From the Guidelines
Ubiquinone is beneficial for skin health due to its antioxidant properties and role in cellular energy production. It functions as a powerful antioxidant that can help protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals and environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution 1. When applied topically in concentrations of 0.5-1% in creams or serums, ubiquinone may help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin hydration, and enhance overall skin texture. For best results, apply ubiquinone-containing products once or twice daily after cleansing and before moisturizing. The benefits stem from ubiquinone's role in cellular energy production and its ability to neutralize harmful free radicals that contribute to skin aging, as noted in the espen micronutrient guideline 1.
Some key points to consider when using ubiquinone for skin health include:
- Topical application provides direct benefits to the skin
- Oral supplementation (typically 100-200mg daily) may also support skin health from within, though results may take 4-12 weeks to become noticeable
- Our natural CoQ10 levels decline with age, making supplementation potentially more beneficial for mature skin
- Supplementation with CoQ10 appears to be safe with only few observed side effects, such as gastrointestinal effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia 1
Overall, the use of ubiquinone for skin health is supported by its antioxidant properties and role in cellular energy production, making it a beneficial supplement for maintaining healthy skin.
From the Research
Benefits of Ubiquinone for Skin
- Ubiquinone, also known as coenzyme Q10, is a lipid-soluble antioxidant that plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and has antioxidant effects 2, 3, 4, 5.
- Topical treatment with ubiquinone-containing formulas has been shown to improve skin's Q10 level, augment cellular energy metabolism, and provide antioxidant effects 2.
- Ubiquinone has been found to penetrate into the viable layers of the epidermis, reduce the level of oxidation, and decrease wrinkle depth 3.
- The antioxidant properties of ubiquinone make it beneficial for preventing photoaging and reducing the detrimental effects of oxidative stress on the skin 3, 5.
- Ubiquinone supplementation has been shown to counteract CoQ10 deprivation and rescue the development of selected senescence/ageing markers in human dermal fibroblasts 4.
Mechanisms of Action
- Ubiquinone acts as a pro-oxidant in its ubisemiquinone state, but it is also believed to be a membrane antioxidant 6.
- The reduced form of ubiquinone, ubiquinol, has been found to be more bioavailable and effective in improving cellular oxidative status and reverting the expression of the senescent phenotype 4.
- Ubiquinone has been shown to regulate membrane fluidity, recycle radical forms of vitamin C and E, and protect membrane phospholipids against peroxidation 5.
Anti-Aging Effects
- Ubiquinone has been found to have anti-ageing effects, including reducing wrinkle depth, improving skin elasticity, and preventing photoaging 3, 4.
- The anti-ageing effects of ubiquinone are thought to be due to its ability to improve cellular energy metabolism, reduce oxidative stress, and prevent the degradation of collagen and elastin 3, 4.