Omega-3 fats are among the most studied nutrients.
They’re abundant in foods like walnuts, seafood, fatty fish, and certain seed and plant oils. They’re subdivided into three types: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Omega-3 fats are renowned for their powerful health benefits, including their potential to fight depression, lower inflammation, and reduce markers of heart disease. Plus, one lesser-known perk is that they may benefit your skin and hair
1. May protect against sun damage
Omega-3s may protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
Studies have shown that supplementing with a combination of DHA and EPA — two long-chain omega-3s — may reduce the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays (5Trusted Source).
In one small study, participants who consumed 4 grams of EPA for 3 months increased their resistance to sunburns by 136%, while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group (6Trusted Source).
In another study, participants who applied EPA- and DHA-rich sardine oil to their skin after UVB exposure experienced around 25% less skin redness, compared with the control group. However, other types of omega-3s did not exert the same effect (7Trusted Source).
There’s some evidence that omega-3s may also reduce the severity of symptoms of certain photosensitivity disorders, including skin rashes or fluid-filled blisters following UV exposure (5Trusted Source).
Summary
Omega-3s may increase your skin’s resistance to sunburns, reduce the severity of skin redness after UV exposure, and alleviate the symptoms of certain photosensitivity disorders. However, more research is needed.
1. May protect against sun damage
Omega-3s may protect against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Studies have shown that supplementing with a combination of DHA and EPA — two long-chain omega-3s — may reduce the skin’s sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays (5Trusted Source).
In one small study, participants who consumed 4 grams of EPA for 3 months increased their resistance to sunburns by 136%, while no significant changes were observed in the placebo group (6Trusted Source).
In another study, participants who applied EPA- and DHA-rich sardine oil to their skin after UVB exposure experienced around 25% less skin redness, compared with the control group. However, other types of omega-3s did not exert the same effect (7Trusted Source).
There’s some evidence that omega-3s may also reduce the severity of symptoms of certain photosensitivity disorders, including skin rashes or fluid-filled blisters following UV exposure (5Trusted Source). However, there are few studies on this topic, and more research is needed before conclusions can be made.
SUMMARYOmega-3s may increase your skin’s resistance to sunburns, reduce the severity of skin redness after UV exposure, and alleviate the symptoms of certain photosensitivity disorders. However, more research is needed.
2. May reduce acne A diet rich in omega-3s may help prevent or reduce the severity of acne. Omega-3s have been shown to reduce inflammation, and new evidence suggests that acne may be primarily caused by inflammation. Hence, omega-3s may indirectly fight acne (2Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
A few studies have reported a decrease in acne lesions when supplementing with omega-3s, either alone or in combination with other nutrients (9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source, 11Trusted Source, 12Trusted Source).
Omega-3 supplements also appear to reduce the side effects of isotretinoin, a drug commonly used to treat severe or resistant acne (13Trusted Source).
However, few studies have observed the effects of omega-3s alone — rather than in combination with other compounds — and effects appear to vary by individual. Thus, more research is needed.
3. May guard against dry, red, or itchy skin
Omega-3s may moisturize the skin and fight red, dry, or itchy skin caused by skin disorders like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
That’s because omega-3s appear to improve skin barrier function, sealing in moisture and keeping out irritants (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).
In one small study, women who consumed around half a teaspoon (2.5 ml) of omega-3-rich flaxseed oil daily experienced a 39% increase in skin hydration after 12 weeks. Their skin was also less rough and sensitive than that of those in a placebo group (16Trusted Source).
High intake of omega-3s has also been linked to a lower risk of atopic dermatitis in infants and improved psoriasis symptoms in adults. Nonetheless, other studies have been unable to replicate these results (17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source, 19Trusted Source).
4–6. Other potential skin and hair benefits
Omega-3s may also offer additional benefits.
May accelerate wound healing. Animal research suggests that omega-3s delivered intravenously or applied topically may quicken wound healing, but human research is needed (21Trusted Source).
May reduce the risk of skin cancer. Diets rich in omega-3s may prevent tumor growth in animals. However, research in humans is needed to confirm this (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).
May boost hair growth and reduce hair loss. Test-tube and animal studies suggest that omega-3s may boost hair growth. More studies on the effects of omega-3s on hair growth and loss in humans are needed (24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).
It’s important to note that only a small number of studies have investigated these benefits in humans. Plus, the studies often used multiple supplements at once, making it difficult to isolate the effects of omega-3s from those of other supplements. Hence, more studies are needed.
The bottom line
Omega-3s are healthy fats found in fish, seafood, and plant foods like walnuts, flax seeds, hemp seeds, and chia seeds.
In addition to their powerful health benefits, these fats may benefit your hair and skin. Though research is limited, they appear to boost your skin’s resistance to sunburns, reduce acne, and protect against dry, red, and itchy skin.
All in all, these healthy fats are an easy and worthy addition to your diet, as they not only benefit your hair and skin but also your overall health.
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