Lately a lot of women have been asking me to recommend an affordable body moisturizer for the sticky summer months, when thick body butters or creams leave you feeling like a basted piece of poultry. I have a few favorites, but one that I recently discovered is Aubrey Organics’ Honeysuckle CoQ10 Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion, which boasts a really lightweight, almost gel-like consistency that glides easily onto your skin and is easily absorbed. Your skin will feel softer and smoother after application, but you won’t have that sweaty feeling that results from heavier formulations. Plus, the lotion has a slightly beach-y scent thanks to a mix of honeysuckle, aloe extract, and coconut fatty alcohol.

CoQ10 gets top billing in the ingredient list so, before I extol the wonders of this lotion, let’s talk a bit about this particular substance. CoQ10 (or Coenzyme Q10) is found in every single cell in our bodies and it plays a pivotal role in helping cells perform their day-to-day functions (especially in helping produce energy in the mitochondria) —and, like many other enzymes and lipids, its levels decrease as we age. Studies have found a correlation between these lower CoQ10 levels and instances of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Some doctors, then, recommend taking CoQ10 supplements for those who are susceptible to these diseases due to genetic factors. Its usage in skincare, however, is relatively recent. Because CoQ10 boasts antioxidant properties and hence helps to protect from free radicals (one of the main causes of premature aging signs), skincare companies are beginning to experiment with formulas centered on this substance.Recent studies suggest it could be vital in protecting the skin from photoaging and in preventing the emergence of melanomas. Because there isn’t a large number of studies to reference, however, the exact benefits of CoQ10 have yet to be quantified or delineated in any clear form, but signs do point to it becoming as much of a buzzword as collagen and elastin.

The other key ingredient is, of course, honeysuckle. In ancient Chinese medicine, honeysuckle flowers have been used in teas an expectorant or diuretic agents, helping to release toxins from the body, and their stems have been used to cool the body down (especially in cases of fever or even arthritis) and to cure any skin conditions aggravated by the summer heat. Because honeysuckle has both antibacterial and antiseptic properties, it helps to calm inflamed skin and to relieve any itchiness or discomfort.

The rest of the formula reads like a botanical wonderland, with ingredients like: soothing aloe leaf extract and lavender; moisturizing macadamia seed oil, sunflower oil, and sweet almond oil; anti-aging agent and antioxidant-rich jojoba seed oil; anti-bacterial and anti-parasitic grapefruit seed extract; gently astringent witch hazel water; rejuvenating rosewood oil; circulation-boosting, skin balancing lemon peel; and anti-inflammatory, moisture-regulating ylang oil.

I love how soft and smooth your skin feels after using this product, and the scent is light yet invigorating — a perfect summer lotion.

Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle CoQ10 Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion, $12.95. Available at Aubrey-Organics.com