The INCI Decoder:
Ubiquinone, CoQ10, Coenzyme Q10

Understanding Antioxidants

You often hear about antioxidants, but do you really know what that means?

By definition, the more we age, the more likely we are to get wrinkles. As we age, we lose collagen and hyaluronic acid — two key factors in skin firmness and hydration. But have you noticed how two people of the same age can look very different?

If you smoke, spend a lot of time in the sun, or don’t protect your skin, you’ll likely age faster. The more you expose your skin to the sun without protection, the more quickly wrinkles will appear.

Wrinkles aren’t just caused by sun exposure or pollution — they also arise from internal processes. Even your metabolism creates free radicals that attack cells, break down collagen, and accelerate visible signs of aging.

The role of hormones and how Q10 can help

"Ican tell within 30 seconds if a woman in her sixties has been on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also known as menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) or not—her skin says it all."

French Dermatologist's Insight

Hormones are a key internal factor in how the skin ages. As estrogen levels drop, the skin becomes thinner, less elastic, and more fragile - causing deeper wrinkles. These internal changes combine with external damage to form the perfect storm for premature aging.

That’s where antioxidants come in. They neutralize free radicals and slow down skin aging.

A few resources for HRT :
 - The New Menopause, Dr Mary Claire Haiver @drmaryclaire, ed. Rodale 2024 - Oestrogen Matters, Dr Avrum Bluming, @estrogen_matters, ed Piatkus 2024 - The Drive, a podcast on longevity by @peterattiamd

Meet Your Body’s Superhero: Coenzyme CoQ10 

Superheroes Antioxidants have special powers to fight bad guys and save the day. Well, guess what? You have a team of tiny superheroes living right inside you.

One of the most powerful is Coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10 for short.

CoQ10 is a vitamin-like substance found in every cell of your body. Its first job is to help convert the food you eat into the energy your body needs to function, from your heart beating to your skin renewing itself. But CoQ10 has another incredible power! It's also a potent antioxidant.

Your body converts ubiquinone (its common form) into a more active form called ubiquinol. This is the “superhero” version of CoQ10 that helps neutralize free radicals.

Boosting Your Antioxidant Defense: Inside & Out (Q10)

This is the best part! You can power up your antioxidant superheroes from the  inside out—by eating healthy foods and taking supplements—and from the outside in, with skincare that includes CoQ10 and Vitamin E!

The Three-Part Plan to Getting More Antioxidants: Food, Supplements, and Skincare

Is It Possible to Restore CoQ10 Levels in Skin? 

Yes, absolutely — and here’s the good news: it is possible to restore Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in your skin!

A2015 scientific study by Knott A. demonstrated that applying CoQ10 through skincare products such as serums, moisturizers, or lotions can effectively replenish these levels. Here are a few highlights of this study:

• Replenished CoQ10 reserves on the surface of the skin as well as in deeper layers;

• Increased cellular energy metabolism;

• Boosted its antioxidant capacity.

These findings confirm that applying CoQ10 directly to the skin is a proven way to restore its levels and counteract the effects of aging and environmental stress.

More recently, other studies like (ET Lain et al., 2024) confirmed that “Aging and stressed skin are, in part, the result of alterations in cellular metabolic homeostasis, which can be reversed via the benefits of topical application of CoQ10-enriched formulations that stimulate cutaneous energy metabolism and reduce free radicals via antioxidant function“. Here is the link to this study:  The Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Aging and Photoaging (ET Lain et al., 2024)