Do you want to plump and firm your tired, fatigued skin? Here we discuss coenzyme Q10 benefits for skin and what makes this ingredient a valuable addition to your daily skincare cocktail.
But before we delve into why you might what to add a coenzyme Q10 skin cream to your next beauty haul, let’s take a moment to understand some basic skin science.
Getting under your skin
Your skin is made of layers of cells supported by a dense network of elastic tissues and fibres. The appearance of your skin can change when these fibres are damaged or get disrupted in some way.
Maintaining a youthful, glowing complexion relies on your cells constantly repairing and renewing. The problem is, as you get older, this cell regeneration process gets more difficult. Collagen production becomes sluggish and it generally gets harder for your cells to repair and renew.
As a result, you might start to notice variations to your skin texture and tone. And you’ll find some changes don’t go away as easily as they used to. For example, wrinkles appear because as you age, your skin becomes less elastic. As a result, your tissues lose their springiness and it becomes harder for your skin’s tissue structure to bounce back. Gradually, the grooves caused by repeated facial expressions become more permanent lines.
However, using skincare that reinvigorates cell renewal can help. That’s where coenzyme Q10 enters the spotlight.
What is coenzyme Q10?
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, or more formally, ubiquinone) is an antioxidant that the body produces naturally. It exists in every cell and has a number of important roles in supporting skin health. Unfortunately, it’s a coenzyme that your body makes less of as you age.
As the CoQ10 in your cells reduces, you may notice changes in the appearance of your skin. For example, the cell regeneration process slows down, which can cause skin to appear duller. And to make matters worse, signs of aging can become more apparent and skin is also more prone to damage. Topping up your CoQ10 can help support the healthy function of your skin, increasing firmness and refreshing your complexion.
How does coenzyme Q10 work?
Coenzyme Q10 is often in skincare products such as toners, gels, and creams. But what does coenzyme Q10 do for the skin?
Firstly, it invigorates cell activity. This extra energy helps get rid of toxins, repairs the signs of damage, and generally contributes to maintaining healthy skin cells. In short, it helps your skin perform its functions as efficiently as possible.
Secondly, it supports the production of collagen and elastin. Collagen keeps your complexion firm and plump. Elastin gives your skin elasticity. Together they provide skin with strength and structure. By spurring on cell activity, coenzyme Q10 helps maintain a healthy supply of new collagen and elastin.
Thirdly, it helps fight off free radicals. Free radicals attack elastin and collagen causing them to lose shape. As an antioxidant, coenzyme Q10 helps to shield your skin cells from this oxidative stress and allows toxins to be flushed out more efficiently. This limits the harm they cause and aids the healing of any damage.
Coenzyme Q10 benefits to skin
So, why is coenzyme Q10 good for skin? An injection of CoQ10 energy, empowers your skin cells to perform basic functions better. This can lead to healthier skin that shows up in a number of visible benefits on the surface.
Radiance
As you age, adding CoQ10 to your skincare routine enables skin cells to repair and regenerate more efficiently. As a result, a dull and tired complexion can get a radiance boost.
Firming
Due to a healthy production of new collagen, your skin appears firmer and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles can also reduce.
More even skin tone
Excess production of melanin can cause dark spots and patches of hyperpigmentation to form. CoQ10 has been reported to inhibit the production of tyrosinase – a substance that facilitates the production of melanin. As a result, coenzyme Q10 skincare can limit the worsening of these changes in skin tone.
Skin soothing
As an antioxidant, CoQ10 helps to shield your skin from irritants and damage from external factors.
Summary: Coenzyme Q10 uses
There are lots of potential health benefits associated with topping up your levels of CoQ10. In this post, we focused on what it can do to benefit your skin.
Nowadays, we’re making more informed and responsible choices when selecting skincare. This has led to a trend for creating a daily skincare cocktail using single-ingredient products. A coenzyme Q10 serum works well in this more consciously curated approach to skincare.
Last updated: 5 October 2020
Sources
1 https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/wrinkles/symptoms-causes/syc-20354927
2 https://www.byrdie.com/coq10-skincare-benefits
3 https://www.byrdie.com/coq10-skincare-benefits
4 https://www.mitoq.com/blog/blog/how-does-coenzyme-q10-help-to-make-skin-look-younger
5 https://www.nivea.co.uk/advice/skin/what-is-q10-233
6 https://www.byrdie.com/coq10-skincare-benefits
7 https://www.byrdie.com/coq10-skincare-benefits
