Beauty Cheat Sheet: All About CoQ10

If you’re a fan of bright, bouncy skin, you need to know about CoQ10. This amazing antioxidant that can help even skin tone, reduce sun damage, and improve skin hydration. Below, we breakdown all of CoQ10’s beautifying benefits and explain how to use it in your everyday skincare routine. 

WHAT IS CoQ10?

Also known as ubiquinone, CoQ10 (short for coenzyme Q10) is an enzyme that our bodies produce naturally. It aids in cell growth and maintenance (great!) but production diminishes as we age (not so great).

CoQ10 depletion affects the skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin, two essential proteins for firm, healthy, younger-looking skin. The results aren’t pretty (think: wrinkles, sagging, and other visible signs of aging).

Luckily, topical formulas with CoQ10 have been shown to replenish levels lost in the skin due to aging and stress. Look for CoQ10 in toners, moisturizers, and eye creams to energize the skin and help prevent premature aging. 

BENEFITS OF CoQ10 FOR SKIN

If you have skin, you can benefit from using products with CoQ10! No matter your age, your skin needs the building blocks necessary to repair itself and function properly. Here are the top benefits of this anti-aging powerhouse:

• Energizes skin cells: Part of CoQ10’s magic is that it aids in cell activity. By keeping skin cells active and energized, CoQ10 helps skin cells rid themselves of toxins and make better use of nutrients. 


• Evens skin tone: CoQ10 can help fade and prevent dark spots by working to block tyrosinase activity and melanin production. Simply put: It can help create a visibly smoother, brighter complexion. 


• Reduces sun damage: It’s no secret that our skin can be damaged by the sun’s harmful UV rays. CoQ10’s potent antioxidant properties help protect skin at the molecular level by fighting against free radicals from sun exposure that cause damage.  


• Protects skin from oxidative stress: Oxidative stress (aka your skin’s worst enemy) occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. This can cause inflammation, collagen breakdown, and impaired skin cell function. 

CoQ10 is known to help the skin repair itself, which means skincare products with CoQ10 can help minimize fine lines and wrinkles to keep skin looking young and beautiful. This study found that CoQ10 applied directly to the skin reduced oxidative damage and even reduced the depth of wrinkles.

• Replenishes skin cells: Skincare products that contain CoQ10 primarily help replenish the levels of it in the top layers of skin, and may also allow your skin cells to utilize other nutrients more efficiently (like Vitamin C and retinol — more on this below). 


• Stimulates collagen and elastin production: By helping the body produce collagen and elastin, CoQ10 works to restore the skin’s elasticity for a firmer, more youthful appearance. Goodbye, fine lines! 


• Helps soothe skin: CoQ10 soothes skin by flushing out toxins and helping your cells remove other irritants. 


• May support healing: There is some evidence that topical CoQ10 can facilitate collagen formation and reduce inflammation to accelerate wound healing. More human studies are necessary, but another animal study found similar results. 


• Improves overall complexion: Higher levels of CoQ10 allow your skin to repair and regenerate faster, which means products with CoQ10 could be the key to your most radiant complexion yet. 

HOW TO USE CoQ10 IN YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

Most CoQ10 products are formulated to help reduce damage caused by free radicals and UV rays to keep skin looking younger, smoother, and wrinkle-free.

Who should use it: Since CoQ10 is a substance that is naturally present in the body, it is generally safe for most anyone to use.

How often you can use it: CoQ10 can be used during your morning and evening skincare routines. Apply CoQ10 products after cleansing and before any serums or moisturizers.

Where to find it: Look for CoQ10 in facial toners, moisturizers, eye creams, body creams and lotions. 

OTHER INGREDIENTS THAT PAIR WELL WITH CoQ10

Maintain your youthful complexion by pairing CoQ10 with these key ingredients:

Vitamin C

Like CoQ10, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can minimize the negative effects of free radicals, fight off lines and wrinkles, get rid of dark spots, and brighten your overall complexion. #dreamteam

For more on the role of Vitamin C in skin care, check out this article. 

Retinol

This vitamin A derivative is considered to be one of the top anti-aging ingredients in the skincare world. It works to stimulate the production of collagen, encourage cell turnover, fade pigmentation, soften wrinkles, and can even help fight acne.

Retinol is also known to help break down fat-soluble CoQ10, which means it can be absorbed faster to deliver even more effective results. 

Aloe vera 

Known for its soothing and moisturizing properties, aloe vera is a skin-loving beauty botanical that helps keep skin radiant and youthful. It can help revive and nourish skin by delivering deep hydration without irritation. 

Hyaluronic acid 

Hyaluronic acid reigns supreme in the skincare world for its *almost* magical ability to retain moisture (except it’s not magic — it’s science!).

Ready to give CoQ10 a try? Check out the HDB CollagenR8® Restorative CoQ10 Facial Toner. This nourishing toner is formulated with our anti-aging trifecta: CoQ10 to energize cellular metabolism and stimulate collagen production while aloe vera and hyaluronic acid provide non-greasy moisture and deep, lasting hydration.