Our newly released Anti aging Facial Serum contains an ingredient that you may have heard of; Coenzyme Q10 (Q10). Hailed as a saviour for the aging skin, we dug deep into the clinical research to see if this so-called super ingredient actually practiced what it preached..
But first, here’s a short anatomy and physiology lesson about the skin and two of the main causes of skin aging:
The skin; the largest organ in the human body, is in direct contact with the environment and is, therefore, exposed to external stress factors such as sun and pollutants on a daily basis. To combat resulting damages, skin cells are constantly involved in tissue regeneration and repair, processes that require a high amount of energy and a well regulated cellular metabolism.
With increasing age, however, energy production as well as mitochondrial activity declines, (mitochondria are the little powerhouses within cells that give the cell energy). As a consequence, cell and tissue functions are impaired and visible “structural alterations” occur, (aka lines and wrinkles).
This is one of the main causes of skin aging; a decrease in energy production within the skin cell.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals also represent predominant causes of damage to skin cells, caused by UV exposure, air pollutants, stress and cigarette smoking - just to name a few. ROS and free radicals damage skin cells and its internal DNA, making it one of the other leading causes of skin aging.
Therefore, there are two important points of action in order to strengthen the skin in the fight against aging. First, maintenance of cellular energy levels to stop the decline of mitochondrial activity and, second, antioxidant protection against ROS and free radical damage.
Enter, Coenzyme Q10 (Q10).
Q10 is an important coenzyme that is present in all human cells. It was originally shown to be a necessary component of the workings of the mitochondria and is therefore crucial for the energy production process of the human body.
Moreover, Q10 is widely accepted for its strong antioxidant capacity. A recent study in mice showed that loss of Q10 levels lead to a gradual loss of mitochondrial function and a shortened lifespan of the mice. This however was reversible when Q10 levels were partially restored, underlining the importance of Q10 for proper function of the entire organism.
Another controlled, randomized study was carried out on 73 healthy, non-smoking, female volunteers between the ages of 20–66 years. Each volunteer was to apply Q10 to their skin twice daily, (morning and night) for 14 days. After 14 days of treatment, their Q10 levels were assessed.
According to this study, topical application of the formulas increased Q10 levels not only on the skin surface but also within the epidermis.
In summary, the study concluded that topically applied Q10 can penetrate the skin, is metabolically transformed, has an antioxidant effect, and can support the maintenance of cellular energy levels within the mitochondria. These effects are not only beneficial for the aged population suffering from a Q10 deficit, but also to replenish the Q10 level in skin in the younger generation too.
And the exciting news is that Coenzyme Q10 is one of the main ingredients in our Anti aging Facial Serum! This serum is not only hydrating and nourishing to the skin, but it will help improve and prevent fine lines and wrinkles caused by free radical damage, and a decrease in energy production within the cell.
Check it out here:
The above information was sourced from here:
Knott, A., Achterberg, V., Smuda, C., Mielke, H., Sperling, G., Dunckelmann, K., Vogelsang, A., Krüger, A., Schwengler, H., Behtash, M., Kristof, S., Diekmann, H., Eisenberg, T., Berroth, A., Hildebrand, J., Siegner, R., Winnefeld, M., Teuber, F., Fey, S., Möbius, J., … Blatt, T. (2015). Topical treatment with coenzyme Q10-containing formulas improves skin's Q10 level and provides antioxidative effects. BioFactors (Oxford, England), 41(6), 383–390. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1239