• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

TBOSC

Love Your Skin

  • About
    • About TBOSC
    • Contact
  • Articles
    • Recipes
    • Product Reviews
  • Anti-Aging Routines
  • Skin Types
    • Acne
    • Dry Skin
    • Combination Skin
    • Oily Skin
    • Sensitive Skin
    • Men’s Skin
    • Baby Skin Care
  • Ebooks
  • Where to Shop

Omega 3, 6, 9 : Benefits For the Skin + A Complete List of Oils and Their Omega Contents

December 14, 2016 by Andrea 25 Comments

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link.

omega 3 6 9 benefits for the skin

All fatty acids are made up of chains of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. What makes fatty acids differ is their molecular configuration.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are also known as omegas. There are three types of omega fatty acids: omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9.

These fatty acids are important in skin care because they affect how an oil behaves on the skin.

In this article you will learn:

  • Types of Omega 3 Fatty Acids
  • Types of Omega 6 Fatty Acids
  • Types of Omega 9 Fatty Acids
  • Omega Fatty Acids and Their Role in Skin Health
  • The Two Most Important Fatty Acids for Skin Care
  • Fatty Acid Composition of Common Facial Oils
  • Which Oils are Best for Which Skin Types

Types of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Omega 3's are polyunsaturated fatty acids that have their first double bond located at the third carbon from the omega end. ​They are considered an essential fatty acid because the body cannot produce them on its own.

  • ALA, or alpha-linolenic acid, is an 18-carbon chain with three cis double bonds. Found in some vegetable oils, nuts (mainly walnuts), leafy vegetables, and grass-fed animal fat.
  • EPA or eicosapentaenoic acid is a 20-carbon chain with five cis double bonds. These come mainly from fish oils.
  • DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is a 22-carbon chain with six cis double bonds. These come mainly from fish oils.

Types of Omega 6 Fatty Acids

Omega 6' are polyunsaturated fatty acids that have their first double bond located at the sixth carbon from the omega end. ​ They are considered an essential fatty acid because the body cannot produce them on its own. Found in meat, poultry and eggs, as well as nut and plant based oils.

  • ​LA or linoleic acid is an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid. It is an 18-carbon chain with the first double bond located at the sixth carbon from the omega end of the fatty acid.
  • GLA or gamma-linolenic acid also is an unsaturated omega-6 fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. However, it differs slightly from LA, and is found in different food sources.
  • AA or arachidonic acid is a 20-carbon chain.

Types of Omega 9 Fatty Acids

Omega 9's are a monounsaturad fatty acids that have their first double bond located at the ninth carbon from the omega end. Omega 9's can be produced by the body, but are also beneficial when obtained in food.​ Found in vegetable, nut and seed oils.

  • Oleic acid is the primary omega 9 fatty acid.
omega fatty acids benefits to the skin

Omega Fatty Acids and Their Role In Skin Health

  • Omega 6 and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids play a critical role in normal skin function and appearance.
  • Metabolism of linoleic acid and a-linoleic acid is limited in the skin. They are considered essential nutrients for the skin.
  • Omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids play an important role in the structural integrity and barrier function of the skin.
  • Omega 6 and omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids influence the inflammatory response of the skin.
  • Both topical and oral supplementation are effective ways to deliver essential fatty acids to the skin.
  • Topical application of certain omega 3's lessens UV-induced photo damage, signs of skin aging and inflammatory skin responses.
  • A significant portion of ingested essential fatty acids may be oxidized by the liver before reaching peripheral tissues. This means topical application can be a more efficient route of delivery for skin effects.

​More Info is available here*

*This link leads to a website provided by the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. The Best Organic Skin Care is not affiliated or endorsed by the Linus Pauling Institute or Oregon State University.

Omega fatty acids are required by our body for a number of functions, including healthy skin. Consuming a diet rich in these fatty acids will ensure that our bodies do not become deficient. Topical application is an effective method for delivering these fatty acids directly to the skin, where they can protect and nourish our skin's layers.

