Super Omegas 3 & 6 Why they're important for supple skin.
What are omegas?
Omegas are essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA’s).
Our bodies can not naturally make nor produce essential fatty acids on their own, but they are essential to our health and wellbeing(3). Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are very delicate and should not be left in direct sunlight or heated because it will degrade the nutrient content. Due to the fact that EFA’s are such a delicate source of nutrients, many people are deficient in essential fatty acids.
To give some perspective, 80% of Americans are deficient in essential fatty acids. If you simply google any health condition in combination with deficiencies of essential fatty acids you will be able to see how much it actually is impacting the life you are living. There is no wonder as to why so many Americans, over half of the population, struggle with their health. Essential fatty acids are needed for the brain, skin and overall health.
There are several sources of omegas, but the best would be cold pressed hemp seed oil. This is because cold pressed hemp seed oil contains a 3:1 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 (1). This is very unusual and, “extra-ordinariry,” to find in oils. Mother Nature has given the best source of omega/ EFA health to us for consumption and body health.
Many oils have an omega ratio that contains way more omega 6 than omega 3, this will cause inflammation in the body and skin along with other related health problems. For a better perspective of how out of balance other oils are in comparison, the average ratio is a 1:10 ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 and they range anywhere from 1:10 to 1:50.
Oils such as flax oil, coconut oil , walnut oil, sunflower oil and many more are out of balance and can cause more damage than health. These are not balanced oils and can, as a result, throw the body and skin out of balance. The reason it is important to pay attention to omega 3 and omega 6 is because these are the only essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that are essential to the health of the body and skin.
Omegas are great for both dry and oily skin types because the essential fatty acids found in omegas balance the oil production of the skin.
There are three different types of omega 3’s
Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA) is one of the two omegas that are essential to the health of the body found in omega 3. Alpha-linolenic acid improves the skin's barrier which will give the skin a natural glow and smoothness. ALA can also reduce acne by calming and soothing the skin while reducing inflammation and balancing skin tone all simultaneously. This essential acid reduces UV damage to skin acting as a natural SPF while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) This essential fatty acid found in omega 3 balances the production of oil on the skin. EPA when applied topically to the skin will balance the oils produced by the body, significantly reducing acne, whiteheads and blackheads.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) This essential fatty acid found in omega 3 is a component that is needed for every cell in the body mainly found in the cellular membrane. Docosahexaenoic acid is vital to the structure of humans skin, eyes, and brain.
There are three different types of omega 6’s
Linolenic Acid (LA) is the second essential fatty acid that is essential for human health recommended for consumption and application. LA hydrates the skin and body, it acts as armour for skin against water, sweat, and bacteria. Linolenic acid can reduce acne and breakouts by helping the skin stay hydrated.
Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) this essential fatty acid reduces and soothes inflammation and promotes the growth of new cells. It can even help with eczema, systemic sclerosis, and psoriasis. GLA can be used as a topical moisturizer to help calm dry irritated skin
Arachidonic Acid (AA) Yet another EFA that is crucial to the health of your skin. The body naturally produces arachidonic acid during injury, and recent studies suggest that AA modulates wound repair with stem cells (2). That is a huge reason why it is great for topical use as well as ingestion, not to mention it acts as a vigorous natural anti inflammatory.
When looking for the best source of omegas, hemp seed oil would be the best source. Some would debate that you can get more EFA’s from fish oil, but that would be false because fish oil is missing alpha-linolenic acid found in omega 3.
Fish oil contains eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, but it is missing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Another claim to essential fatty acid health is flaxseed oil, which only contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and not eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) found in omega 3 (4).
In conclusion, hemp seed oil contains all known amino acids, and thus everything that the fish oil and flaxseed oil lacks.
Omegas 3 and 6 should be used topically and ingested for noticeable changes to your health.
Omegas feed your skin and brain with the nutrients it needs to properly function.
This is why my wellness company, Mya Blisse, will always incorporate cold pressed hemp seed oil into every single one of its products. I believe that health does not have to be complicated, it should be simple, raw, and organic.
• (1) mEvolution, Superfood. “Hemp Seed Oil and Its Beneficial Omega-3 Fatty Acids.” Find the Best Superfoods for Your Unique Health Goals, Superfood Evolution, 2020, www.superfoodevolution.com/hemp-seed-oil.html.
• (2) Oh, S., Lee, SJ., Jung, Y. et al. Arachidonic acid promotes skin wound healing through induction of human MSC migration by MT3-MMP-mediated fibronectin degradation. Cell Death Dis 6, e1750 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/cddis.2015.114
• (3) Potter, Laura. “Essential Fatty Acids and Skin.” Netdoctor, 10 May 2018, www.netdoctor.co.uk/beauty/skincare/a8965/essential-fatty-acids-and-skin/.
• (4) T.H. Chan, Harvard. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids: An Essential Contribution.” The Nutrition Source, HARVARD T.H. CHAN, 22 May 2019, www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/what-should-you-eat/fats-and-cholesterol/types-of-fat/omega-3-fats/.