Linoleic acid is one of the two essential fatty acids that must be present for vitamin F to be made. The omega-6 fatty acid is found naturally in the environment and is found in many foods, such as rosehip, chia, and argan essential oils. Linoleic acid can rehydrate the skin and help restore its ability to protect itself. Skin's intelligence is something to be proud of; it's pretty smart. Our skin cells have natural building blocks like fatty acids, vitamins, and collagen, which contribute to the resilience and health of the skin as a whole.
As clever as hair care can be, skin care can also use chemicals that mimic all the good things our bodies already make. Linoleic acid is one of the ingredients in skincare products. Linoleic acid is found naturally in the skin and some foods, like salmon and almonds. It is also added to skincare products on purpose. Read on to learn about what linoleic acid is, the benefits of linoleic acid and the ways it can help your skin.
What Is Linoleic Acid?
Linoleic acid, which is also called vitamin F, is an essential fatty acid that is naturally found in healthy skin. It is a key part of how each skin cell is built. It is a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid and should not be confused with linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid.
Benefits Of Linoleic Acid
Benefits of Linoleic Acid
1. Retains Moisture and Protects from Infections
Skin cells are stacked like bricks to make up the top layer of skin. How do they stay together? Sebum, ceramides, and fatty acids are all parts of the skin. These fatty acids make a barrier against bacteria that helps keep the skin from getting sick. It is also water-resistant, which helps stop water loss through the skin. The Royal Postgraduate Medical School in London did research on essential fatty acids. They found that applying oils high in linoleic acids, like sunflower and avocado oil, can try to repair the skin barrier.
2. Protection against UV Rays
Linoleic acid can help protect the skin from UV damage, but it is not a replacement for sunscreen. UV rays can cause inflammation in the skin and make the immune system less strong. An editorial in the Oregon State University Micronutrient Information Center says that linoleic acid protects against sun damage by changing into compounds that fight inflammation and improve the skin's response to irritants. Also, it protects the skin from hyperpigmentation caused by UV light, which helps even out the skin tone.
3. Promotes Smooth Skin
If you want your skin to look younger, linoleic acid can help. Linoleic, which is unsaturated fat, is very important for promoting the turnover of skin cells and keeping the skin soft and smooth. In addition to strengthening the skin's barrier, it keeps the skin moist and full. It keeps your skin from drying out thanks to its moisturizing properties. It also helps improve the texture of the skin, calm irritations, and reduce the signs of aging.
4. Fights Inflammation and Acne
If your skin is prone to acne, you might want to add this essential fatty acid to your routine. A study in the Educational Journal of the British Association of Dermatologists found that linoleic acid can help get rid of comedones. When put on the skin, it can help avoid comedones, like pimples, stop blackheads and whiteheads from forming. Regular use can also help heal acne and other types of inflammation, such as dermatitis and rosacea. In the study, the size of comedones went down by 25% after one month of treatment.
5. Hydration
If you have dry or dehydrated skin, it is likely that your moisture barrier is broken. It lets water vapour escape from your stratum corneum (the top layer of skin) through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). People often think hyaluronic acid is the initial holy grail ingredient for hydration, but it just sits on top of your skin and holds water. Linoleic acid is the real holy grail of skincare for hydration because it is a precursor for ceramides, which are key lipids for repairing the skin's barrier. These ceramides build and fix your skin's permeability barrier. This stops transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and keeps your skin hydrated by locking in water.
6. Rebalances Oily Skin
If you have oily or acne-prone skin and are looking for a long-term solution, research shows that you probably have too much oleic acid and not enough linoleic acid in your skin. This lack of linoleic acid makes the skin make more and thicker sebum, which clogs pores and causes spots. Oils and serums with a lot of linoleic acids tend to have very low comedogenic ratings, which means they don't clog pores more. Our Pure Kalahari Melon Facial Oil has very high levels of linoleic acid, which replenishes your natural stores, restores your skin's moisture barrier, and controls the amount of sebum your skin makes.
Side Effects Of Linoleic Acid
When applied to the skin, linoleic acid does not have any adverse effects known to occur, and as a result, your skin will appear at its absolute best. Therefore, there are no side effects of linoleic acid. Nevertheless, if you notice any discomfort or reactions from utilizing the product, you must immediately discontinue its use.
Final Words
Linoleic acid is good for the skin and does not cause many problems or risks. We talked about the benefits it has and how it can be found in most oils made from plants. You do not have to look for a pure linoleic acid serum because they do not exist. However, you should look for oils or products that use a mix of oils that contain linoleic acid. When combined with the right amount of other fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants, it makes a great ingredient for anti-aging, hydrating, and protecting the skin. It is easy to see why it has become a standard in the skincare world.