COENZYME Q10 - THE ANTIOXIDANT ESSENTIAL FOR AGE DEFENCE

Ageing is inevitable, and as we age our body’s ability to produce substances that support a youthful exterior begin to decline. Collagen is an important protein produced by the body that gives your skin structure and form, with production beginning to decrease in our mid twenties and approximately 1% declining every year following. Elastin is another important protein that provides skin with the ability to bounce back, giving your skin that supple appearance throughout youth. Generally, our bodies stop elastin production in our late teens, highlighting the importance of age defence from our 20s and beyond through healthy lifestyle choices and a skincare routine to match.

Aside from a healthy diet, consistent skincare routine and daily sun protection, one of the most effective forms of age defence when it comes to your skin is a serious boost of antioxidants. You may have heard that antioxidants are associated with carrying energy to our cells, preventing damage caused by environmental stress and delivering a brighter complexion. However, did you know they can also support the production of collagen to prevent premature ageing?

Coenzyme Q10 (AKA CoQ10 and Ubiquinone), has emerged as a standout ingredient in the world of skincare thanks to its potent antioxidant benefits. This naturally occurring antioxidant plays a crucial role in cellular energy production and is praised for its powerful antioxidant effects as a free radical scavenger, helping to neutralise and prevent damage caused by oxidative stress due to ageing.

When applied topically, CoQ10 assists in reducing the visible signs of ageing including fine lines, pigmentation and wrinkle depth. It also works synergistically with vitamin E to further protect cells from oxidative stress.

Impressive, right? Let’s take a closer look at the science and benefits of this potent antioxidant and how you can make the most of it through your diet and topical skincare products.

WHAT IS COENZYME Q10?

Coenzyme Q10 is a fat soluble compound found in every cell of the human body, essential for producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the source of energy needed for our cells to function and support turnover for brighter, youthful skin.  It also serves as a powerful antioxidant, protecting cells from oxidative stress caused by free radicals. 

SKIN BENEFITS OF COENZYME Q10 

Naturally occurring

The fact that CoQ10 is naturally occurring in the body makes it an ideal topical skincare ingredient, as our body is more likely to be accepting of what is familiar than foreign substances.

Age Defence Properties

One of the most celebrated benefits of CoQ10 is its potential to reduce and slow the appearance of aging. As we age, the skin's natural production of CoQ10 diminishes, leading to less efficient cellular energy production and increased oxidative damage. By replenishing CoQ10 levels topically or through diet, studies suggest that it may support age defence by supporting collagen production and improving elasticity and firmness.

Hydration Boost

We all know that hydrated skin is healthy skin, and CoQ10 plays an important role in maintaining skin hydration. CoQ10 has shown to help strengthen the skin barrier, which is crucial for retaining moisture and healthy skin function.

Brighter Skin

Antioxidants are well-known as nature’s skin brighteners, and CoQ10 is no exception. The antioxidant properties of CoQ10 may aid in brightening the skin by neutralising free radicals that contribute to hyperpigmentation and a dull, uneven skin tone. Regular use of natural skincare products formulated with CoQ10 may help to achieve a more radiant complexion.

Sun Damage Defence

Whilst nothing can replace your slip, slop, slap daily sun protection routine, CoQ10 can help to protect your skin at a molecular level from the damaging effects of UV exposure thanks to its potent antioxidant function.

Inflammation Soother

Some studies have shown that CoQ10 may help to reduce inflammation in the body and even improve cardiovascular health with ongoing supplement use. The anti-inflammatory properties found in CoQ10 make it an ideal skincare ingredient for sensitive and acne prone skin to help soothe and reduce redness.

HOW TO GET MORE COQ10 THROUGH DIET

At LAMAV, we embrace a holistic view of inner and outer beauty, understanding the delicate balance between the two. Focusing on health from the inside out is how we achieve healthy bodies and skin function. When it comes to CoQ10, most of our bodies make all that we need, however in some cases they don’t. If you want to boost your CoQ10 from the inside out, here are some foods to include in your diet to help increase your intake. 

