CoQ10

A natural history

Coenzyme Q10 was discovered in 1957, isolated as a yellow compound from beef heart by a researcher at the University of Wisconsin. It was given the name ubiquinone because it is ubiquitous, present in nearly every living cell, where it sits inside the mitochondria and helps run the tiny engines that power the cell. Human skin makes its own supply.

The catch is that the body's store of this antioxidant slowly falls with age and with sun exposure, just as the first signs of aging begin to show. That simple observation, that skin runs low on one of its own protective molecules over time, is what made topical CoQ10 interesting to skincare in the first place.

What it does for your skin

CoQ10 is one of the skin's own antioxidants. In a foundational study, topically applied CoQ10 penetrated into the skin, was associated with reduced wrinkle depth, and helped limit ultraviolet driven oxidative stress in skin cells.^[1] Later formulation work found that pairing CoQ10 with a retinoid in a lipid carrier helped it distribute through the skin and reduce the look of wrinkles in testing.^[2] In a formula it works as a replenishing antioxidant that helps tired, mature looking skin appear smoother and more energized.

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