Skingredient Focus: What Is CoQ10 or CoEnzyme Q10?

CoQ10, otherwise known as CoEnzyme Q10 or ubiquinone, is a skingredient that is popping up more and more... but what is it and what does it do? 

What is CoQ10 or CoEnzyme Q10?

CoQ10 is an antioxidant that is essential for our cells to have energy. Why do our skin cells need energy? Well, because it is cellular energy that feeds skin metabolism.

If our skin's energy drops and its metabolism slows, our rate of cell renewal is also slower meaning that our skin is not exfoliating like it should - all aboard the dullness train! 

As hoomans, we actually make CoQ10 ourselves. However, like all the good stuff our skin does itself (eg. making collagen & hyaluronic acid), the production slows down dramatically as we age.  

Because of this, applying CoQ10 topically, such as the Dermastir Co-Enzyme Q10 Serum Twisters, can help to protect our skin from the effects of accelerated ageing and stimulate the skin to renew itself. Can we get a big 'wehoo'?! 

What does CoQ10 or CoEnzyme Q10 do?

So, how does topical CoQ10 help us to look as young as we feel?

It tackles free radical damage 

As an antioxidant, CoQ10 neutralises the free radicals that can cause damage to the DNA, proteins and cell membrane of your skin cells amongst other things. It is this damage, as accelerated by the amount of free radicals released by pollution and the sun, for example, that causes our skin to age faster than it otherwise would.

CoQ10 works as a shield to protect our skin from this damage! 

It can inhibit the enzyme that causes collagen to break down 

It is an enzyme known as collagenase that degrades our skin's collagen. When we can inhibit this, it means a lower likelihood of wrinkles and lines forming or worsening, hence why CoQ10 is such a powerhouse anti-ageing skingredient especially when used in conjunction with others such as vitamin A and hyaluronic acid. 

How can you add CoQ10 or CoEnzyme Q10 to your routine? 

Dermastir Co-Enzyme Q10 Twisters are an easy-peasy way to get CoQ10 into your routine and right now, until the 31st of July, they're only €18 for a supply of 30 single-use capsules! 

The same goes for their Eye & Lip Contour Twisters and their Retinol Twisters!