Fatty Acids In Skin Care

What Is Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is also known as rosehip seed oil. Its derived from the rosa canina rose bush, which is grown mostly in Chile.

Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant.

Prized since ancient times for its valuable healing benefits, rosehip oil is loaded with skin nourishing vitamins and essential fatty acids. It also contains phenols that have been shown to have antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties.

Rosehip oil is often used as a carrier oil for essential oils that are too intense to put on your skin directly.

Keep reading to learn more about how rosehip oil can benefit your skin, and how to add it to your skin care routine.

Impacts Of Triglycerides Vs Free Fatty Acids On Skin

Another study looked at mixtures of free fatty acid oleic acid, and glycerol trioleate .

Oleic acid as a free fatty acid is known to be a barrier disruptor. They made a bunch of mixtures:

• 0% free fatty acid + 100% triglyceride
• 25% free fatty acid + 75% triglyceride
• 50% free fatty acid + 50% triglyceride
• 100% free fatty acid + 0% triglyceride

They applied one drop of each mixture to the forearms of 12 people, covered it with gauze, gave them plastic wrap so they could cover it while they were showering, then looked at the sites the next day.

First they measured the transepidermal water loss , the leakiness of the skin to water leaving. They found that the sites with 100% triglyceride had no change from the untreated areas of skin.

The TEWL for the other sites was directly proportional to the amount of free oleic acid. The scientists also measured how easily chemicals could penetrate the skin going in using fluorescein dye. The depth of the penetration of the dye was proportional to the amount of oleic acid as well.

So these results suggest that only tiny, negligible amounts of triglyceride were actually broken up into the free oleic acid. Or at least, any free oleic acid that formed was immediately turned into something else that didnt disrupt the skin barrier, or the free fatty acids didnt end up in the same place .

Good Sources Of Essential Fatty Acids

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are found mostly in vegetables, nuts, seeds, and fish. Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in fatty fish that includes salmon, mackerel, and sardines, along with flaxseeds, walnuts, canola oil, and other foods. Many doctors feel we dont eat enough omega-3in particular in the standard western diet.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in a variety of oils like grape seed, safflower, soybean, evening primrose oil, and others. Foods high in omega-6 include poultry, eggs, nuts, whole-grain breads, cereals, and many other foods.

Many people are confused about the correct ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 and how much of each to eat. The ideal ratio is 4:1 of omega-6 to omega-3. Some who specialize in anti-aging recommend an even higher ratio of 1:1, with an emphasis on omega-3. Surprisingly, most Americans are eating a ratio in the range of 12:1 to 25:1 of omega-6 to omega-3.

Some of the omega-6 fatty acids are inflammatory when consumed in high levels, while omega-3s are not. So the more omega-3s you eat, the healthier you will feel .

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How To Use Rosehip Oil

Rosehip oil is a dry oil that easily absorbs into the skin.

Although its generally safe for all skin types, you should perform a patch test before your first use. This will ensure you arent allergic to the oil.

To do this:

Once youve done a patch test, you can apply rosehip oil up to twice per day. The oil can be used on its own, or you can add a few drops to another carrier oil or your favorite moisturizer.

Rosehip oil can go rancid quickly. To help extend its shelf life, store the oil in a cool, dark place. You can also store it in your refrigerator.

Though its slightly more expensive, cold-pressed, organic rosehip oil is recommended for purity and best results.

Popular choices include:

So What Does This Mean

From these studies, we can see that triglycerides applied on skin arent broken down to give you free fatty acids on your skin in other words, applying oils isnt the same as applying the free fatty acids in those oils.

This is important because in pharmacology the dose is very important. For example, one ibuprofen tablet is less effective than two. One ibuprofen tablet might get rid of your headache, but taking tiny portions of one tablet over three days wont be noticeable.

Its even more complicated because breaking down the triglycerides depends on microorganisms, and different people have different microorganisms on their skin. For example, men have more microbes on their skin than women. Other factors like climate and genetics will make a big difference too.

Different parts of your face and body also have different microorganisms. One study found that sebum triglycerides were hydrolysed more quickly at the nose than on the forehead.

Taking antibiotics will change your skins microbes, but so will other things like using different cleansers, creams and antibacterial products.

So in conclusion we shouldnt rely on oils for the properties of their free fatty acids, unless theyve been shown to be effective at very low concentrations . Even then, theres a caveat: having the fatty acids in an oil and having them in a solution of alcohol will have very different effects on how well they penetrate your skin.

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The Enigma Of Bioactivity And Toxicity Of Botanical Oils For Skin Care

• 1Plants for Human Health Institute, North Carolina State University, Kannapolis, NC, United States
• 2Department of Food, Bioprocessing, and Nutrition Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States
• 3Department of Biology, Catawba College, Salisbury, NC, United States
• 4Department of Plant and Microbial Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States

Benefits And Uses Of Omega

Alina Petre, MS, RD Medically reviewedJillian Kubala, MS, RD

Omega-3 fats are among the most studied nutrients.