Organ meats

In the body, CoQ10 is most concentrated in your vital organs, so it makes sense that animal organ meats will give you the highest amount of CoQ10 when attempting to boost through your diet. If you can stomach them, heart, livers and kidneys are a great source of CoQ10 along with iron, protein and other fat soluble vitamins.

Muscle Meats

Pork, beef and chicken meat is another way to increase your CoQ10 through food. 

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish such as herring, trout, salmon, mackerel, and sardines contain high levels of CoQ10 in addition to omega fatty acids that are also essential for age defence and skin health.

Legumes

Legumes such as Soybeans, Lentils and Peanuts are a valuable source of protein, healthy fats and CoQ10.

Vegetables

Along with skin-loving vitamins and minerals, many green leafy vegetables contain CoQ10. Broccoli is one vegetable that has high CoQ10 content and should be included in your weekly diet.

Nuts and Seeds

Sesame and pistachios deliver on CoQ10 along with protein and healthy fats to support overall skin health.

Supplements

If you believe you are low in CoQ10, oral supplements can also contribute to body and skin health. However, it's important to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.

HOW TO GET MORE COQ10 INTO YOUR SKINCARE

As the benefits of CoQ10 become more well-known, an increasing number of beauty brands are now choosing to include this hero ingredient in serums and moisturisers to deliver age defence through your daily skincare routine. 

Post double cleansing, follow our 3 step routine below to boost your CoEnzyme Q10 topically through your daily LAMAV skincare rituals.

LAMAV Hyaluronic Hydra-Max Serum

Our ultra-hydrating hero serum was specifically designed to deliver a powerful shield to lock in moisture and restore glow to lacklustre skin every morning. Containing CoEnzyme Q10, Hyaluronic Acid and Quandong to transform skin texture to appear plumper and more hydrated. Let’s take a closer look at how these carefully selected organic ingredients deliver visible age-defying results.

• CoEnzyme Q10 works hard to carry energy to our cells while neutralising and preventing damage caused by oxidative stress.
• Natural Hyaluronic Acid is a powerful humectant that binds to water in our cells, boosting hydration and plumping the skin.
• Quandong extract is a powerful native extract rich in fruit acids and antioxidants to support cellular turnover, skin healing and brightening.

LAMAV Hyaluronic Moisture Cream

Following our Hyaluronic Hydra-Max Serum, it’s time to lock in additional hydration and antioxidant protection with our Hyaluronic Moisture Cream. You’ll achieve seriously plump skin and enjoy the additional benefits of skin soothing Aloe Vera and Sandalwood Seed Oil for a calm, radiant complexion.

• CoEnzyme Q10 delivers on protecting the skin while topically reducing the visible signs of ageing, including fine lines, pigmentation and wrinkle depth.

• Natural Hyaluronic Acid has the impressive ability to hold 1000 times its weight in water, binding to water in the cells to replenish moisture to dry, dull skin. 

• Skin soothing Sandalwood Seed Oil contains a complex profile of omega fatty acids to strengthen and protect the skin’s barrier function, supporting hydration and age defence.

• Quandong and Emu Apple native extracts are rich in fruit acids and antioxidants, delivering anti-inflammatory and age defence benefits.

LAMAV Intense Repair Eye Balm

Tired Eyes? Dark Circles? Treat your under eyes to LAMAV’s intense repair eye balm and enjoy the benefits of this luxuriously rich eye balm as you get some shut eye. Formulated to hydrate, firm and visibly strengthen the delicate eye area, you’ll enjoy instant hydration that lasts.

• CoEnzyme Q10 works synergistically with Vitamin E to protect tired under eyes from further oxidative stress.
• Naturally rich in fatty acids, Mango Butter deeply nourishes the skin to combat inflammation.
• Sandalwood Seed Oil delivers on hydration, age defence and a serious hit of omega essential fatty acids.
• Bisabolol is a natural derivative of chamomile, providing calming and soothing benefits to red, tired underlies. Its rich antioxidant profile assists with brightening and protection from environmental damage that can lead to premature ageing.