The present invention is directed to the use of a compound selected from the group consisting of ²-carotene, lutein, lycopene and ²-cryptoxanthin, and mixtures thereof with CoQ-I O for maintaining the energy metabolism, the energy flow and/or the energy production in skin or of skin of animals including humans, for maintaining the respiratory function of the skin of animals including humans, for energizing the skin, maintaining and supporting the radiance and natural glow of the skin of animals including humans and for promoting a healthy appearance of the skin of animals including humans for preventing UV-A radiation-inducted mtDNA mutagenesis in skin of animals including humans, as well as for the manufacture of a composition, preferably an orally applicable composition, for these uses and the corresponding methods. The present invention is further directed to the use of a compound selected from the group consisting of ²-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and ²-cryptoxanthin, and mixtures thereof and combinations thereof with CoQ-10 in sunscreens as well as daily care products to improve their photoprotective potential, as well as to their use as effective micronutrients for skin maintenance. Furthermore the present invention is directed to compositions, preferably orally applicable compositions, comprising a certain amount of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ²-carotene, lutein, lycopene and ²-cryptoxanthin and mixtures thereof and combinations thereof with CoQ-10 as active ingredient, characterized in that the amount is effective for such uses as mentioned above.본 발명은, 인간을 비롯한 동물의 피부 내의 또는 피부의 에너지 대사, 에너지 흐름 및/또는 에너지 생성을 유지하기 위한, 인간을 비롯한 동물의 피부의 호흡 기능을 유지하기 위한, 피부를 활력화하고, 인간을 비롯한 동물의 피부의 광채 및 자연스러운 홍조를 유지 및 지지하고, 인간을 비롯한 동물의 피부의 건강한 외관을 증진시키기 위한, 인간을 비롯한 동물의 피부에서 UV-A 방사선-유도된 mtDNA 돌연변이유발을 방지하기 위한, β-카로틴, 루테인, 리코펜 및 β-크립토잔틴으로 이루어진 군으로부터 선택된 화합물, 이들의 혼합물, 또는 상기 화합물과 조효소 Q10(CoQ-10)의 조합물의 용도； 조성물, 바람직하게는 상기 용도들을 위한 경구 투여가능한 조성물의 제조를 위한 용도； 및 이에