Omega 3 6 9 Benefits for the Skin

The two fatty acids that are most important to topical application and skin care are: oleic acid (omega 9) and linoleic acid (omega 6). 

Omega-9 Oleic Acid

Oils high in oleic acid are richer and heavier in consistency. They are extra-occlusive and seal in moisture really well.

Oleic acid is absorbed well by the skin, has anti-inflammatory and skin softening properties.

Oils high in oleic acid have a longer shelf life than oils high in linoleic acid.

These oils are especially suitable for people with dry skin.

Omega-6 Linoleic Acid

Oils high in linoleic acid are lighter and thinner in consistency. They nourish and protect the skin without being too heavy.

Linoleic acid can restore the skins barrier function and reduce scaling on your skin.

People with acne have been shown to have low levels of this acid in their skin.

Oils high in linoleic acid have a short shelf life unless the oil also contains an abundance of antioxidants.

These oils work well on those with oily skin.

Omega-(alpha-linolenic acid)

Omega-3 (alpha-linolenic acid) also has topical benefits for the skin.

Omega-3 fatty acids help the skin retain moisture, regulate oil production, and maintain elasticity. Topical application of omega-3 fatty acids lessens UV-induced photodamage, external signs of aging, and anti-inflammatory skin responses. Learn more here.


Fatty Acid Compositions of Common Facial Oils

I am only including the fatty acids that fall under the Omega 3, 6, 9 spectrum. There are other fatty acids contained in these oils, but I have not included them in the table below.

Oil

Oleic Acid (omega 9)

Linoleic Acid (omega 6)

a-Linolenic Acid (omega 3)

Apricot Kernel

69.6%

23.3%

0.22%

Avocado

65.4%

14.7%

0.8%

Castor

7%

5%

0.5-1%

Emu Oil

47.4%

15.2%

0.9%

Grapeseed

15.8%

69.6%

0.1%

Tamanu

41.4%

29.7%

0.2%

Baobab

30-40%

24-34%

1-3%

Rice Bran

38.4%

34.4%

2.2%

Kukui Nut

17-34%

27-52%

17-34%

Raspberry Seed

11.7%

52.1%

22.2%

Hemp

11-13%

54-56%

24-26%

Cranberry Seed

20-25%

35-45%

25-35%

Chaulmoogra

21.8%

29.3%

31.2%

Brazil Nut

36-45%

-

33-38%

Rosehip

13.9%

44.1%

33.9%

Sacha Inchi

8.28%

36.8%

48.6%

Chia Seed

7.3%

18.9%

63.8%

Shiso (Perilla) Seed

14.9%

17%

64%

Amaranth

22-26%

46-50%

-

Argan

43-49%

29-36%

-

Babbasu

10%

-

-

Borage

17.9%

38.8%

-

Camellia

82%

10%

-

Coconut

5-10%

1-2.5%

-

Evening Primrose

8.4%

72.6%

-

Jojoba

11.2%

-

-

Maracuja

10.7%

72.6%

-

Marula

70-78%

4-7%

-

Pomegranate

6.2%

7.1%

-

Prickly Pear

20.6%

61%

-

Pumpkin Seed

23.3%

57.2%

-

Sea Buckthorn

28.4%

6.8%

-

Sesame

39.2%

45.6%

-

Sweet Almond

50-86%

20-30%

-

Watermelon Seed

15%

63%

-

Black Cumin Seed

23.7%

57.9%

-

Safflower

17%

78%

-

Hazelnut

74%

17%

>1%

Guava Seed

9.17%

76.5%

-

Sunflower (high linoleic)

20%

69%

-

Which Oils are Best For Which Skin Types?

Different skin types will do best with different fatty acids.

Dry Skin

Use oils rich in oleic acid for heavy hydration.

Recommended Oils: Marula or Avocado.

Read:
  • Drunk Elephant Marula Oil Review
  • Avo​cado Oil for Dry Skin

Oily Skin

Stick to oils high in Linoleic acid.

