Everything you need to know about Coenzyme Q10.

The coenzyme Q10 is referenced according to the INCI nomenclature under the name "ubiquinone". Its history is not very old, as it was first discovered in 1958 in beef heart by Frederick CRANE, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin. The role of Co-Q10 in energy production by mitochondria was revealed in 1978 by British researcher Peter MITCHELL, who also received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for this discovery. He demonstrated that it acts as a transporter of electrons and protons at the level of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This molecule is naturally present in the cells of the human body, as well as in a variety of foods such as meat, eggs, dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

Chemically, it consists of a "head", the benzoquinone, connected to a "tail" made up of 10 isoprene units, hence the name Q10. The term cofactor that precedes it refers to the three mitochondrial enzymes (complexes I, II, and III). Regarding its molecular structure, it resembles vitamins K and E. Its molecular weight is 863 g/mole.

In skincare, co-enzyme Q10 is utilized for its potentantioxidant power: it prevents the oxidation of skin lipids and aids in protection against UV effects. It is derived from bacterial fermentation using corn seeds (Zea mays L.) followed by a drying stage, then extraction and separation by silica gel chromatography. The compound is then purified to be safely incorporated into a cosmetic formula.

The coenzyme Q10 acts on various biological factors to ensure smooth and even skin for as long as possible:

• As an antioxidant, it combats skin aging caused by the frequent assaults of free radicals.

  The coenzyme Q10 operates on two levels to combat oxidative stress: it reduces the production of free radicals and it regenerates vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant present in the body. To recall, free radicals are reactive oxygen species naturally produced by the body. However, when cells are faced with a stress, they produce them excessively. The sources of stress are numerous, the main ones being exposure to UVA, pollution, smoking, a diet too rich in fats and/or sugars. Free radicals are particularly unstable molecules due to their single electron. They tend to react with other molecules to form an electron pair, and thus cause damage to cells, DNA, and proteins in the body. Aging is thus accelerated and wrinkles appear on the skin's surface. Coenzyme Q10 donates electrons to free radicals, stabilizing them and thus preventing them from causing harm and accelerating the natural aging of the epidermis.

• It slows down the skin's sagging and the appearance of wrinkles.

  Collagen and elastin are fibrous proteins that make up the connective tissue found in the dermis, the deep layer of the skin. They provide the firmness and elasticity of the epidermis. However, with age, their synthesis slows down and their content decreases: the skin loosens and wrinkles deepen. At the level of dermal fibroblasts, the coenzyme Q10 acts by reducing the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), enzymes responsible for the degradation of collagen and elastin.

• The coenzyme Q10 diminishes the appearance of pigmentation spots.

  The appearance of brown spots is linked to several factors: the natural aging of the skin, exposure to external aggressions such as pollution and UV rays, the intake of certain medications, hormonal fluctuations. As a reminder, hyperpigmentation is defined as a disruption in the pigmentation process: the melanin, the pigment responsible for the natural coloration of the skin, is overproduced in certain areas, leading to the appearance of brown, red, or pink spots that can sometimes be unsightly. Studies have shown that coenzyme Q10 inhibits the activity of tyrosinase and the production of melanin in B16F10 melanoma cells.