Mala McAlpin We already know that certain healthy fats can have wonderful benefits on the skin, the ageing process, and countless functions of the body, the most well known perhaps being fish oil and its effects on brain function, hair, skin and nails.
With the nutraceuticals (ingestible beauty) trend set to continue climbing well into the new year, your clients’ knowledge and demand for education in this field will undoubtedly grow in turn. Arguably, Omega 3s and Omega 6s have the most extensive list of benefits when it comes to skin health, so if you or your clients have ever wondered exactly how they affect the skin from within, here is a quick guide:
Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Most commonly found in oily fish, nuts such as walnuts, and seeds like hemp, chia and flax, studies suggest that Omega 3 Fatty Acids boast the following benefits:
- Shown to have a positive effect on the phospholipid bilayer, helping retain moisture levels
- They fortify cell membranes, which require a constant influx of fatty acids to function, allowing better protection from damage and overall maintenance of healthy skin
- Suggested to protect cells against sun-induced damage
- Proven to help reduce inflammation through the regulation of Prostaglandin compound production
- This influence of inflammatory response means a reduction in itching and flare-ups of conditions such as Eczema
- They produce a family of hormones called prostaglandins, which regulate sebaceous production
- They target leukotrienes, which are known to provoke allergies and various skin conditions
Omega 6 Fatty Acids
Omega 6s, an essential component of the human diet, are found at their highest levels in seed oils like safflower and sunflower. They work synergistically alongside Omega 3s, and often receive a bad rep for producing negative effects on the body and actually increasing inflammation, but this simply occurs when they are not correctly balanced with omega 3s, which is thought best at a 1:1 ratio. This perfect balance of essential fatty acids is what’s responsible for optimum cellular function.
Omega 6s are even known to demonstrate improvement of some types of chronic disease. For example, Gamma-linolenic acid, which can be found in Evening Primrose oil, has been shown in various studies to:
- Reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
- Reduce nerve pain in diabetic neuropathy sufferers
- Relieve dry/itchy skin conditions
- Reduce high blood pressure
Considering essential fatty acids can only be sourced through diet, and achieve best results only when combined in a specific ratio, nutraceuticals may indeed make a lot of sense to any of your clients wanting quick and easy delivery systems. Beauty Boosters Complexion Perfection combines fish oil for Omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids with Evening Primrose oil (Gamma-linolenic acid) in order to achieve the perfect balance, healthy cellular development and hormone production, and in turn, glowing skin from the inside out.
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