Recommended Oils: Raspberry Seed or Prickly Pear.

Read:
  • 7 Fantastic Raspberry Seed Oil Benefits - Healthy Skin For Life.
  • 9 Prickly Pear Oil Benefits That Will Make Your Skin Look Younger Overnight.

Dry, Sensitive Skin

Look for oils that have a higher percentage of linoleic acid, ​and a small amount of oleic acid for its moisturizing properties.

Recommended Oils: Pumpkin Seed or Prickly Pear.

Read:
  • 9 Prickly Pear Oil Benefits That Will Make You Look Younger Overnight.
  • Not Just a Fall Fruit - The Year Round Benefits of Pumpkin.

Combination Skin

Look for oils that have a balance of linoleic and oleic acid.

Recommended Oils: Tamanu or Argan.

Read: ​
  • Tamanu Oil Benefits the Skin Life No Other Oil.
  • ​Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil Review.

Dry, Aging Skin

Use oils rich in oleic acid and high in antioxidants.

Recommended Oils: Marula or Argan.

Read:
  • ​Drunk Elephant Marula Oil Review
  • Kahina Giving Beauty Argan Oil Review

Acne Prone Skin

Use oils rich in linoleic acid that will not clog pores.

Recommended Oils: Hemp or Sunflower Seed.

Read:​
  • A List of Non-Comedogenic Facial Oils​

Rosacea or Sebbhoreic Dermatitis

High oleic acid oils may exacerbate problems. Stick to higher in linoleic acid.

Recommended Oils: Raspberry seed or Pomegranate

Read:
  • 8 Remarkable Pomegranate Seed Oil Benefits
  • 7 Fantastic Raspberry Seed Oil Benefits - Healthy Skin For Life.

Oily, Aging Skin

Oils high in linoleic acid as well as being high in antioxidants are best.

Recommended Oils: Raspberry seed or Prickly Pear.

Read:
  • 9 Prickly Pear Oil Benefits That Will Make You Look Younger Overnight.
  • 7 Fantastic Raspberry Seed Oil Benefits - Healthy Skin For Life.

Conclusion

Looking at the omega fatty acids within an oil can give us a good indication of how the oil will benefit our skin. I hope that the above information is valuable to you and your search for the perfect oil.

There are other considerations to choosing an oil such as Vitamin E content, Polyphenol content and its vitamin/mineral content. Stay tuned for future posts about these other factors.

Have any questions? Leave them in the comments, we always answer! if you liked this article, be sure to share it with your friends.

Yours In Beauty,
Andrea

References:

  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monounsaturated_fat
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyunsaturated_fat
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleic_acid
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linoleic_acid
  • http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/micronutrients-health/skin-health/nutrient-index/essential-fatty-acids
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9692305?dopt=AbstractPlus

 

Filed Under: Articles, Oil, Skin Type Tagged With: carrier oil, linoleic acid, oleic acid, thrive

About Andrea

Andrea is passionate about helping people make the switch to a non-toxic lifestyle and find amazing natural skin care. Learn more about Andrea here. And if you have a passion that you would love to share with others, click here to learn how to share what you love - on your own website!

You May Also Like…

Chia Seed Oil Skincare Benefits
Vitamin E benefits for the skin - vitamin e content of oils
Vitamin E Benefits for the Skin – What Oils have the Highest Content
5 Miraculous Rosehip Oil Recipes for Overall Nourishment

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenny says

    December 15, 2016 at 3:06 pm

    This article just blew my mind! I have had the goal of switching to organic/natural skincare for a while now. However, I’d also like to simplify my skincare regime and products. Despite the complex nature of the information you provided, this info is actually really straightforward and simple – choose an oil with the right balance of omegas for your skin type!

