The Fatty Acids and the Skin: A Focus on the N-6 Family of Unsaturated Fatty Acids
November 2012
New to Linoleic Acid? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This review explains that linoleic acid deficiency can lead to skin and growth issues but notes that such deficiencies are rare in well-nourished Western populations; it reports no new clinical findings. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
Linoleic acid (18:2(n-6)) was identified as an essential fatty acid crucial for maintaining skin health, with deficiency leading to symptoms like increased trans-epidermal water loss, scaly skin, hair loss, and poor growth due to its role in the lipid structure of the skin's barrier. A dietary intake of 1 energy% of linoleic acid was deemed sufficient to prevent these symptoms, and it was noted that Western diets typically exceed this requirement, making deficiency rare. Additionally, metabolites of linoleic and arachidonic acids were suggested to play roles in skin inflammation, sebum production, and cell processes, though the scientific understanding of these functions was incomplete, preventing specific therapeutic recommendations.
