Coenzyme Q10: An Underrated Skin Care Ingredient

As we all know, there are many ways of skin aging, including oxidation, photodamage, abnormal pigmentation, etc. Antioxidation is a very important way to prevent skin aging.

In terms of exogenous sources, light irradiation of skin cells will induce the production of free radicals, causing damage, so antioxidants are very important.

Endogenously, cells produce energy and a large amount of free radicals in their mitochondria. If these free radicals cannot be removed in time, they will damage cell membranes, proteins, DNA, etc., leading to cell damage or even death, thereby accelerating aging.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoenzymeQ10, CoQ10) is an important antioxidant that is essential for the electron respiratory chain (Peter D. Mitchell won the 1978 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering the relationship between Coenzyme Q10 and bioenergy metabolism), Also extremely important for scavenging free radicals.

As a natural nutrient, Coenzyme Q10 (CoenzymeQ10, CoQ10) is widely present, especially in the heart, pancreas, liver, and kidneys. It is very important for maintaining the normal functions of various organs. For the skin, it has antioxidant, improve mitochondrial function, and maintain It has multiple functions such as repairing the epidermis, inhibiting melanin synthesis (whitening), promoting collagen synthesis, reducing collagen damage, and alleviating photodamage. It is a very mild, safe, efficient, and multifunctional skin care ingredient. But in recent years, this excellent ingredient seems to have been underestimated by the skin care industry.

The skin care effects of Coenzyme Q10

Antioxidation and improvement of mitochondrial function: Research by KeikoMuta-Takada et al. shows that Coenzyme Q10 can prevent cell death induced by reactive oxygen free radicals and promote the synthesis of basement membrane components in epidermal and dermal cells. Coenzyme Q10 can reverse the signs of senescent cells cultured in vitro [6]. Research by López, L. C. and others found that only Coenzyme Q10 can enhance mitochondrial respiratory function and increase ATP production. Its derivatives (such as CoQ2, etc.) or vitamin C cannot achieve the same effect, indicating that Coenzyme Q10 has a negative impact on mitochondria. Functional effects are specific.

Improve the dermis and increase the vitality of fibroblasts: Whether the dermis is plump or not depends on the main cells of the dermis - fibroblasts. This includes not only its quantity, but also its vitality, ability to secrete collagen, elastic fibers, etc., as well as enzymes that degrade collagen (especially matrix metalloproteinases, or MMP-1). An animal experiment [7] showed that the number of fibroblasts in the dermis of mice significantly increased after 2 weeks of external application of nanolipid carriers containing Coenzyme Q10 (Table 1).

Table 1 Effects of different dosage forms of coenzyme Q10 on mouse dermal fibroblasts

Research by RenbinZhao et al. has shown that Coenzyme Q10 can promote the expression of elastic fibers and type IV collagen in fibroblasts, promote the vitality of fibroblasts, and reduce the production of MMP-1 and inflammatory factor IL-1a by keratinocytes induced by ultraviolet rays, suggesting that Coenzyme Q10 It can both reduce exogenous photoaging and inhibit endogenous aging.

MarcheggianiF. et al constructed an aging human dermal fibroblast model. After adding coenzyme Q10, some indicators related to cellular aging were successfully reversed.

Repair and maintain the epidermis: Jisue Kim et al. used an in vitro constructed human skin model (human skin equivalent, HSE) to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q10 on the skin. It was found that as the concentration of coenzyme Q10 increased, the number and thickness of epidermal cells per unit area and the expression of filaggrin increased (this suggests that Q10 helps repair and maintain the skin barrier, Figure 1).

Figure 1 Epidermal thickness of human skin in vitro model treated with different concentrations of coenzyme Q10 for different periods of time 

Inhibit melanin synthesis: Melanin synthesis is affected by factors such as light and endocrine (especially α-melanocyte stimulating hormone, α-MSH). Hseu, Y. C. et al. first treated mouse B16 melanocytes and immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) with Coenzyme Q10 for 24 hours, then irradiated the cells with UVA, and then conducted detection. Coenzyme Q10 was found to reduce the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by UVA and inhibit the production of α-MSH in HaCaT cells (Figure 2). Correspondingly, the synthesis of tyrosinase is inhibited (we have already talked about the relationship between tyrosinase and melanin synthesis in previous articles. In further experiments, α-MSH and coenzyme Q10 to B16 melanin were added at the same time. cells, it was found that the effect of α-MSH can also be inhibited to a certain extent, thereby reducing melanin synthesis. Zebrafish experiments also proved that melanin synthesis is effectively inhibited by coenzyme Q10 (Figure 3).

