ldebenone Improves Skin Health And Fights Photoagin

As we age, our skin is more likely to exhibit the effects of photoaging, which produces negative changes in skin color, texture, and health caused by cumulative exposure to ultraviolet light. New findings suggest that antioxidant rich, high-energy compounds may help defend against the effects of photoaging. Free radicals damage not only proteins and DNA, but also the skin's surface lipids.

Made up of a complex mixture of sebum ,an oily substance produced by the sebaceous glands, and small amounts of epidermal lipids, these surface lipids provide the body's outermost protection against oxidative damage. The best nutrient found up until now to increase natural output is CoQ10. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ1O) is a fat- soluble antioxidant that helps prevent free-radical damage to the skin's surface lipids. CoQ1O concentrations in skin and declines significantly as we age. The loss of this protective nutrient is a likely cause of the increased incidences of skin diseases and photoaging and wrinkled skin seen in aging adults.

An eight-year Italian study found a direct link between CoQ10 levels and the progression of melanoma, the deadliest of skin cancers. Not only were CoQ1O concentrations in people with melanoma lower than in healthy subjects. In patients whose cancer spread to other tissues they found CoQ1O levels below those of the metastasis-free subgroup. Clearly, CoQ1O is an important protective nutrient for aging skin.

Recognizing the importance of CoQ1O in skin health, scientists searched for related compounds that can confer even greater benefits to the skin. This search led to idebenone, a nutritional cousin, or analogue, of CoQlO. Since idebenone is a smaller molecule than CoQ10, it is better suited to penetrating the skin, where it can confer important protective effects. In addition to that idebenone increases nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. Idebenone is a powerful antioxidant and positively affects brain chemistry.

Idebenone has been shown to produce clinically visible improvements in photodamaged skin. In a study of 41 female subjects aged 30-65, applying idebenone to the face in the morning and evening for six weeks reduced skin roughness and dryness by 26%, and decreased fine lines and wrinkles by 29%. The subjects also exhibited a 37% increase in skin hydration and a 33% overall improvement in assessment for photodamaged skin. These improvements were primarily seen in the epidermis, though there was some increase in dermal collagen as well. Skin biopsies revealed decreased levels of an inflammatory protein, a change associated with the stimulation of collagen production. Topically applied idebenone thus improves numerous markers of skin health while reducing the visible signs of aging.

Idebenone may protect the skin through its potent antioxidant effects. One research team studied various antioxidants to gauge their protective effects against oxidative stress. They found that idebenone was the most effective antioxidant studied, providing more protection than CoQ1O, vitamin F, kinetin, vitamin C, orlipoic acid. This antioxidant quality allows idebenone to inhibit lipid peroxidation, thus protecting skin cell lipids and membranes.

Topical use of idebenone represents an important step forward in scientifically based skin care. Through its antioxidant effects, idebenone helps protect skin from the effects of oxidative stress and photoaging, restoring moisture, refining texture, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and promoting a more youthful appearance.

[tags]idebenone. coq10, remove wrinkles, aging skin[/tags]