    How can I follow your site so that I will be notified of new posts? Thanks for the valuable info 😀

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      December 16, 2016 at 6:55 am

      Thanks Jenny, I worked really hard on this one 🙂 Using facial oils is one way to really simplify your skin care routine. You can use them as makeup removers, you can oil cleanse and you can use them in place of a moisturizer. They are magnificent! You can subscribe to our website and get a weekly email of our latest posts. There is a subscribe box on the sidebar and one on our about page.

      Reply
  2. OSOTB says

    December 15, 2016 at 3:54 pm

    I’ve never seen all of this information laid out in one place, so it was nice being able to get all the info at once, as well as refer back to certain sections if I forgot which omega corresponds to which acid type. Definitely going to go try either pumpkin seed or prickly pear oil!

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      December 16, 2016 at 6:53 am

      A reader actually suggested this topic, she wanted to have a place where she could see the fatty acid amounts of each of the common facial oils, so I thank her for giving me the idea 🙂 Pumpkin seed and Prickly Pear are lovely oils. I am using prickly pear right now and I love the way it feels on my skin.

      Reply
      • Aleksandra says

        December 18, 2016 at 6:31 am

        Awesome article! Thank you so much for taking a time to write about the omegas!

        Reply
        • Andrea says

          December 18, 2016 at 10:10 am

          You are welcome Aleksandra!

          Reply
  3. Santiago says

    December 15, 2016 at 6:37 pm

    Hello Andrea ! Thank you for this post.
    My girlfriend is trying to switch to a non.toxic lifestyle and all this information helps a lot..Knowing which fatty acids are the ones that complement better the skin is great
    I will surely share all this knowledge about skin care.

    Best wishes

    Santiago

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      December 16, 2016 at 6:52 am

      Thanks Santiago. We put a lot of work into our articles. We try to make them thorough, but simple to read. Hopefully your girlfriend can benefit from this article. Let us know if she has any questions!

      Reply
  4. Jane Gostev says

    May 24, 2017 at 3:22 pm

    I love this article. So informative!! Thank you for writing it. I was looking for the best oil to buy for my type of skin and this is the best article I found.

    I do want to point one one thing: you recommend “sunflower oil” for acne prone skin, but this oil is not listed in the table, only safflower oil is, which is different from sunflower oil, even though both plants belong to the same botanical family. Just FYI, maybe you can add sunflower oil to the table. 🙂

    P.S. I bought Tamanu oil (before reading this) and love it even though my skin is oily, but recently I also purchased Black cumin seed and Safflower seed oils and love both as well. I want to try Sunflower oil too, so I can finally st one that is the best for my skin.

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      May 25, 2017 at 6:08 am

      Thanks Jane, yes I do need to add sunflower oil to this list. I will do that right now! I am so happy to hear that you found oils that you like. Tamanu oil is really nice, I found it a little thick, but still really nice for oily/breakout prone skin. Black cumin seed oil is great! I have only just recently been introduced to it. I have just started using a new skin care line called MOSS. It is organic luxury skin care made specifically for adult acne. MOSS uses black cumin seed oil, safflower oil and tamanu oil, among other ingredients. So far this skin care has been working great for my acne.

      Reply
  5. Manika says

    May 31, 2017 at 7:26 pm

    Wonderful summary! Just what I was looking for

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      June 1, 2017 at 6:21 am

      Thanks Manika 🙂

      Reply
  6. Maggie says

    July 6, 2017 at 4:03 pm

    Oh my gosh Andrea, what a labor of love! This took a you a good bit of time. Thank you for doing this for everyone, bringing order to valuable, but scattered bits and pieces of information! We all simply have to start making informed, wiser, healthier choices rather than continuing to be led down the ‘path of least resistance’. Thanks so much!!

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      July 7, 2017 at 7:07 am

      Thanks so much for the kind words Maggie! And you are welcome 🙂

      Reply
  7. Dustin W. J. says

    October 7, 2017 at 3:55 pm

    Thanks for the info! I’ve recently taken up soapmaking and I’m trying to learn absolutely everything that I can about: skin types, the do’s and don’ts of each skin profile, etc. This, in order to be able to provide a more complete product to the people who want it.

