The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Linolenic Acid

The Beauty & Personal Care Brand Builder Series

Ingredient Deep Dive

Linolenic Acid

The Omega-3 Barrier Lipid

Linolenic Acid is an omega-3 essential fatty acid found in seed oils such as flax and rosehip, and a key building block of a healthy skin barrier.

In skincare it helps replenish barrier lipids, soften and condition the skin, and support a calm, comfortable, well-moisturized-looking surface.

Quick Insights

Ingredient Rating:

GOOD

Type of Ingredient:

Barrier Support and Emollient

Intended Function:

An omega-3 essential fatty acid used for barrier support, softening and skin comfort.

Common Applications:

Used in serums and masks and night creams and moisturizers.

Target Audience:

Brands building barrier-repair, soothing and nourishing skin care.

Also Known As:

Linolenic Acid, Alpha-Linolenic Acid, Omega-3 Fatty Acid

Benefits of Linolenic Acid

An omega-3 essential fatty acid used to replenish barrier lipids and soften, comfort the skin.

Barrier Support: Replenishes essential lipids for a stronger-looking barrier.
Softening: Conditions and smooths the look and feel of skin.
Soothing Comfort: Helps skin feel calmer and more comfortable.
Moisture Retention: Supports a well-hydrated-looking surface.
Essential Lipid: An omega-3 the skin uses to keep its barrier healthy.

How It Works

Essential fatty acids are structural components of the skin’s barrier and its natural lipids; topically, linolenic acid helps top up those lipids, soften the surface and support a calmer, better-protected-looking barrier. Benefits are described at the level of the appearance and feel of the skin.

Formulating with Linolenic Acid

Linolenic Acid is oil-soluble and added to the oil phase. It pairs well with other emollients and lipophilic actives. Observe good manufacturing and preservation practice. As a polyunsaturated lipid it is best paired with antioxidants and protected from oxidation.

Safety Analysis

Linolenic Acid is well tolerated at cosmetic use levels. As always, substantiate the finished product’s safety (e.g. patch / HRIPT testing) in line with MoCRA requirements.

References

https://incidecoder.com/ingredients/linolenic-acid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-Linolenic_acid

https://cosmeticanalysis.com/cosmetic-ingredients/linolenic-acid

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