While idebenone has been known for a long time as a pharmaceutical agent, it has arrived to the realm of skin care only recently. In fact, some skin care companies claim it as a new, cutting-edge discovery. But, can it really benefit your skin?



In the 1970s and 1980s, researchers had been studying the potential of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), including its ability to improve heart failure, reduce free radical damage and slow down certain neurological conditions. CoQ10, a vitamin-like natural compound found in all aerobic organisms, plays an important role in cellular energy production and is also an effective antioxidant. Trying to boost CoQ10's therapeutic effects, scientists synthesized and tested a variety of its chemical analogs and derivatives. Most of these derivatives were found ineffective or unsafe. However, one of the few exceptions was idebenone.

It is closely related to CoQ10 in its structure. However, idebnone is more effective than CoQ10 in protecting cells from the free radical damage resulting from reduced blood flow.

What does all this have to do with skin care? Recently CoQ10 has been shown to improve skin wrinkles. Not surprisingly, some skin care companies decided that CoQ10 analogs might do a similar or better job. So, they found out that idebenone was also a good anti-wrinkle remedy.

It's important to realize that free radicals that form in the skin in response to the sun's ultraviolet rays are largely responsible for wrinkling and other signs of aging. To fight these damaging molecules, cosmetic chemists developed this topical antioxidant that's even more powerful than natural antioxidants such as vitamins C and E.

Results of a clinical trial were presented in February 2004 at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology. They wanted to find out which ingredient offered the best protection against free radicals. Well, it was idebenone that finished first against vitamin C, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, kinetin, and alpha-lipoic acid.

The benefits of this ingredient include shielding skin from environmental damage, improving the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and reducing dryness and smoothing skin texture.

Antioxidants help protect against the damage caused by free radicals in the environment. Free radicals are unstable compounds that occur naturally in the body and try to stabilize by attaching to the nearest normal cell. This results in a chain-reaction because once the free radical attaches to a healthy cell, it too becomes a free radical in search of stabilization causing cellular damage. Antioxidants, such as idebenone and others, stop this process by donating a molecule to the free radical making it stable.

But, you should know that although idebenone is thought of as a wrinkle reducer, it is more of a skin protector. It is a true antiaging phenomena because it blocks the causes of aging and treats its effects. For best results, use it in addition to a broad spectrum sunblock.

However, this all comes at a price. This wonderful ingredient is priced at up to $120 an ounce. As you know, nothing known to science will erase all signs of aging, but this formula helps with its ability to decrease collagen breakdown (which means less apparent wrinkles and lines) and reduce inflammation.

It's available in the following lotions :

-Prevage from Allergan.

-True Cosmetics Youth Revealing Complex.

-Radiance Revealing Complex.

-Revitol Anti Wrinkle Complex.

You can get these products containing idebenone from Dermatologists' or Plastic Surgeons' offices, Spas, Fine Salons, or online.

Your skin never had it so good!