🧪 Ingredient Spotlight: CoQ10

You may know Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as a supplement, but did you know it also has a role in skin?

CoQ10 is naturally produced by the body and is involved in mitochondrial energy production while also acting as an antioxidant, helping cells defend against oxidative stress. Levels in the skin appear to decline with age and environmental stressors such as UV exposure.

But what happens when we take it orally vs. apply it topically?

💊 Taken orally:
CoQ10 is absorbed through the digestive system and works systemically. Research specifically looking at skin is still fairly limited, but one small 12-week study found that supplementation was associated with improvements in skin smoothness and some measures of wrinkles, although it did not significantly improve hydration or dermal thickness.

🧴 Applied topically:
CoQ10 can act more locally within the skin. Studies have shown that topical formulations can increase CoQ10 levels in the epidermis, support cellular energy metabolism and strengthen the skin's antioxidant defenses. Some clinical research has also reported improvements in the appearance of wrinkles.

The interesting part? The same ingredient may support the skin through very different pathways depending on how it’s delivered.

Have you come across CoQ10 more often in supplements or skincare?