Spotlight on Omegas

Far from just being components of a healthy, well-rounded diet, omegas are also an important part of your everyday skincare routine too. Read on to discover how they can benefit you…

What are omegas?

Omegas, or fatty acids, are important dietary fats that should be consumed as part of a balanced diet. While there are 11 different omegas in total, omega-3, -6 and -9 are probably the ones you’ve heard of. Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, a term which refers to their chemical makeup. Because our bodies can’t produce these on their own, they’re also referred to as ‘essential fatty acids’. Amongst their many benefits, omega-3s help support energy production, contribute to healthy brain function and help reduce inflammation, so supplementing them in your diet is crucial; find them in oily fish, plant oils and nuts and seeds such as flaxseeds and chia seeds, yet it’s the one we seem to lack the most, so a good supplement we always rate is Bare Biology.

Like omega-3s, omega-6 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats and are also essential, as the body doesn’t produce them. Another important source of energy, yet health professionals say the Western diet is probably having too much in balance to Omega-3 so try not to overdo things like vegetable oils and mayonnaise. Omega-9 fatty acids are monounsaturated in structure and unlike the others, are produced in abundance in the body. Good news then, as scientists believe that a diet rich in this fatty acid can contribute to a decrease in inflammation, something which may be beneficial to people with inflammatory conditions like arthritis; if you want to up your intake, olive oil is an excellent source of omega-9.

While Vitamin E is fat-soluble vitamin renowned for its high antioxidant quota, and not a fatty acid, it shares many similar properties as omega-3 and so the two can be taken together for a turbo-charged anti-inflammatory effect.

Why are omegas good for your skin?

As well as being hugely beneficial to your body, omega fatty acids can have a huge impact on your skin. Acting like building blocks for cell membranes, omegas are responsible for keeping skin smooth and supple. And because they help create the skin’s natural oil barrier and help strengthen the skin's defence system, they also keep skin hydrated and plumped up.

Given the potent anti-inflammatory properties of omega fatty acids, it’s no wonder that should also feature in your skincare routine, as well as your diet. Ideally suited to all skin types, including sensitive skin, omega fatty acids help reduce inflammation, redness and irritation, and keep dehydration and flakiness at bay.

Using omegas in skincare

While we know that oily fish has a very high quota of fatty acids, thankfully you don’t need to start applying fish oil to your face to reap the rewards. As with your diet, look to get a well-rounded variety of omega-3, -6 and -9 in your topical routine to really boost hydration and reinforce skin against external environmental stressors. While omega-3 can be found in flaxseed, chia oil and hemp seed oils, grapeseed and passionfruit oils are rich in omega-6 and omega-9 can be found in soy, meadowfoam, wheat germ, cranberry seed (the only oil that has a perfect ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids) and sunflower oils. Happily, omega fatty acids are a versatile skincare ingredient and can be incorporated in various different formulations, including cleansers, moisturisers and serums.

Inside our Perfect Night’s Sleep Face Oil

As well as being a wonderful source of antioxidants and vitamins, our Perfect Night’s Sleep Face Oil is abundant in skin-strengthening omega fatty acids, which work overnight to restore skin’s innate glow.

In addition to skin-softening almond oil, itself a good source of omega fatty acids and vitamin E, the potent formula contains wheatgerm, rosehip, soybean and cranberry seed oils. Rich in vitamin E, omega-3, -6 and -9, this line-up of star oils helps to protect and repair against UV and environmental damage, reduce inflammation, boost hydration and elasticity and firm and even out skin’s texture.

Combined with our signature Perfect Night’s Sleep essential oil blend of lavender, sweet basil and jasmine plus sweet orange, Mandarin and geranium (which also work wonders for skin) the result is an oil that works hard to erase the signs of stress and damage and restore the skin as you sleep, so that you can wake feeling rested and looking refreshed and radiant.

Shop Our Multi-Tasking Supercharged Face Oil Right Here...

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