From natural remedies to potent medications, there’s no shortage of treatment options available for controlling eczema symptoms. However, they unfortunately don’t always deliver – and in some cases, they can come with some less than desirable side effects.
One lesser known ingredient that may help manage eczema while supporting overall skin health is coenzyme Q10 (also known as CoQ10). If you’re prone to eczema, here is why you should consider adding CoQ10 to your routine.
Understanding Eczema
Eczema is a common inflammatory skin condition that can be characterized by itchiness, rashes, dryness, redness, rough patches, blisters, and infections. These symptoms can appear anywhere on the body, including the face.
Flare-ups can come and go and can vary in severity. These bouts of symptoms can range from a few days to several weeks. They may be triggered by exposure to elements like fragrances, soaps, cleaning products, allergens, and weather changes.
It’s important to get a diagnosis from a medical professional to determine the exact form of eczema you’re experiencing, and to identify any underlying conditions or triggers that may be causing your flare-ups. While there is no cure, symptoms can be managed with proper treatments.
Those with mild cases can typically control eczema symptoms by applying a fragrance-free moisturizer and an ointment to reduce dryness and support barrier health. More severe cases may also require the use of treatments like prescription-based antihistamines or topical corticosteroids.
Of course, identifying and avoiding your triggers (when possible) is also key for reducing your risk of experiencing symptoms. Those with eczema may also benefit from using targeted serums to maintain barrier health and reduce the risk of experiencing symptoms – we’ll discuss this in more detail below.
Role of Coenzyme Q10 in Skin Health
CoQ10 is naturally found in the body, where it is involved in energy production and cell growth. When used in topical skincare formulas, this enzyme offers a multitude of benefits to keep the skin healthy, comfortable, and radiant.
First and foremost, CoQ10 acts as an antioxidant, helping to shield the skin against oxidative stress from free radicals. Oxidative stress can contribute to damage and visible signs of aging, and can also increase inflammation in the skin. CoQ10 has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Beyond these key benefits, CoQ10 can help support skin health by energizing the skin cells so that they are able to work efficiently and optimally. The enzyme also stimulates elastin and collagen production – which keeps the skin looking firm and more youthful – and helps promote a more even skin tone.
Benefits of Coenzyme Q10 for Eczema
So now for the main question: how exactly does coenzyme Q10 help eczema? The effects are two-fold. Since it acts as an antioxidant, CoQ10 is able to block the effects of free radicals (which as mentioned above, can cause inflammation in the skin). The anti-inflammatory effects means the enzyme can also further help bring down levels of inflammation in the skin to improve comfort and overall health – and to reduce the risk of flare-ups.
Another huge benefit of using coenzyme Q10 is that you can safely use it over a long period of time without having to worry about adverse side effects. By contrast, there are some major downsides to using topical corticosteroids (which are commonly prescribed to manage eczema symptoms) over a longer period of time. The skin can become reliant on these types of medications, and they may also thin and weaken the skin. With all of this in mind, it’s important to limit your usage of topical corticosteroids as much as possible.
If you’re thinking of adding CoQ10 to your routine, it’s essential that you find a product that is suitable for eczema-prone skin. The Small Batch Serums CoQ10 Boost Serum combines coenzyme Q10 with other ingredients that soothe and hydrate the skin, working to reduce the risk of signs of eczema. This includes green tea, licorice root, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. Perhaps even more importantly, it’s free of fragrances and other potential irritants that could worsen eczema symptoms.
How to Incorporate Coenzyme Q10 into Your Eczema Care Routine
What’s particularly great about coenzyme Q10 is that it’s non-irritating, and most will find that they won’t experience negative side effects when using it topically. Our CoQ10 Boost Serum was also formulated to be gentle on the skin, and can safely be used up to two times daily.
For the best results, use the serum at least once every day (either morning or night). Apply the formula after cleansing the skin. Follow up with a fragrance-free moisturizer, which will fight dryness and improve skin function to further reduce your risk of flare-ups. When used on a consistent basis, the formula will enhance skin comfort and health, and will help keep your eczema under control.
