Fight Skin Aging with CoQ10

Coenzyme Q10 (known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone) is a naturally occurring molecule that is quite beneficial in cosmetics for healthy skin. This vitamin like substance is responsible for converting nutrients into energy at the basic, fundamental cellular level. Its role in the skin care industry is relatively new, but CoQ10 has been a valuable treatment for general health and nutrition for many years. Traditionally, CoQ10 has been useful in the treatment of mitochondrial disorders, migraine headaches, heart failure, some forms of cancer, and blood pressure regulation. In recent studies, CoQ10 has been found to be effective in treating skin aging.

CoQ10 is located in nearly every cell in the body and has a direct correlation with the aging process. Early in life the levels of CoQ10 are higher, but then steadily decline with age. They reach a maximum level in the body in the middle 20’s and decrease with increasing age. Once over the age of 30 years, CoQ10 levels in the skin are below optimal which results in lower amounts of collagen, elastin, and other important skin molecules. This type of skin has a lower defense against aging and other damaging factors.

At the cellular level, CoQ10 helps generate energy for the body and acts as an antioxidant. The antioxidant role is to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. These free radicals are a major cause of aging in the skin. Older skin with lower levels of CoQ10 may be even more prone to damage by free radicals. Topical application of CoQ10 may increase the skin’s regeneration and repair, and reduce damage from free radicals.

Recent research suggests that CoQ10 applied topically helps to protect the skin from photoaging, or skin aging caused by exposure to ultraviolet light. CoQ10 protects skin cells called keratinocytes from oxidative DNA damage induced by UVA radiation from the sun. Some users have also noticed a reduction in the depth of wrinkles with regular CoQ10 use. Overall, CoQ10 helps to protect the skin from oxidative damage and promote younger looking skin.

Many consumers want skin care products containing natural ingredients. Just as prescription drugs can be delivered through our skin via a patch - other body care products are also absorbed by the skin. When using products made with chemical preservatives, these chemicals may be absorbed into the body. The body will absorb all natural ingredients when using organic and natural products. In fact, one study found that the natural CoQ10 derived from yeast was absorbed better than the synthetic form.

One exciting newer study finds CoQ10 a useful antioxidant for the prevention and treatment of melanoma. In the study, higher levels of CoQ10 correlated with less frequent metastasis in melanoma patients. When CoQ10 was added to the chemotherapy treatment, recurrence rates of melanoma were also lowered.

The role of CoQ10 in the skin care industry is relatively new, but it has been valuable for general health and nutrition for many years. Traditionally, CoQ10 has been useful in the treatment of migraine headaches, heart disease, cardiac arrest, cancer, and blood pressure regulation. In more recent studies, CoQ10 has been found to be effective in treating skin aging, and preventing melanoma. Topical application of CoQ10 provides antioxidant protection for the skin from aging and environmental stresses.