Idebenone — Allergy Risk & Safety Profile
INCI: IDEBENONE
Key Facts
- CAS Number
- 58186-27-9
- Category
- antioxidant
- Risk Level
- low
- Common Allergen
- No
- Found In
- anti-aging serum
Is Idebenone safe in cosmetics?
Idebenone is rated low risk in cosmetic products. It is not classified as a common allergen and is generally well-tolerated by most skin types. Commonly found in anti-aging serum.
What is Idebenone?
Synthetic antioxidant more potent than CoQ10. Protects against environmental damage.
Allergy & Safety Information
Idebenone is considered safe for cosmetic use at typical concentrations.
This ingredient is considered low risk from an allergenicity perspective. Reactions are uncommon at typical cosmetic use concentrations. However, no ingredient is universally safe — if you notice redness, itching, or irritation after using a product containing this ingredient, discontinue use and monitor whether symptoms resolve.
About Antioxidant Ingredients
Antioxidants neutralise free radicals generated by UV radiation, pollution, and metabolic processes, preventing oxidative damage to skin cells and the product formula itself. Common cosmetic antioxidants include tocopherol (vitamin E), ascorbic acid (vitamin C), BHT, and plant-derived polyphenols.
Relevance for Idebenone: Most antioxidants are well-tolerated, but some — particularly propyl gallate, BHA (butylhydroxyanisole), and certain plant-derived polyphenols — are recognised contact allergens. Vitamin E (tocopherol) allergy, while uncommon, is occasionally identified in patch testing.
How to Identify Idebenone in Products
Cosmetic ingredients are listed by their INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name in descending order of concentration. To check whether a product contains Idebenone, scan the ingredient list for its INCI name exactly as it appears above. Ingredients present at 1% or less may appear in any order after the 1% threshold.
Product types to prioritise checking: Anti-aging serum. These product categories are the most common sources of Idebenone exposure based on formulation data.
Not sure if your products contain Idebenone? Paste the ingredient list into the free ingredient checker to scan for Idebenone and other allergens automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Idebenone safe for sensitive skin?
Idebenone is generally well-tolerated, even by sensitive skin.
What products contain Idebenone?
Idebenone is commonly found in anti-aging serum.
What does Idebenone do in cosmetics?
Idebenone functions as a antioxidant in formulations.
Related Guides
Is Idebenone causing YOUR skin reactions?
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