Ingredient glossary
Idebenone
On your shelf ✓What Idebenone does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Idebenone · Also: Hydroxydecyl ubiquinone
In short: Idebenone delivers antioxidant and anti-aging support, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong. One thing to know: clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently.
- What it does
- Antioxidant, anti aging
- Best for
- Most skin types
- Watch out
- Clear it with your doctor if pregnant; introduce it gently
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
Genuinely worth a spot in your routine.
When your goal is softening fine lines and keeping skin firm, Idebenone pulls genuine weight, and the research properly backs it up. Introduce it gently, and pair it with something soothing if your skin runs sensitive.
— Maya
What it does
- antioxidant
- anti aging
- brightening
strong evidenceA non vehicle controlled trial in photodamaged skin found twice daily 0.5 to 1 percent idebenone for six weeks cut roughness 23 to 26 percent and improved fine lines about 30 percent, with biopsy evidence of higher collagen I. Contact dermatitis is reported.
On a label: usually effective at 0.5-1%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- mature
- photoaged
- dry
- normal
- combo
Approach with care
- very sensitive
- rare allergy
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskModerate
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveTake care
Often chosen for mature, photoaged. Take extra care if any of these apply to you: rare allergy.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
Idebenone, answered
Is Idebenone safe during pregnancy?
Clear it with your doctor first. Idebenone is flagged as use-with-caution during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so check with your doctor or midwife before adding it.
Who should avoid Idebenone?
Approach Idebenone with care if any of these apply to you: very sensitive and rare allergy. Its irritation risk is moderate, so introduce it slowly and patch test first.
What concentration of Idebenone actually works?
Idebenone tends to do its job in the 0.5 to 1% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
During pregnancy
Treat Idebenone as a maybe rather than a yes for now. It is flagged as one to use with caution while pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is worth clearing before you carry on.
When in doubt, check with your doctor or midwife. They outrank any website, including this one.When it is worth booking →
Compare Idebenone with
Can you mix Idebenone with
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