The use of certain vitamins in skin care products is nothing new. You may be impressed by the brightening properties of vitamin C, the exfoliating benefits of vitamin A, or the anti-inflammatory components of vitamin D. While all skincare enthusiasts have favorites when it comes to vitamins in their skincare regime, not many know about the "non-vitamin" vitamin, vitamin F.
Nonetheless, learning about the amazing benefits of vitamin F will surely make u want to add it to your trusty list of skincare vitamins. You may have seen the vitamin on the list of many newly-launched skincare products, but do you know enough about why it is there? Read on to find out what vitamin F is and how it can benefit your skin.
Not a vitamin in the traditional sense of the word, Vitamin F is just a term for the combination of two fats. Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) and Linoleic Acids are two fatty acids that can give you plump, glowing, healthy-looking skin.
What is Vitamin F?
The name ‘Vitamin F’ is quite misleading for a number of reasons. This is especially because it is not a single nutrient like other vitamins such as vitamin A or C. While it is more like vitamin B, which is a vitamin complex with B3, B5, and B12, it is also not a vitamin complex.
Simply put, the term ‘Vitamin F’ is more like an abbreviation that stands for ‘fats.’ Not a real vitamin at all, the term refers to two essential fatty acids (EFAs): alpha-linolenic and linoleic in skincare. Both the EFAs fall under the category of polyunsaturated fatty acids, with ALA belonging to the family of Omega-3 while LA is an Omega-6 EFA.
Discovered in the year 1920, the fatty acids combination of vitamin F is helpful in regulating healthy body functions. Besides, it also plays a major role in supporting healthier and glowing skin. While vitamin F can promote beautiful skin, ALA and LA do not naturally occur in the human body. This is the reason you will find the non-vitamin vitamin in many skincare products these days.
Benefits of Vitamin F for the Skin
Whether you obtain vitamin F from your skincare products or diet, the ingredient can improve your skin health in many ways. Here are a few things it does and why you need more of it.
1. Locks in Moisture
The omega 6 essential fatty acid is popular for its hydrating and moisture-retaining properties. One of the major benefits of skincare, vitamin F can lock moisture into your skin and prevent moisture loss.
It maintains your skin’s natural moisture level by reducing TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss). TEWL is common in dry and aging skin, making vitamin F most suitable for such skin types.
2. Protects and Repairs the Skin Barrier
The outer layer of your skin requires special care as it protects your skin from the penetration of UV rays, germs, bacteria, pathogens, and more. Although this layer of skin is meant for protection, harsh chemicals and other conditions can often damage the protective skin barrier.
Using vitamin F topically on the skin can strengthen your skin barrier while also repairing any damage. In fact, a damaged skin barrier also often contributes to skin conditions like rosacea and eczema. So, linoleic acid in vitamin F can serve as a ceramide, too.
3. Gives a Glowing Effect
Naturally, a moisture boost is all you need to regain that natural glow of your skin. So, by providing moisture and hydration to your skin, LA can instantly boost its appearance, making it seem more glow-y and healthy-looking.
Hydration can eliminate signs of dryness and dullness, providing you with beautiful skin in no time. On the other hand, the fatty acids combination of ALA and LA can reduce inflammation and cracking of the skin.
When might you need Vitamin F
Vitamin F is important for your skin when it is dry and damaged. At Hale Cosmeceuticals we have included this key ingredient to several formulations including our Surya-SPF35 Mineral Sunscreen. Sun exposure can lead to dry and damaged skin, so we want our Surya Sunscreen to restore those lipids to the skin barrier membrane.
Sources
https://www.thezoereport.com/p/why-vitamin-f-for-skin-is-everywhere-all-of-a-sudden-19495068
https://www.byrdie.com/vitamin-f-for-skin#:~:text=In%20skincare%2C%20vitamin%20F%20is,outer%20layer%20of%20the%20skin).
https://www.instyle.com/beauty/skin/vitamin-f-skincare
