Table of contents:
- The function of essential fatty acids for your facial skin
- Do you need to use essential fatty acids for the face?
- Where do you get essential fatty acids?
The skin needs a variety of nutrients to keep it healthy and radiant. This can be obtained from the food, drink, or care products that you use. One of the nutrients needed is essential fatty acids, such as omega 3 and omega 6. However, is it necessary to use these fatty acids for the face? Come on, see the explanation in the following review.
The function of essential fatty acids for your facial skin
Source: Cure Joy
Essential fatty acids (essential fatty acids / EFA) are fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body and must be supplied from outside.
Essential fatty acids consist of omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.These fatty acids are obtained from foods, such as fish, nuts, and seeds.
Apart from food, it turns out that essential fatty acids are also available in the form of oils, which are also found in several skin care products.
In the skin, essential fatty acids have an important role, namely preventing the occurrence of TEWL (Transepidermal Water Loss), which is the loss of water flowing from the body through the epidermis (outer skin layer).
In addition, essential fatty acids also have active compounds that are antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.
The study conducted by Oregon State University also looked at the role of essential fatty acids for facial health.
Omega 3 fatty acids are known to provide protection to the skin from sun-induced damage and aging.
In addition, essential fatty acids also reduce the appearance of sensitive skin reactions and symptoms of inflammation due to skin diseases.
Do you need to use essential fatty acids for the face?
Using essential fatty acids can indeed keep the skin looking healthy.
However, you need to know that not everyone needs to add essential fatty acids in their skin care. The reason is, these nutrients can be obtained easily from food.
Most of the essential fatty acids in certain oils have not been tested for their effectiveness in maintaining the health of facial skin. To find out more, you can consult a dermatologist.
This is a different case in people who are deficient in EFAs. The condition leads to dry, inflamed, and prone to blackheads. Fortunately, this skin condition is rare.
In addition to general skin care, your doctor may recommend using your doctor's essential fatty acids to reduce the onset of symptoms.
This treatment will be more effective when accompanied by medical treatment and a healthy lifestyle.
Where do you get essential fatty acids?
In your diet you can get these essential fatty acids from salmon, sardines, mackerel, walnuts, soybeans, flaxseeds, and eggs fortified with omega 3.
You can process this food into various menus as you wish. Remember, how to cook it must be right so that the nutrients are not damaged.
If you are interested in getting the benefits of essential fatty acids for the face, you can choose several essential oils, such as:
- Sunflower seed oil
- Safflower oil
- Linseed oil
- Borage oil from plants Borago Officinalis
- Plant-based evening primrose oil Oenothera biennis
Before using oils with these essential fatty acids, it is safe to do a sensitivity test first. This is done to avoid the occurrence of a severe allergic reaction after use.
The trick, put a little of the oil on the skin of the hands. Then, let stand for an hour to see the reaction.
If there is a stinging sensation, itching, and redness, you should immediately wash your face with running water and cancel your intention to use oils with these essential fatty acids on facial skin.
