I am so excited to share with you a super ingredient that I now use on a daily basis. The orange powder made my skin hydrated, moisturised, brighter and just… healthy. It is obtained from corn starch (there are lots of animal-based CoQ10, but I chose a plant-originated), and is suitable for ALL skin types. Now let’s get a bit technical.
What is Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is naturally found in every cell of the human body and is essential for generating energy in cells. Ageing and stress slow down the CoQ10 creation process, and our supplies diminish with time. Being one of the most fundamental antioxidants, it fulfils the skin's basic functions such as regeneration and repair.
Skin benefits of CoQ10
Slathering on CoQ10 is the way to experience a healthy, strong skin. This gentle, yet powerful antioxidant has been shown to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, stimulating skin cell repair, lessening sun damage and hyperpigmentation and retaining skin moisture.
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Provides skin cells energy for regeneration
Your cells need CoQ10 to produce energy, which is then needed to repair damage and make sure the skin cells are healthy. Active skin cells get rid of toxins easily and can make better use of nutrients. When your skin ages, all these processes slow down, causing dull and sallow, wrinkled skin.
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Helps to reduce sun damage
Sun's UV rays are a known source of damaging free radicals, which causes skin ageing and collagen degradation. As a potent antioxidant, CoQ10 helps reverse this damage by protecting the skin and stimulating the cells to remove the toxins out of the body.
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Supports the collagen production
Coenzyme Q10 stimulates the body's ability to create collagen and elastin protein for a youthful, firm skin.
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Evens out skin tone
This benefit is amazing and I've noticed my skin being brighter and even almost immediately after trying out CoQ10. It has been shown to block tyrosinase activity and melanin production and therefore helps prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Hello bright and even skin!
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Reduces signs of premature ageing
As mentioned above, this ingredient stimulates skin to produce collagen and elastin, which in turn reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
How to incorporate CoQ10 into your skincare routine
Another great advantage about CoQ10 is that you can use it daily and it's pretty safe to combine with other actives, such as Vitamin C or A (retinol), hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHAs or plant extracts. You can also use it daily, AM and PM. I hope by now you are as excited about this natural ingredient as I am!
Which products contains CoQ10
I have researched and experimented with this active for quite a while now and am pretty obsessed about it (understandably). So much that I decided to infuse Balmista's Self Love Face Oil with this hero ingredient! You can use it instead of a moisturiser or mix a few drops with a moisturiser. Paired with 5 pure botanical oils, this everyday, versatile face oil slows down ageing process and gives you a visible glow.