Environmental pollution causes signs of ageing on the skin, dark spots and inflammation. Two important enzymes (EPHX1 and NQO1) protect the skin and body from highly reactive external chemicals (epoxides and quinones).
The EPHX1 enzyme prevents the absorption of epoxides by converting them into less reactive, water-soluble forms. The NQO1 enzyme converts the coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) to its reduced form, ubiquinol, which captures free radicals in the mitochondria and in the lipid membrane of the skin. This enzyme detoxifies quinones by converting them into reduced forms that can be excreted. On the skin, both enzymes play an important role in preventing the outer layer (the epidermis) from absorbing toxins.
Genetic variations in the EPHX1 gene may cause deficiencies in its function and, in the NQO1 gene, decrease the production of ubiquinol. People with reduced levels of these two enzymes suffer from significantly reduced skin protection against environmental toxins.