    Since the beginning I’ve been struggling to understand the relationships of the fatty acid profiles to skin types. While I still have some unanswered questions and some dark corners that need lit up, your information is an immense stepping stone on my way to fully understand the way our skin and hair work and what they need in order to be their absolute healthiest.

    Thanks again for a simplified version of this, somewhat intimidating topic.

    P.S. I plan to delve DEEP into the archives of this website in order to find the answers to my questions and lamps to light up my “dark corners” as it were. Lol!

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      October 11, 2017 at 6:28 am

      Thanks so much Dustin, glad you found the information useful 🙂

      Reply
  8. Saloni Kesarwani says

    November 22, 2017 at 2:38 am

    Hi…thanks for the informative article. I am taking omega3 supplement (EPA N DHA) for healthy skin, as it is acne prone, combination skin. Was wondering also if I should take flaxseed oil as another supplement along? As DHA, EPA & ALA all are required for healthy skin. Please suggest. Is it okay or hazardous to health. I am a vegetarian so don’t eat fish.

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      November 22, 2017 at 7:15 am

      Hi Saloni, Where are the omega 3’s coming from in your supplement? I am not sure if you would also need flaxseed if you are already taking a supplement. Might be a good idea to incorporate some topical oils into your skin care. Chia seed is a great option for omega 3’s. Check out these articles:

      Chia Seed Oil Skincare Benefits
      Top 10 Best Natural Face Oils for Acne : Get Clear Skin

      Reply
  9. Gina says

    January 20, 2018 at 11:23 am

    Curious if you have read much about Borage Seed Oil? I started using ShiKai brand unscented Borage Therapy lotion and it did amazing things for the dry skin on my hands. It seemed to just absorb better than anything! It’s an Omega-3 and has the highest quantity of linolinec acid of all seed oils.

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      January 22, 2018 at 6:46 am

      Hi Gina, I have read a bit about borage seed oil and have been meaning to write an article about it! I grow borage i my garden, it is such a lovely plant that the bees absolutely love! Thanks for stopping in, and check back for an article about borage seed oil coming soon 🙂

      Reply
  10. Dionne says

    March 29, 2018 at 9:49 am

    Have you heard of moringa oil? Can this be use for Ance prone skin too?

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      March 30, 2018 at 9:22 am

      Hello Dionne, thanks for your question. Yes, I have heard of Moringa oil. This oil has a very high (75%) oleic acid content, so it isn’t very good for acne-prone skin, it would be better for dry skin types.

      Let me know if you have any other questions!

      Reply
  11. Jimmy Souchester says

    June 30, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    Ouch!
    After one month of use, Prostanew (4 tabs/day) seems to work very much better than saw palmetto (6 tabs-450mg ea/day) alone which were only partially helpful. I will continue to use Prostanew to test its long-term performance, but so far I am very satisfied and have already ordered my second shipment.
    I hope this helps.
    Jimmy Souchester

    Reply
  12. Chioma Yvette says

    September 11, 2018 at 1:13 pm

    Omg. Thanks a million for this great info. I’ve been thinking of what oil to stick to based on my skin type but with this info, trust me that’s settled.
    I’d wished you do another as regards its benefits to hair types.
    Thanks once again

    Reply
    • Andrea says

      September 18, 2018 at 7:34 am

      Thanks for stopping in Chioma, I like the idea of creating a post like this for hair 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Hello, my name is Andrea, welcome to TBOSC

Free $100 gift with $125 purchase. February 9 - February 14
Detox Your Beauty Routine

Follow us

Footer

Our Blog

Check out the blog for articles, recipes, product reviews, and more.

  • Articles
  • Essential Oils
  • How To’s
  • Men’s Skincare
  • Recipes
  • Buying Guides
  • Reviews
  • Baby Skincare

Welcome

Hi, my name is Andrea. I am so glad you are here!

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Click to Learn More.

  • Disclosure
  • Privacy Policy
  • Data Access Request

Copyright © 2019 · Wellness Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in