Essential Fatty Acids – Powerful Nutrition for Skin Health
It’s no secret that for skin to thrive, it needs an abundance of nutrients. From Vitamins to minerals to healthy fats and protein, the skin depends on a balance of super nourishment from the inside out.
With the increase of processed foods and unhealthy lifestyles, it’s no wonder that people lack the necessary nutrients to ensure healthy skin. In fact, did you know that in the Western world, we are most commonly deficient in Essential Fatty Acids? As EFAs are a vital component of cellular health, this is a huge problem.
This blog delves into the fascinating world of Essential Fatty Acids and discovers how GERnetic skincare has understood their importance for decades.
What are Essential Fatty Acids?
Essential Fatty Acids are fatty acids that the human body cannot make on its own. We can only get them into our system through our food. Think Omega-6 and Omega-3, which play an important role in brain and nervous system health, hormone production, heart health and skin integrity. So, as you can see, EFAs truly are ESSENTIAL!
We should all be including sources of Essential Fatty Acids in our diets. Firstly, what foods are rich in EFAs?
- Omega-3 (derived from Alpha-linolenic acid or ALA)
Is found in oily fish, nuts, avocado, flaxseed, walnut and chia oils, plus certain types of algae. - Omega-6 (derived from Linoleic Acid)
Is found in many plant oils, nuts, seeds and quality protein.
While it is vital to consume EFAs orally, research has shown that they can make a significant impact on skin health when applied to the skin.
Essential Fatty Acids For Skin
As the largest organ of the body, the skin is both complex and fascinating. With the rise in inflammatory skin conditions, taking care of the skin barrier is crucial.
The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, is a specialised layer that protects the body from the harsh aspects of our environment; UV, pollution, toxic chemicals, and infection, to name a few.
The lipid matrix holds this outermost layer of skin cells, composed of ceramides, cholesterols, and fatty acids. The skin barrier is often described as the ‘bricks and mortar’, which acts as a security guard for your skin, preventing potential problems from passing through.
If this barrier is weak or damaged, irritants can penetrate, and skin becomes sensitive, leading to a whole host of skin issues. Many skin issues, such as dryness, acne and chronic inflammation, will link back to the skin barrier.
One of the most critical functions of the skin barrier is to protect it from trans-epidermal water loss. As this term suggests, it locks in moisture to keep skin soft, supple and firm. When the skin barrier is damaged, the quick loss of water leaves the skin feeling tight and dehydrated. As a result, you may suddenly experience irritation from products you have been using for a long time, and the skin becomes red and inflamed.
Now, this is where Essential Fatty acids can make a huge difference. Healthy cell membranes require EFAs – without them, skin cannot function optimally. These polyunsaturated fats also help boost the skin’s natural oil barrier. This is vital in keeping the skin hydrated, plumper and younger-looking. When the body is deficient in this essential nutrient, the skin will become dry, flaky, itchy, and inflamed from lack of water retention.
Topical Essential Fatty Acids: The Benefits
EFAs are one of the top skin-loving ingredients. They promote smooth, even, younger-looking skin, and with exceptional plant-derived EFAs, they easily incorporated into skincare. For optimal results, you should be including EFAs in your diet and applying them topically. Here are some of the incredible ways EFAs can benefit the skin:
- Strengthen and smooth the surface layers of the skin
- Boost hydration and promote water retention
- Calm signs of oxidative stress, including redness and sensitivity
- Eliminate signs of flaky, dehydrated-looking skin
- Deliver antioxidants to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
GErnetic is no stranger to understanding and promoting the benefits of EFAs on skin health. Created over 60 years ago by French Cellular Biologist Dr Albert Laporte, GERnetic began life to assist in the healing of severe burns. Through ongoing research, Dr Laporte went on to create an innovative, powerful range of skincare products for the masses. Moreover, he spent 50 years researching how skincare products can be most effectively absorbed into the body. As a result, he understood that the skin could rebuild itself when precisely dosed nutritional elements are delivered to it. GERnetic is a superfood for the skin, and the results speak for themselves.
Many of GERnetic’s products use powerful, plant-derived EFA ingredients to support cellular health, tackle ageing signs, and deeply nourish the skin.
Some of the Essential Fatty Acids used in GERnetic products include:
- Calendula oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Argan oil
- Lithotamnium, from coral red seaweeds
With the power to reduce inflammation, soothe, fight cell damage and prevent the early signs of ageing, EFAs are a must-have in any skin care regime.
This unique ingredient is a synergy of the health and beauty worlds because it provides essential nutrition to the body, while also bringing radiance to the skin.
Taking care of the body internally and externally is the key to radiant, younger-looking skin. Here at GERnetic, we believe this holistic way of treating the skin is the true solution to long-term skin health.