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What Is Q10?

Read our guide on everything you need to know about coenzyme Q10 & what is Q10 good for as well as discovering our products with Q10.

What is Q10 and what is its effect on the skin?

Q10 occurs naturally in all of our body cells. There it is essential for energy production and thus jointly responsible for the basic functions of the skin - such as regeneration, growth and repair processes. 

Let’s take a closer look at what Q10 is and what is q10 good for.

q10-ingredient

What is Q10 and how does it work?

The coenzyme Q10 (also called ubiquinone) is a vitamin-like substance. It occurs naturally in every cell of the body and makes a vital contribution there. It's essential for energy production to fulfil the skin's basic functions such as regeneration and repair.

As our skin is the outermost layer of the body, it is constantly exposed to various external factors, including oxidative stress caused by the sun's UV rays. Plus, internal processes can cause the release of free radicals which cause further damage to our cells and accelerate signs of ageing.

What is coenzyme Q10's role?

What is coenzyme Q10’s role and why is it so effective in skincare? Q10 fulfils two tasks at the same time: It provides energy and protects the cells as an antioxidant. 

- Energy generation: Q10 is particularly necessary for cellular energy production in the mitochondria, the "power plants" in our cells. In this way, it strengthens the heart, muscles and nerves.

- Defence function: As an antioxidant, Q10 also fights off free radicals inside and outside the cells. Put simply, these are aggressive molecules that occur naturally in the body. In particular, UV radiation, stress and environmental toxins can increase the number of free radicals. If the concentration is too high, free radicals lead to oxidative stress. This can damage the cells and promote inflammation, but also accelerate skin ageing. This is why Q10 is so essential for smooth, healthy-looking skin.

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What is q10 good for?

The benefits of coenzyme Q10:

What is Q10 good for? Here are 6 benefits of 100% skin-identical Q10 for the skin:

- Gives skin the energy it needs for natural repair & regeneration
One of the key benefits of Q10 is that it provides the cells in your skin with the critical energy needed for it to be able to repair and regenerate itself, meaning it is able to better carry out its basic functions.

- More energised skin equals a more radiant complexion 
Skin that is said to look youthful and energetic generally contains high levels of Q10. This is because, with the energy that Q10 is providing the skin, it can repair and regenerate at a faster rate to stay looking young and energised. On the other hand, as skin ages, its natural levels of Q10 begin to diminish, meaning it does not repair and regenerate as fast, so can look dull and tired. This is why as you age, adding Q10 products to your skincare routine can help you to maintain a radiant complexion.

- Coenzyme Q10 Can Help to Reduce Sun Damage
Coenzyme Q10 is a powerful antioxidant that helps to defend skin from the adverse effects of sun exposure that are caused by free radicals. Reducing sun damage also helps to prevent sun-induced signs of ageing.

- Q10 supports the production of collagen
Collagen makes up almost 80% of our skin and almost a third of all proteins in our body. Coenzyme Q10 helps to support the production of collagen, which helps to: increase cell regeneration, protect delicate organs, strengthen bones, tendons and joints and maintain skin elasticity.

- Q10 helps to reduce the emergence of fine lines & wrinkles
With all the energy coenzyme Q10 provides the skin and with it helping to support the production of collagen, it is a highly effective ingredient in creams that help to fight the signs of ageing skin - such as fine lines and wrinkles.

- Q10 Helps to Promote an Even Skin Tone
Coenzyme Q10 can help to prevent hyperpigmentation and dark spots that are caused by an excess production of melanin. Coenzyme Q10 does this by helping to stop the production of tyrosinase which is the catalyst for melanin production.

Ageing and Q10

Unlike most vitamins, our body can produce Q10 itself. At a young age, the skin is sufficiently supplied with it. In addition, we absorb it through food. Nuts, meat, green vegetables and cold-pressed vegetable oils, for example, are rich in coenzyme Q10. But as we age, the levels of natural Coenzyme Q10 in our skin decrease. Due to the fact that it is such a vital antioxidant and crucial for the energy production process, a reduction in Q10 makes the skin more prone to increased stress and damage. 

