Linoleic acid (LA) (linoleic acid)
Synopsis of linoleic acid (LA)
Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential omega-6 fatty acid required for human health but not synthesized by the body. It must be obtained through the diet, primarily from vegetable oils (e.g., safflower, sunflower, corn, soybean), nuts, seeds, and some animal fats. Linoleic acid plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity and fluidity of cell membranes, supporting skin barrier function, and regulating inflammatory pathways through its conversion into other bioactive lipids such as arachidonic acid and prostaglandins.
In moderate amounts and balanced with omega-3 fatty acids, linoleic acid supports healthy skin, immune function, wound healing, and cell signaling. However, excess intake—especially in the context of modern Western diets high in refined seed oils—has been associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, cardiovascular stress, and metabolic disturbances, largely due to imbalances in the omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
Linoleic acid is also widely used in skincare products for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and acne-reducing properties. Topically, it helps restore skin lipid balance, reduce hyperkeratinization, and improve barrier repair in dry, inflamed, or sensitive skin types.
Historical Use:
While linoleic acid was first identified chemically in the late 19th century and formally classified as an essential fatty acid in the 1930s, foods rich in LA have been consumed and valued for millennia across many cultures. Ancient diets that included nuts, seeds (like flax, sesame, and sunflower), whole grains, and pressed oils naturally provided linoleic acid—though people had no knowledge of its chemical structure.
In Ayurveda, unrefined sesame oil (rich in LA) was used internally and externally to balance vata, nourish the skin and nerves, and promote detoxification. Traditional Mediterranean diets, abundant in olive oil (lower in LA) and sunflower oil (higher in LA), recognized plant oils as vital for stamina, warmth, and digestion. Indigenous cultures that consumed wild game and seeds derived balanced levels of both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
The importance of fatty acids became more scientifically evident during the early 20th century, when researchers discovered that fat-free diets led to symptoms of deficiency such as poor growth, scaly skin, and reproductive failure in animals—later traced to a lack of linoleic acid. This led to LA’s classification as one of the first “essential” fatty acids.
Today, linoleic acid continues to be both a necessary nutrient and a subject of debate, as modern overconsumption of refined vegetable oils may contribute to inflammatory imbalances. Nonetheless, when consumed in whole-food form and in balance with omega-3 fats, LA remains a cornerstone of cellular health and skin integrity.
Linoleic acid (LA) is used for these health conditions
Cardiovascular Disease (Scientific)
Cholesterol (high) (Scientific)
Diabetes (Scientific)
Eczema (Scientific)
Fat Metabolism (poor) (Scientific)
Hypertension (Scientific)
Inflammation (Scientific)
Psoriasis (Scientific)
Skin (dry and/or flaky) (Scientific)
Skin Care (general) (Scientific)
Triglycerides (high) (Scientific)
linoleic acid (LA) is used to support these body systems
Arteries (Scientific)
Blood (Scientific)
Brain (Scientific)
Circulatory System (Scientific)
Female Reproductive System (Scientific)
Glandular System (Scientific)
Heart (Scientific)
Immune System (Scientific)
Intestinal System (Scientific)
Mitochondria (Scientific)
Prostaglandins (Scientific)
Reproductive System (Scientific)
Skin (Scientific)
