Idebenone - What is it?

Idebenone is a natural antioxidant compound promoted as a vitamin-like natural ingredient with properties similar to CoQ10.  It is found in all aerobic organisms and also plays a role in cellular energy production.

Although it has been used for many years as a pharmaceutical ingredient, it has on recently been used as an ingredient in skin care products. A few skin care companies now market it as a new miracle ingredient rather than as an older compound that has found a new application.

Where did it come from?Beginning in the 17=970's, studies were done on CoQ10.  They were mainly related to  heart disease and damage caused by free radicals  and other brain conditions. Researchers synthesized numerous variations  of the compound while these tests were being carried out.  Idebenone was an exception to most that proved ineffective or unsafe.  Idebenone is now considered by many to be a "better Co Q10".  Additional studies showed it be 30 - 100x more effective than vit E in eliminating free radicals within participants brain cells.Although it is, in structure,  very closely related to CoQ10, there are a few distinctions that make it superior in neutralizing free radicals especially and helping correct damage resulting from reduced cellular blood flow.

A 1995 study that was published in The Journal of Transplantation compared the tissue-preserving effects of  Idebenone to Coenzyme Q10. The study measured several factors, including damage caused by free radical membrane lipids, damage to cell protein and cellular energy production under hypoxia or 'oxygen deprivation'.

The results showed Idebenone was more effective than Co Q10 at preserving liver tissues that were stored prior to transplant to another person.

More recently CoQ10 has been shown in a number of studies to lessen the appearance of lines and wrinkles.  As a result, some wrinkle cream manufacturers decided that CoQ10 analogues might provide a comparable benefit.  However, there's still a lot of work to be done to determine whether idebenone is a better alternative.

We do know that they both have multiple effects on various cell properties. However, in spite of their many similarities many differences do exist. Therefore, until there are longer-term test results it is difficult to determine which one is superior.

This uncertainty is common among newer wrinkle cream compounds.  This uncertainty usually has more to do with effectiveness than safety. Most experts now agree idebenone is a very safe product. It has remained in use since the 80s and has always had an excellent safety record.  It is sold as a supplement in the US without a prescription, just like coenzyme Q10.

Should you try this product?

If your current wrinkle cream  products are not working for you or produce adverse effects, then you might try it.  At the same time, it may be a good idea to wait for more studies.

When added to wrinkle creams they can get quite expensive even though idebenone as a single ingredient is not very costly. This is common for actively hyped, new  wrinkle cream treatments - the price will often include a large markup. You could wait until the prices drop or even make your own idebenone formulation. This ensures a good concentration and can guarntee freshness.  This is important since it is easily inactivated by oxygen.

If you do decide to try it, you might consider a side-by-side comparison test of it and CoQ10. You could just apply one to each side of your face and compare the two for results after about six weeks.

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