Figure 2  Coenzyme Q10 significantly inhibits α-MSH production by immortalized human keratinocytes (HaCaT) 

Figure 3  Coenzyme Q10 inhibits melanin synthesis in zebrafish (shown in red box)

Renbin Zhao et al. used coenzyme Q10 to treat B16 melanocytes and found a similar effect.

Photoprotective effect on skin: Haiyou Wu et al.’s research on mice found that coenzyme Q10 can prevent UVB damage to the skin. Its mechanism includes: preventing the loss of SOD (superoxide dismutase) and glutathione peroxidase, and inhibiting MMP-1 activity. German scholar Daniel Schniertshauer et al. irradiated fibroblasts with ultraviolet light to damage mitochondrial function and reduce ATP production. They treated them with coenzyme Q10 and found that coenzyme Q10 can help fibroblasts restore ATP production (Figure 4). This effect is through protection Mitochondria and antioxidants, research also suggests that the further effects of coenzyme Q10 may depend on its induction of a DNA repair enzyme.

Figure 4  After UV irradiation of human fibroblasts, coenzyme Q10 can restore their ATP levels to normal. 

S. Prahl et al. irradiated skin coated with Coenzyme Q10 under UV rays for 7 days, then isolated and examined keratinocytes and found that MMP-1 was significantly reduced, indicating that Coenzyme Q10 has a protective effect on UV damage. Dong-Woo Kim et al. irradiated mouse skin with UVB and treated it with CoQ10, and found that it can increase superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The increase of these two enzymes can alleviate UVB Resulting oxidative stress.

Bryan Fuller et al. used ultraviolet irradiation of human dermal fibroblasts to induce the production of a variety of inflammatory factors (such as IL-6, PGE-2, IL-1) and MMP-1. CoQ10 can inhibit these effects, thus affecting the cells. Protective effects. CoQ10 combined with carotenoids works together to inhibit inflammation better (Figure 5).

Figure 5  CoQ10 inhibits UV-induced production of PGE-2 (prostaglandin E-2) in human dermal fibroblasts, and the effect is further enhanced when combined with carotenoids 

M. Inui et al. found in cell experiments that coenzyme Q10 can inhibit UVB-induced keratinocytes from producing the inflammatory factor IL-6 (this factor can cause fibroblasts to secrete more MMP-1, and MMP-1 can break down collagen). And then inhibit the production of MMP-1. A three-month human trial showed that topical application can reduce eye wrinkles.

Benefits of taking Coenzyme Q10 orally for the skin

In addition to external use, taking Coenzyme Q10 internally also has many health benefits and is often used for heart care. However, studies have found that it can also improve skin, which is surprising:)

Katja Žmitek et al. also conducted a double-blind randomized controlled study (RCT). 33 volunteers completed a 12-week trial and took Coenzyme Q10 50mg (low-dose group) and 150mg (high-dose group) daily. The skin was tested. According to the changes, it was found that wrinkles and fine lines were significantly improved, and the skin smoothness/fineness was improved (Figure 6), but it had no obvious effect on skin moisture and dermal thickness.

Figure 6  Changes in eye wrinkles in two 60-year-old volunteers before and after oral administration of Coenzyme Q10 (0-12 weeks) 

Summary

1. Coenzyme Q10 is a widely existing nutrient that can be synthesized by the human body itself, but will continue to decrease with aging and light exposure. It plays an extremely important and indispensable role in bioenergy metabolism. The discovery of the cellular respiratory chain and its relationship with coenzyme Q10 won the 1978 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

2. Research confirms: Coenzyme Q10 is an important anti-aging and whitening substance with multiple potentials, including: antioxidant, increasing cell ATP production, reducing oxidative stress damage, preventing ultraviolet damage, preventing photoaging, and increasing collagen. And elastin synthesis, reduce collagen loss/decomposition, inhibit melanin synthesis, anti-inflammatory, etc. However, it may be less used in skin care products in recent years because of its higher price and yellow color.

3. Clinical studies show that both external and internal use of Coenzyme Q10 can improve skin quality, make the skin more delicate and elastic, and make wrinkles lighter.

4. Beiersdorf has been researching Coenzyme Q10 for more than 20 years. Its Nivea Fresh Small Q bottle adds high-purity food-grade Coenzyme Q10, compounded with creatine and vitamin E acetate, to synergistically resist oxidation and anti-aging. , according to experience, skin changes can be seen in 4 weeks. Friends who have rough, dull, sagging skin or are worried about these problems can consider using it.

Video source:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-LU1HBfins&t=148s (Creator:Molecular Makeup )

Green Spring coenzyme q10 specification：10%,20%,40% CoQ10 (Water-soluble);and 98%-101% CoQ10 (Oil/fat-soluble).

Coenzyme Q10（CoQ10） manufacturers and suppliers!

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