What is Quercetin?
In a 2025 systematic review of 31 human intervention studies, plain quercetin aglycone was the reference form. Some formulations raised bioavailability well above it: a lecithin phytosome gave a 20.1-fold increase and a gamma-cyclodextrin complex gave a 10.8-fold increase.
What it does for skin
In a single-blind study of 30 healthy adults, a 1% quercetin phospholipid cream reduced UV-induced redness. Erythema fell 10.05% at 4 hours (P = 0.00329), compared with 14.05% for a positive control.
The same study found topical quercetin reduced water loss in patch-based irritation tests, and it raised hydration in some of them. These were induced-stress tests, not clinical skin conditions.
What the research shows
The review found that adding dietary fats and fibre increased bioavailability about two-fold.
The topical study had a short follow-up of up to 24 hours and 30 volunteers aged 18 to 65. Three authors are employees of Indena, the product’s manufacturer, and one is a consultant to Indena.
Forms, amounts and limits
The topical study applied the cream at 2 mg per square centimetre.
Human oral skin doses are not established in the sources reviewed.
Safety
In a 2024 study, hairless mice exposed to UV three times a week and fed quercetin at 100 mg/kg a day had shorter times to their second and third tumours, and their tumour growth accelerated. The authors conclude that quercetin may have co-carcinogenic properties under UV exposure.
The authors could not detect quercetin in skin by mass spectrometry imaging, so the mechanism is unexplained. Possible effects of the feed colourants could not be ruled out.
These are mouse results. They are a reason for caution with oral quercetin and sun exposure, and they should be discussed with a clinician.
Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting any supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or take medicines.
Questions
Does oral quercetin protect skin from UV?
Not shown. In a 2024 mouse study, oral quercetin increased UV-induced tumours. We found no human oral study showing UV protection.
Does a quercetin cream help skin?
A 1% topical cream reduced redness and water loss in a 30-person study with induced skin stress. It was short-term and did not study people with skin conditions.
Sources
- Liu et al. 2025, Food Chemistry: improving quercetin bioavailability (31 human studies) (opens in a new tab)
- Topical quercetin phytosome study in 30 adults, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology (opens in a new tab)
- Pihl et al. 2024: oral quercetin and fisetin in UV-exposed hairless mice (opens in a new tab)
General information, not medical advice. Vanu Health does not sell this supplement. Read our terms.