Idebenone is closely related to co-enzyme CoQ-10 (ubiquinone) and is turning up in a variety of skin care products such as Priori and Prevage in various concentrations, both inconsequential and useful.
Understanding the Benefits of Antioxidants for Skin
The ability of an antioxidant to reduce the aging impact of the sun on skin can be scientifically measured by its ability to reduce the formation of sunburn cells.
Skin registers lasting sun damage on a daily basis, irrespective of the season and whether or not it appears outwardly burnt.
Indeed, its the invisible damage, produced primarily by UVA rays which penetrate the dermis, that do the most (and potentially lethal) damage.
No matter how high the SPF, sunscreens can unfortunately only block about half the damage the sun exacts.
Antioxidants are the other side of the equation.
Priori and Prevage (Idebenone), C E Ferulic and Protection
One per cent idebenone outperforms the same percentage of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and vitamin E (tocopherol) at around $220.00 per 30 mL (1 oz.) in tests that measure the reduction in formation of sunburn cells when human skin is placed under the oxidative stress of sun exposure.
Its been this comparison which has led many to believe that idebenone is now the antioxidant of choice.
While on the surface it may appear that idebenone is more effective than the traditionally used (and well-studied) antioxidants, its important to keep in mind that:
- in clinical settings vitamin C and E are not used at one percent;
- higher percentages of idebenone do not appear to increase its antioxidant potential.
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic for example utilizes a synergistic stabilized combination of vitamins C, E and ferulic acid (a botanical antioxidant) at 15%, 1% and 0.5% respectively.
Both vitamin C and vitamin E at these percentages individually reduce the formation of sunburn cells more effectively than idebenone alone.
Moreover vitamin C, E and ferulic acid formulated together are almost three times more effective than Idebenone alone at reducing sunburn cell formation:
Skinceuticals' C E Ferulic serum formula provides no less than eight times the skin's natural photoprotection:
The only means to achieving near-perfect sun protection and defense against skin cancer and signs of skin deterioration including textural changes, irregularity in colouring and the collagen degradation that leads to wrinkling is to make daily use of both a proven, potent, stable antioxidant and a true broad spectrum sunscreen — two things which are few and far between.
Further Information