For most of us, until very recently, our skincare vocabulary consisted of cleanse, tone, and moisturise.
Thanks to the self-care movement, the evolution of the skincare market, and the power of the internet, we know our retinols from our tretinoin, our AHAs from our BHAs. We know about niaminicide and we’re studied up on squalene.
But here’s one we bet you haven’t heard of yet: liposomal idebenone.
Referred to as a ‘super antioxidant’, idebenone is touted to be one of the most powerful compounds in the world for combating free radicals (unbonded oxygen particles) on the skin.
These harmful particles mostly come from pollution, chemicals, and UV rays. City-dwellers will be the main victims of free radicals, but they’re present anywhere there’s traffic, cigarette smoke, or low air quality. They cause what’s known as ‘oxidative stress’. Too much oxidative stress leads to premature ageing, dullness, dryness, irritation, blemishes, and a whole host of other skin issues that your body struggles to fight on its own.
Idebenone is so powerful, its original medical use was to prevent oxidation occurring in hearts and organs prepared for transplants. In 2005, it was found that these same preservative antioxidant powers could benefit the skin, too.
Partly because it was quickly patented and made beauty’s best kept secret, and perhaps partly because of its less catchy name, idebenone is not something on many must-have ingredients lists.
But it absolutely should be. And here’s why.
Benefits of liposomal idebenone
Works across all layers of the skin: Many lighter antioxidant products, like those containing vitamins C and E (which are still important nutrients), fight antioxidants on the outer layers of the skin (the epidermis). Liposomal idebenone works on all layers (the epidermis, dermis, and subdermis), protecting all three from smoke, UV, and pollutive damage.
Penetrates the skin deeply: You may have heard of coenzyme Q10 – a popular ingredient in high-end creams and moisturisers. The molecular weight of idebenone is about 40% the size of Q10. The resulting rapid and powerful absorbency of idebenone make it an efficient defender against UV rays and oxidative stress.
Works to correct long term damage: Idebenone doesn’t just prevent, it also cures. Years of sun exposure without proper SPF application can result in deep lines and wrinkles, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation (where excess melanin deposits in the skin, causing patchiness). Idebenone has been shown to roll back years of exposure to the elements, resulting in a staggering 33% reduction of visible sun damage in one 2005 study.
What does the science say?
The impressive list of benefits to idebenone is not just marketing fluff. The science speaks for itself.
Studies have shown an incredible 26% reduction in skin roughness and dryness after 6 weeks’ use of a 1% idebenone solution. The study also showed a 29% reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, and a hydration increase in 37%. That’s enough to make you chuck your retinol serums away for good!
What’s the difference between idebenone and liposomal idebenone?
Although this skincare saviour is still emerging as an ingredient, you will find some idebenone-based products on the market. But in what will be a skincare market first, MixX Lab is launching a 1% liposomal idebenone formula specifically – using special technology in the synthesization process to make this product truly unique.
Using IDB nano-liposome encapsulation technology, we’re able to ‘lock the freshness’ into the ingredient, preserving its potency. This has several extra benefits: it preserves the antioxidant activity of idebenone up to 99.5%; allows slower release and penetration for a more long-lasting effect; and it’s much more stable than standardized idebenone.
Many idebenone products you can buy on the market can degrade quite dramatically. Studies have shown that without liposome, after 45 days in 40 degree temperature and at 75% relative humidity, idebenone degrades by 60%, and antioxidant activity reduces by 30%.
Using ingredients at their maximum potential delivers maximum benefit. The science behind our formulas allows us to deliver them in ways that actually work.
View our Idebenone 1% Antioxidant Tightening Essence here and experience the amazing results for yourself.
Layla Tovey