquinol" when the raw material is ubiquinone.
Label reminders
Store in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and close tightly after use; use sunscreen during the day; test on a small area of skin before use and stop if redness or burning occurs; pregnant or breastfeeding women should ask a doctor (no data specific to topical use). Do not state "non-irritating".
Manufacturing specifications
Our capabilities
- Texture
- Medium cream, rich cream, gel cream; color depends on the raw material and the CoQ10 level.
- Pack formats
- Aluminum tube, dark jar or airless pump bottle. Volume agreed when selecting packaging.
- Coenzyme Q10 sourcing
- Not stocked at the plant; sourced per order, as a powder or a pre-dispersed form chosen from technical data and the formula direction.
- Minimum order quantity
- Agreed per order, depending on the raw material form, formula direction and pack format.
- Testing
- Performed at a GLP / ISO 17025-accredited laboratory; certificate of analysis delivered with every lot.
- Documentation
- Product Information File (PIF) and cosmetic product notification dossier prepared by Butter-C, with the coenzyme Q10 COA and ubiquinone assay results.
- Packaging
- Label design, printing and packing run in parallel with formula development.
Suggested product concept
Fragrance-free coenzyme Q10 cream for normal to dry skin
A product direction to help you picture the concept, not a ready-made product for sale. The actual formula is developed to fit your brand's positioning and price range.
Ubiquinone, Tocopherol
CoQ10 behind the product name, fully dissolved in the oil phase; vitamin E alongside it in the oil phase.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Squalane
Oil-phase solvent and emollients for a silky feel on the face.
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate
Hold moisture in the stratum corneum, the main basis for a skin-conditioning claim.
30 ml aluminum tube, fragrance-free
Blocks light and limits air; label with correct INCI names and a reminder to keep away from sunlight.
Customization options
What you can specify
The same product type can be aimed at very different customers. Tell us your requirements in the areas below and our pharmacists will develop a matching formula.
Raw material form
Ubiquinone powder dissolved in the oil phase or a pre-dispersed form; the level is fixed by assay on the finished product.
Texture
Medium cream, rich cream for dry skin or gel cream for oily skin.
Supporting ingredients
Vitamin E, Panthenol, Niacinamide; vitamin C only after a stability test with CoQ10. Choose a few, not many.
Fragrance
We recommend fragrance-free; if fragranced, fragrance allergens are declared according to the target market.
Ingredient positioning
PEG-free, silicone-free; any positioning must keep enough oil phase to dissolve CoQ10.
Packaging
Aluminum tube, jar or airless pump bottle, which sets the level of protection from light and air.
Further reading
Related knowledge
Coenzyme Q10 in cosmetics
Antioxidant mechanism, the actual level of evidence, solubility, light stability and how to word claims (in Vietnamese).
Moisturizing cream OEM/ODM manufacturing
The general page on moisturizing cream bases: three ingredient groups and three textures.
Night cream OEM/ODM manufacturing
Rich night creams and how to keep light-sensitive actives stable in the jar.
Vitamin E (tocopherol) in cosmetics
Tocopherol and tocopheryl acetate, the antioxidants that accompany CoQ10 in the oil phase (in Vietnamese).
Resveratrol serum OEM/ODM manufacturing
Another antioxidant active in this range, also light-sensitive and poorly water-soluble, needing co-solvents, a carrier system or an oil phase.
Light and the skin
Why daytime sunscreen is still needed when using antioxidant products (in Vietnamese).
How we work
From idea to finished batch
Eight steps and three milestones signed off by both sides: approved sample, notification number, finished batch. Step-by-step details (in Vietnamese) →
Get started
Tell us about the product you plan to launch
Send us your product direction and expected volume. Our team will get back to you during business hours (Vietnam time, GMT+7).
Head office: Huu Le village, Dai Thanh commune, Hanoi · Factory: Thanh Oai Industrial Cluster, Binh Minh commune, Hanoi, Vietnam
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