In the world of skincare, there are several buzzwords that enthusiasts are familiar with, such as collagen, elastin, ceramides, retinol, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid. For those deeply interested in skincare science, terms like fibroblasts, messenger peptides, and stratum corneum hold significance. Only those truly fascinated by skincare at the cellular level understand the importance of mitochondria and adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
Mitochondria, often referred to as the “powerhouse of the cells,” may ring a bell from high school biology classes. While accurate, there’s much more to explore about these energy providers, especially concerning skin health and skincare.
How Mitochondria Impacts Aging and Skin Health
Mitochondria are present in nearly every cell of our body, where they generate energy. This chemical energy, stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), serves as the body’s currency for energy. ATP is crucial for various functions throughout the body, including those of the skin cells.
Skin cells require a continuous supply of ATP to support numerous functions, with skin regeneration being a key one. The skin, being a high-turnover organ, undergoes rapid cell turnover to combat external stressors. In youth, skin cell turnover occurs approximately every 20 days, but this process slows down with age, taking up to 60 days later in life.
Beyond cell turnover, ATP is essential for fibroblasts to produce collagen and elastin, the structural proteins of the skin. It also aids in the production of other molecules that maintain skin barrier function and hydration.
Additionally, ATP fuels both the inflammatory and antioxidant responses, contributing to skin protection.
However, as we age or encounter health issues and environmental stressors, mitochondrial health may decline, leading to reduced ATP production.
This decline results in decreased production of collagen, elastin, and other vital components, as well as impaired skin healing, barrier regeneration, and protection against external aggressors. Slower skin cell turnover also occurs as a consequence of reduced ATP production.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased ATP production are at the core of many signs associated with skin aging.
Consequently, beauty brands are increasingly focusing on mitochondrial health as a potential solution for combating skin aging, recognizing it as a crucial factor for maintaining youthful-looking skin.
Some Skincare Products Now Support Mitochondrial Health
Until recently, mitochondrial health was not a widely discussed topic in the beauty industry. It wasn’t necessarily ignored but rather not well understood, especially among the general public. However, this is changing due to advancements in longevity science.
In recent years, there has been a surge in longevity research, leading to widespread conversations about lifespan optimization and its practical implications, including in health and beauty.
The future of health and beauty is now intricately linked to what is known as the “longevity lifestyle,” as highlighted in a report on “Advanced Aesthetics.”
This convergence of aesthetic sciences and longevity research has sparked innovative developments in the skincare industry, with mitochondrial health emerging as a key focus area.
Some of the latest skincare products incorporate proprietary postbiotics like Urolithin A, which promotes cellular cleanup and enhances mitochondrial health. Clinical studies have shown that Urolithin A can slow down the skin aging process and protect against both internal and external factors of aging.
Other products feature a bioavailable form of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a potent antioxidant found in mitochondria. CoQ10 supports energy production and helps reduce oxidative stress, thereby improving skin elasticity and smoothness, and combating wrinkles.
Ubiquinol, a clinically proven form of CoQ10, is known to increase CoQ10 levels, which decline with age.
Additionally, some skincare brands incorporate ATP directly into their formulas using innovative delivery systems. For instance, a novel liposomal delivery system delivers encapsulated ATP directly into skin cells, replenishing the ATP levels lost with age and promoting skin vitality.
Bottom Line
The key takeaway from this is the critical importance of mitochondrial health for overall well-being and longevity.
Research consistently emphasizes the central role of mitochondria in powering every chemical, biological, and cellular process in the body by producing energy. As such, mitochondria play a pivotal role in governing how our bodies function and how they age.
Recognizing this significance, the most forward-thinking beauty brands have begun to focus on strategies to support mitochondrial health. By understanding and addressing the needs of mitochondria, these brands aim to promote not only healthier and more vibrant skin but also overall wellness and longevity.