This makes it more susceptible to fine lines and wrinkles, and that's why integrating products with Q10 into your skincare routine could help to maintain younger-looking skin for longer.

Care formulas with Q10 for longer young-looking skin:

- With increasing age, the skin's defence function decreases and it becomes more susceptible to oxidative stress. It is one of the causes of the first fine lines and wrinkles. For beautifully glowing and younger-looking skin, try our NIVEA Q10 Energy Day Cream, which alleviates signs of tiredness and reduces dullness.

- Care formulas with Q10 in anti-ageing products can support the skin's natural defence mechanisms and the energy metabolism of the skin cells. Applied as a cream, serum or body lotion, the antioxidant is introduced into the skin. There it can help to capture free radicals and render them harmless - preventing early signs of ageing.

Q10 for the face - how to integrate Q10 into your face care routine

Our Q10 range offers a complete skincare routine, from face wash to serum and moisturiser. The products harness the power of coenzyme Q10 and deliver it in an easy-to-use, step-by-step range. 

Using our Q10 regularly will not only visibly reduce the appearance of existing fine lines and wrinkles but also delays the onset of new ones - helping to retain a youthful-looking complexion for longer. The unique formula with hyaluronic acid and creatine doesn't just soften the skin's surface, it also gives your face a fresher, younger look.

We’ve provided some simple tips for ensuring your skin is treated to the benefits of coenzyme Q10.
 
Tips for using Q10 in your face care routine:

- Ensure your skin is clean and dry before the application.
- Always apply your serum before your moisturiser to ensure its formula can penetrate deeply and work its magic.
- Gently work the serum into your skin using the tips of your fingers to massage it all over your face.
- Combine with a Q10 Plus moisturiser to intensify the anti-wrinkle benefits.

Q10 for the skin: Beiersdorf is a leader in research

The Beiersdorf researchers were among the first to research the use of Q10 in skincare. To this day, the Q10 products are in demand all over the world.


Q10 in skincare: The result of research

The NIVEA research team has been tracking down the effects of Q10 since the 1990s. Scientists have extensively studied the role of coenzyme Q10 in human skin and have been integrating it into skincare products since 1998. 


Key data of the Q10 development 

- 1957: The American scientist Frederick L. Crane discovers the coenzyme.
- 1978: British chemist Peter Dennis Mitchell receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He had discovered how Q10 works inside cells. 
- 1990s: Beiersdorf scientists were among the first to investigate the effects of Q10 on the skin and have been successfully using the anti-ageing ingredient in NIVEA skincare products since 1998.
- Today: Coenzyme Q10 is one of the most important active ingredients in anti-ageing care. It is used in body lotions, face creams, serums and in combination with other antioxidants such as vitamin C.

In which NIVEA products are coenzyme Q10 found?

Q10 has been used as a valuable ingredient in NIVEA Anti-Age care since 1998. Since then, the coenzyme has been an important component of many NIVEA care formulas.

1. FACE CARE WITH Q10

Facial skin is particularly delicate and exposed to environmental influences on a daily basis. Prepare your skin for this with a day cream with Q10 from NIVEA. Rich creams support the regeneration of the skin at night, helping to combat wrinkles and fine lines.

2. SERUM & EYE CARE

Anti-wrinkle serums are tailored to the needs of mature skin. They provide moisture and, thanks to the formula with Q10, can ward off free radicals. Special serums are recommended for the delicate eye area, to help reduce the depth of wrinkles. Try our NIVEA Q10 Eye Cream for a visible reduction in the appearance of eye wrinkles.

3. SUNSCREEN

80 per cent of premature skin ageing is due to the effects of UV radiation. For this reason, sunscreen is particularly effective in preventing light-induced skin ageing and pigment spots. A special sunscreen for the face with Q10 is ideal for mature skin.

4. ANTI-AGING HAND CREAM

The signs of the times also usually show up very early on the hands – also because their care is often neglected. Hand cream with Q10 care formula and UV filter prevents sun-related age spots and premature wrinkling.

5. Q10 PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

With increasing age, the skin all over the body loses its firmness and elasticity. Adjust your care with coordinated anti-ageing products. Our NIVEA Q10 series also includes body milk and body lotion.