Theyre abundant in foods like walnuts, seafood, fatty fish, and certain seed and plant oils. Theyre subdivided into three types: alpha-linolenic acid , eicosapentaenoic acid , and docosahexaenoic acid .

Omega-3 fats are renowned for their powerful health benefits, including their potential to fight depression, lower inflammation, and reduce markers of heart disease. Plus, one lesser-known perk is that they may benefit your skin and hair (

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Essential Fatty Acids: Skin Care And Body Booster

EFAs can be real skin care powerhouses. Research suggests that they may not only reduce sun sensitivity in those with photodermatitis, they may also diminish the inflammation associated with acne. Other studies found that psoriasis treatment that included medication and EFA supplementation was more successful than treatment with medication alone.

And omega-3s can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke and may reduce symptoms of joint pain and depression. They may even boost your immunity and forestall Alzheimer’s disease. Those are some powerful body-boosting fats!

Choosing Healthy Fats For Natural Skin Care

If you’re ready to boost your body and skin with these smart fats, here’s what you need to know: Most of us have diets woefully short on omega-3s and too rich in omega-6s. To boost body and skin, the idea is to keep these nutrients in balance, easier to do when you know their sources.

Omega-3s are found in:

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Secondary Metabolites And Biological Reactive Intermediates

While most botanical oils can be considered safe, a few contain compounds, which can be converted to biological reactive intermediates causing toxicity . Although health promoting effects of secondary metabolites coextracted into the botanical oils may be beneficial, they may also have potential toxic effects and local higher levels of exposure due to topical application. For example, rosemary oil has been demonstrated to induce lipid and protein oxidation at high doses . High doses of the monoterpenoid phenols, carvacrol, and thymol, increase the levels of malondialdehyde, resulting in membrane damage, and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine, causing cell DNA damage . Eugenol present in clove oil can be oxidized to phenoxyl radicals that induce reactive oxygen species-mediated apoptosis in human cells . Borage plant parts contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are toxic to the liver and lungs, and maybe coextracted into borage seed oil . Raw botanical oil materials often originate from different sources and storage timeframes, complicating comparisons of bioactive ingredients and lack of potentially toxic contaminants in them.

Lipids Of Healthy Skin

Skin surface lipids derived from the epidermis and sebaceous glands are found in decreasing order on scalp > face > back > chest > abdomen > arms > legs > palms and soles. The latter do not contain sebaceous glands but receive small amounts of carryover lipids from other areas of the body . Human sebaceous glands are a unique source of wax esters and squalene . The composition of human skin lipids also differs from that of other mammals by higher content of triacylglycerols and free fatty acids . Fatty acids naturally present in human stratum corneum are mostly saturated docosanoic acid 22:0, lignoceric acid 24:0, and hexacosanoic acid 26:0 that are often branched, methylated, and/or hydroxylated, although smaller quantities of oleic acid 18:1 and linoleic acid 18:2 have been also reported . The perceived oiliness of the skin, however, does not depend on total surface lipids nor the proportion of free fatty acids, but rather correlates with the larger ratios of unsaturated fatty acids and wax esters in the sebum.

Table 1 Lipid class composition of various skin sites .

Table 2 Fatty acid composition from various body sites .

Table 3 Compositions of skin bound fatty acids by various lipid class .

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Botanical Oils For Topical Skin Care

Inexpensive and readily available botanical oils are routinely used for topical skin applications. They may enhance skin function by forming a physical barrier, supplying fatty to different skin layers, activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α signaling, or decreasing cutaneous inflammation . Chemical diversity found in botanical oils leads to a variety of pharmacological activities and modes of action depending on quantities and proportions of individual chemical constituents in these complex mixtures. In general, it appears high linoleic acid 18:2 containing botanical oils are more beneficial to skin health when compared to the high oleic acid 18:1 counterparts . Therefore, different ratios of individual fatty acids present in botanical oils often result in opposite, either beneficial or detrimental, effects on epidermal barrier function and comedogenicity and merit detailed inquiry .

Lipid Metabolism In The Skin

Fatty acid desaturation and elongation

Skin is a metabolically active organ. Saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids , cholesterol, and ceramides can be synthesized and modified in the skin however, EFAs must be obtained from exogenous sources. Furthermore, unlike the liver, the skin lacks the enzymatic machinery required for conversion of LA and ALA to their long-chain metabolites. Specifically, there is a deficiency in delta-6 and delta-5 desaturase activity, enzymes that add double bonds to fatty acid chains, thereby converting LA to -linolenic acid and arachidonic acid , and ALA to eicosapentaenoic acid . Because of the inability of skin to produce these long-chain metabolites, GLA, AA, EPA, and DHA are also considered essential nutrients for the skin .

