Omega-3 and Beauty: Skin That Speaks of Health

The skin is the largest organ of the human body. With this record, it's hard to believe its health wouldn't affect that of the whole organism! For this reason, taking care of it and protecting it from the effects of time is not just a matter of vanity; rather, defending it from aging means protecting the body’s first line of defense against numerous external factors, from ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun to various microbes, and including harmful chemicals and radiation. And just as its aging depends on external causes (like UV rays themselves) and internal ones (such as genetic factors), the skin can be protected from the outside or from within, by providing it through diet with nutrients and bioactive compounds capable of promoting its integrity and function.

Indeed, an inadequate nutritional status can have detrimental effects on both the structure and biological properties of the skin. For example, a diet rich in refined sugars or fats can promote skin inflammation; but not all fats are harmful—in fact, a deficiency in so-called “good” fats is associated with inflammatory processes right at the epidermal level. Moreover, insufficient availability of certain fats can lead to dry skin, flaking, sagging, increased susceptibility to irritation, and delayed wound healing. And, contrary to what one might think, deficiencies in certain fats can also lead to clogged sebaceous glands and the appearance of blackheads.

Among these “good” fats are Omega-3s, molecules with well-known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, whose deficiencies can be easily avoided thanks to the wide availability of dietary supplements that help make up for an intake that is often insufficient for various reasons.

Omega-3s, a shield against skin aging

Many of the benefits of Omega-3s for skin health are attributed precisely to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, useful for counteracting oxidative stress and inflammation at the root of various dermatological conditions and skin aging.

Two classic examples of how Omega-3s can alleviate skin inflammation are psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, but similar mechanisms come into play when the goal is to counteract the effects of UV rays. These rays are among the main culprits of skin aging. In addition to destroying collagen (the protein that forms the structural scaffold of this organ), UV rays promote skin dryness, induce unsightly spots, and damage the DNA of skin cells—a phenomenon that promotes tumor formation.

In particular, a derivative of Omega-3s found in fatty fish like anchovies and sardines and other marine organisms (maresin 1) suppresses swelling and inflammatory cell infiltration in the skin induced by UVB exposure. Moreover, maresin 1 inhibits the cell death of epidermal cells, oxidative stress, and the production of pro-inflammatory molecules triggered by UVB rays.

Other derivatives of marine Omega-3s (protectin D1 and resolvin D1) promote the healing of wounds caused by external or internal factors that alter the skin surface, such as the metabolic dysfunctions typical of diabetes—a disease often associated with aging. Others (like resolvin D2) have been linked to suppression of the development of cancer cells that specifically affect the skin; again, their effect seems to act through an anti-inflammatory mechanism.

How to consume Omega-3s for healthy, beautiful skin

To harness the benefits of Omega-3s, they must be consumed through diet. The best strategy is to choose sources of biologically active Omega-3s, namely EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), which are abundant in fatty fish and marine oils (from fish, cod liver, krill, and microalgae). In fact, our body cannot efficiently produce these Omega-3s from their precursor found in plant-based “terrestrial” sources like walnuts and flaxseeds.

So go for the aforementioned anchovies and sardines, but also mackerel, salmon, tuna, swordfish, and high-quality marine oil-based supplements, which are an excellent solution if you are allergic or simply do not enjoy fish, and to reduce exposure to health-harming contaminants unfortunately present in fish, such as mercury.

Once consumed via food or supplements, Omega-3s integrate into cell membranes, altering their composition and influencing metabolism and other cellular processes. In the case of skin specifically, their intake has been linked to reduced inflammation, dryness, and irritation. To enhance their benefits, they can be combined with other active ingredients with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties—just like OMEGOR® Antiage does, a supplement born from the awareness that protecting our cells from oxidative stress requires more than one ingredient—it must be tackled on multiple fronts with ingredients working in synergy.

In a formula easily absorbed by the body, OMEGOR® Antiage combines EPA and DHA from fish with vitamin E, resveratrol, and turmeric:

• Vitamin E is a lipophilic antioxidant (and therefore pairs well with fatty substances like Omega-3s), also known as the “youth vitamin.” Widely used in cosmetics, it protects cell membranes from oxidative stress. Its deficiencies are associated with worsening skin issues, while supplementation has been linked to improvements in symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions (psoriasis and atopic dermatitis). Additionally, it appears to have photoprotective effects and help stabilize the skin barrier.
  
  
• Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol mainly known for its protective properties on the cardiovascular system, but it can also influence wound healing, regenerative abilities, and photoaging of the skin. Specifically, it has been linked to skin protection against UVB damage, improved collagen synthesis, and reduced wrinkles. In damaged tissues, it activates factors that promote skin regeneration.
  
  
• Turmeric is a source of curcumin, another natural polyphenol with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric-based supplements have been associated with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory molecules known to play a role in the proliferation of skin cells.

The OMEGOR® Antiage formulation is further enriched with gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an anti-inflammatory Omega-6 fat with proven benefits for skin health. Various skin problems, including excessive exfoliation, are linked to deficiencies in this fat; meanwhile, higher intake of its precursor (linoleic acid) is associated with a lower likelihood of age-related dry skin and skin atrophy.

GLA is considered an essential fat for skin function. When applied topically as a cream, it only penetrates the outermost layer (composed of dead cells). But when taken orally, it can exert its beneficial action in deeper layers, promoting cohesion and preventing water loss through the epidermis.

In OMEGOR® Antiage, GLA is included in the form of Borago officinalis L. seed oil, recognized for its nutritional properties for the skin. Take 1 or 2 capsules daily just before a main meal: this will help improve the absorption of its active ingredients, including Omega-3s. And discover all the other ways these precious fats can help you stay healthy despite the passage of time by reading the Omegor Blog!

Bibliographic references:

Januszewski J, Forma A, Zembala J, Flieger M, Tyczyńska M, Dring JC, Dudek I, Świątek K, Baj J. Nutritional Supplements for Skin Health—A Review of What Should Be Chosen and Why. Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Dec 29;60(1):68. doi: 10.3390/medicina60010068

Leis K, Pisanko K, Jundziłł A, Mazur E, Męcińska-Jundziłł K, Witmanowski H. Resveratrol as a factor preventing skin aging and affecting its regeneration. Postepy Dermatol Alergol. 2022 Jun;39(3):439-445. doi: 10.5114/ada.2022.117547

Michalak M, Pierzak M, Kręcisz B, Suliga E. Bioactive Compounds for Skin Health: A Review. Nutrients. 2021 Jan 12;13(1):203. doi: 10.3390/nu13010203

Sawada Y, Saito-Sasaki N, Nakamura M. Omega 3 Fatty Acid and Skin Diseases. Front Immunol. 2021 Feb 5;11:623052. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.623052

Thomsen BJ, Chow EY, Sapijaszko MJ. The Potential Uses of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Dermatology: A Review. J Cutan Med Surg. 2020 Sep/Oct;24(5):481-494. doi: 10.1177/1203475420929925