What is Known About Idebenone?

If you’re interested in some of the new skin creams which contain idebenone (pronounced “eedy-be-known”) and want to know how much science is behind this “new” ingredient, the short answer is “a lot”.



Idebenone is a synthetic chemical analog of ubiquinone, more commonly known as Coenzyme Q10 or CoQ10. Both are powerful antioxidants.



In the 1970s, researchers were studying the potential of CoQ10 to reduce risk of heart failure and free radical damage, as well as to slow progression of some neurological diseases. The results were so encouraging that they began synthesizing analogs of CoQ10 to see if they could boost its effectiveness. Thus was born idebenone.



Taken internally, idebenone is currently used to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke. It increases: brain and physical energy levels; mental clarity; and brain levels of serotonin and nerve growth factor. It protects cells and inhibits inflammation. It acts to protect the heart and the brain’s myelin sheath and mitochondria. It has no toxic side effects.



It was decades before cosmetic companies began looking at antioxidants’ effectiveness in topical applications. Clinical trial after clinical trial showed them to be very effective in stopping and even reversing free radical damage to the skin caused by the sun’s UV rays, as well as by the body’s own internal processes.



Learn more about Idebenone here.



Tags: idebenone, antioxidants, coenzyme Q10