Although there is no detectable desaturase activity, elongase activity is retained in the epidermis. Thus, dihomo–linolenic acid can be synthesized from GLA in the epidermis when GLA is supplied exogenously. DGLA metabolites are thought to possess anti-inflammatory properties, thus several studies have investigated the effect of topical and dietary supplementation with GLA-rich oils on inflammatory skin conditions .

Eicosanoid production in the skin

Cyclooxygenase

Lipoxygenase

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Benefits Of Fatty Acids On Skin

Fatty acids make up 1/3rd of the skin barrier which protects the skin from dehydration and from allergens, irritants, and infectious microbes. Fatty acids also affect the microbiome of the skin which plays a role in acne, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema. These same microbes of the microbiome can break down lipids into short-chain fatty acids that affect inflammatory reactions and help maintain a balanced microbiome. Fatty acids can also influence the desquamation of the skin. There are many benefits of fatty acids on the skin however, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in moisturizers have differing effects on the skin. The best fatty acids to use on the skin depend upon the skin condition you are treating and what Baumann Skin Type® you have.

It Helps Protect Against Sun Damage

Cumulative damage from a lifetime of exposure to the sun plays a major role in premature aging. Ultraviolet exposure can also interfere with the bodys ability to produce collagen.

Rosehip oil contains antioxidants like vitamins A and E. These vitamins have been shown to synergistically combat visible sun damage. They may also help prevent photoaging.

With this in mind, rosehip oil may be used to help reduce the negative effects of UV exposure. But it shouldnt be used in place of sunscreen.

Talk with your doctor or dermatologist about how you can safely use both in your skin care routine.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when excess melanin forms dark spots or patches on the skin. This can result from a number of factors, including:

• certain medications, including birth control pills and chemotherapy drugs

Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A is made up of several nutritional compounds, including retinoids. Retinoids are known for their ability to reduce hyperpigmentation and other visible signs of aging with regular use.

Rosehip oil also contains both lycopene and beta carotene. These ingredients are skin-lightening properties, making them staple ingredients in many skin-lightening products.

Animal studies indicate that rosehip extract contains

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Role Of Fatty Acid Lipids In Skin Care

If you are a skin guru about skin science, you know that barrier repair moisturizers need ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids to effectively repair the skin barrier. When looking for a fatty acid-containing moisturizing cream or oil, the type and amount of fatty acids in the cream are important. This article will discuss fatty acids and skin health, the benefits of fatty acids for skin, which topical fatty acids are best for various skin conditions, and how to choose a moisturizer based on the type of fatty acids it contains.

Your Skins Barrier Relies On Essential Fatty Acids To Function Properly

Youve probably heard the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of skin, described as a brick wall: Your skin cells act like bricks, and the mortar is a mixture of sebum, ceramides, andyou guessed itfatty acids.

Here, the fatty acids already present in your skin do three important things: They decrease trans-epidermal water loss , theyre antimicrobial, and theyre anti-inflammatory, Olga Bunimovich, M.D., a dermatologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, tells SELF. If any one of those functions is compromised, your skin barrier will be too. help form an antibacterial, water-resistant barrier, which is basically how our skin protects itself from infection, Shilpi Khetarpal, M.D., a dermatologist at Cleveland Clinic, tells SELF.

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Linoleic Acid And Oleic Acid The Assistants To Transporting Benefits

When talking about linoleic acid and oleic acid in skin care, its mostly in the realm of oils, where they arent true acids per se. In oils, these fatty acids have reacted to lose their acid groups, to form triglycerides. Generally, oils that contain more linoleic acid have drier textures that suit oily skin, while oils that contain more oleic acid feel richer and work better for dry skin.

Linoleic acid on its own has pigmentation-lightening properties, but since its already found in oils, youll need to use a product thats free of linoleic acid to achieve the same effect. Oleic acid on its own is a barrier disruptor thats useful for helping drugs penetrate the skin.

Choosing which acid to use is the hard part. The easiest way to go about it, is by knowing what problem you want to treat.

Pro-tip: The higher the concentration, the more likely the acid will irritate the skin. Always patch test and start with a lower concentration before moving up.

Omega Fatty Acids In Skincare: The Complete Guide

If you’re anything like us, when you hear “omega fatty acids” you probably immediately think of a fish oil supplement, not necessarily a skincare product. But omega fatty acids are one of those unique ingredients that straddle the line between both the health and beauty worlds, with benefits for your skin that can come both from ingesting them orally and applying them topically. Here, Robyn Gmyrek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Union Derm in New York City, and Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, explain everything there is to know about omega fatty acids, including how what sets the different types apart, who should consider working them into a skincare routine, and the best products to try.

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