What is CoQ10 in skincare?
Coenzyme Q10, also called ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble compound found in the mitochondria of every cell. It has two jobs: it carries electrons in the process that generates cellular energy, and it acts as an antioxidant protecting cell membranes from oxidation.
Skin levels of CoQ10 fall steadily with age and are further depleted by UV exposure, which is the rationale for replacing it topically.
What skin concerns does CoQ10 treat?
It targets the energy side of skin ageing – tired, dull, thinning skin with reduced cell activity – alongside fine lines and loss of firmness.
Topical application has been shown to raise CoQ10 levels in the skin and increase its antioxidant capacity, and laboratory work links it to reduced UVB-induced wrinkle formation. It is well tolerated, including on sensitive skin.
What ingredients are best paired with CoQ10?
Stack it with other antioxidants for a wider defence: vitamin C, vitamin E, ferulic acid, resveratrol and green tea all cover different free-radical species.
It pairs safely with retinoids, peptides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid, making it easy to slot into an existing anti-ageing routine. As with all antioxidants, it supports sunscreen rather than substituting for it. Take our Skin Quiz.
What are clogged pores?
A clogged pore is a hair follicle blocked by a mix of sebum, dead skin cells and debris. Left open to the air the plug oxidises and darkens into a blackhead; sealed over by skin it becomes a whitehead or closed comedone.
Clogged pores are the starting point of nearly all acne – the microcomedone forms first, and inflammation follows only if bacteria and immune response get involved.
What causes clogged pores?
Excess sebum and abnormal keratinisation are the two mechanics. When the follicle lining sheds cells faster than they can clear, they bind with oil and form a plug.
Comedogenic products (heavy oils, some silicones and waxes), thick makeup worn for long stretches, humidity, sweat left on the skin, hormonal shifts and insufficient cleansing all contribute. So does over-cleansing, which damages the barrier and drives oil production up.
What ingredients are best for clogged pores?
Salicylic acid is the first choice because it is oil-soluble and works inside the pore rather than just on the surface. Glycolic and lactic acid clear the surface layer, and clay masks absorb excess oil weekly.
Retinoids are the most effective long-term fix, because they change how the follicle sheds in the first place. Add niacinamide to regulate sebum and keep the barrier intact, and switch to non-comedogenic, lightweight hydrators. Take our Skin Quiz to find products that will not re-clog you.
