Hello:

My name is Kiel and I am ebay user KieltheChemist.  I have a Masters degree in medicinal chemistry from Western Michigan University (Go Broncos!).  My "day" jobs are working for a pharmaceutical company and working as a chemistry professor.  I also run a skincare business, some of you have probably viewed my ebay listings.

Idebenone is a chemical that has been studied for a long time.  Its chemical structure puts it in a large class of chemicals called anti-oxidants.  Its first usages in pharmaceutical applications is as a nootropic agent (fights memory loss).  Recent publications in the scientific journals (published by the American Chemical Society, of which I am a member, and the American Academy of Dermatology) shows that it is also a very powerful anti-oxidant in skin applications.

A large personal care company called Allergan performed some of the studies on idebenone and began marketing an anti-aging/anti-wrinkle product called Prevage(TM).  This product has been wildly successful for them.  People using this product have reported results ranging from no benefit to elimination of all fine lines and wrinkles.  Most users agree that it is an excellent product.

Idebenone is NOT regulated by the FDA.  You do not need a prescription nor does the product need to be purchased at the Dr.'s office.  There is no such thing as "medical" or "physician" strength idebenone or Prevage.  Most studies of idebenone as an anti-wrinkle agent were done at a 0.5% idebenone concentration.  Most users of idebenone are users of the 1% Prevage, so most of the reported results of positive use are with the 1% concentration product.  Also of note, about 1 in 50 people will be hypersensitive to idebenone and will not be able to use any product with idebenone in it (they will get irritation/redness/swelling).

Prevage was originally sold as a 1% idebenone lotion.  The only active ingredient in the original Prevage is idebenone.  Allergan came out with another formulation of Prevage, calling it Prevage MD.  Again, its only active ingredient is 1% idebenone.  They also signed a marketing agreement with Elizabeth Arden to sell a version of Prevage.  But it only contains 0.5% idebenone, plus other active ingredients (be careful of this product, reported results are not as good as the original formula!).

Other people/companies have now begun to make idebenone products (including us!).  Things to think about:

1.  Is more than 1% better?  There is no data to support that higher concentrations work better.

2.  Should I buy from a company other than Prevage?  Sure, but BE CAREFUL!  Check them out, do they have a science background in skin care.  Do they test their idebenone for purity.  Where do they get the idebenone.  Do they make their product in a controlled environment (don't put something on your face that people are mixing in their bathtub!)

3.  Should I mix my own lotion?  We say no.  Do you know if the idebenone will be stable in the lotion you are using.  Will you be able to handle the idebenone in an inert atmosphere (it degrades when exposed to air over time).  Putting a chemical in a ziplock baggie isn't an ideal way to ensure chemical purity!  A good idebenone lotion will be formulated to keep the idebenone stable over a long period of time.  You don't get that assurance if you mix it yourself.

4.  We aren't saying buy from us.  We are saying DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Prevage is right for some people.  An alternative supplier is right for others.  But be thorough, what you put on your skin affects your health!

Thank you for your time and we wish you healthy skin.  Please visit us and feel free to ask us any skin care questions you may have.

4-evryoung@sbcglobal.net