Skin Care Ingredient : Coenzyme Q10

There have been a sprout of skincare products touting to have beneficial Coenzyme Q10 for for the skin.

So what is exactly Coenzyme Q10?
Also known ubiquinone or CoQ10 in short, it is a vitamin-like compound that is present in all cells.
An antioxidant, it protects the cells from the damage caused by the free radicals in the body. Free radicals are produced during the normal process of producing energy, however, as we get older, the body starts producing too many of these free radicals. This can be damaging for people whose bodies are not producing enough CoQ10 and other antioxidants to control these.

Free radicals are the main culprits commonly implicated in causing skin aging. Oxygen and nitrogen free radicals are produced by cigarette smoking, environmental pollution, less than adequate nutrition, pesticides and other chemicals in the food, and most importantly, from the UV action upon the skin. When UV radiation interacts with the skin, it produces an excessive amount of free radicals which destroy collagen, elastin and other proteins in the skin.

As we get older, the amount of CoQ10 that the body produces decreases. Various external factors such as aging, stress and some medications can lower the levels of CoQ10 in the body.
As a result, the ability of cells to withstand stress and regenerate declines. Unfortunately, the levels of CoQ10 in the body almost inevitably decline with age. In fact, CoQ10 is regarded as one of the most accurate biomarkers of aging since its decline correlates so well with the aging process.

CoQ10-depleted skin may be more prone to the damage by free radicals, which are particularly abundant in the skin since it is exposed to the elements. Thus, CoQ10 may boost skin repair and regeneration and reduce free radical damage.

Studies have shown that Co-enzyme Q10 applied directly on the skin helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

After the age of 30-35 the body becomes less able to create enough co-enzyme Q10 to meet its energy needs. This is made worse by bad eating habits, stress, infection or certain drugs. Co-enzyme Q10 can significantly suppress the expression of collagenase, an enzyme which destroys collagen. In addition, it can penetrate the outer layers of the skin and exert antioxidant benefits deep in the dermis.


CoQ10 acts as a powerful free-radical scavenger, helping to guard against environmental damage known to cause fine lines and wrinkles, such as UVA and UVB radiation, cigarette smoke and air pollution.

It is important to keep in mind that products listing ubiquinone or CoQ10 among the ingredients must be stored properly in closed containers (air-tight pumps or capsules) and kept away from harsh light or direct sunlight.

Much like Vitamin C, CoQ10 can be rendered inactive by exposure to oxygen. Products containing CoQ10 are considered safe for all skin types; although anyone with a known sensitivity should avoid ubiquinone and its synthetic derivatives, idebenone or idebenol.

More information can be found here
Other studies found here
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