CoQ10 as a skin antioxidant and energizer

The processes of aging and photo-aging are associated with an increase in cellular oxidation. This may be in part due to a decline in the levels of the endogenous cellular antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone, CoQ10). Therefore, the authors of the study “Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer” investigated whether topical application of CoQ10 has the beneficial effect of preventing photo-aging. (See below for authors and Journal information).

The authors were able to demonstrate that CoQ10 penetrated into the viable layers of the epidermis and actually reduced the level of oxidation measured by weak photon emission. Furthermore, a reduction in wrinkle depth following CoQ10 application was also shown. CoQ10 was determined to be effective against UVA mediated oxidative stress in human keratinocytes in terms of thiol depletion, activation of specific phosphotyrosine kinases and prevention of oxidative DNA damage.

CoQ10 was also able to significantly suppress the expression of collagenase in human dermal fibroblasts following UVA irradiation. These results indicate that CoQ10 has the efficacy to prevent many of the detrimental effects of photo aging.

Title: Coenzyme Q10, a cutaneous antioxidant and energizer. Authors: Hoppe, U Bergemann, J Diembeck, W Ennen, J Gohla, S Harris, I Jacob, J Kielholz, J Mei, W Pollet, D Schachtschabel, D Sauermann, G Schreiner, V Stab, F Steckel, F Journal: Biofactors. 1999; 9(2-4): 371-8 0951-6433