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Lipids & Fatty Acids

Lipids include fatty acids such as omega-3s, structural fats like ceramides, and carrier oils used in both supplements and skincare. They are essential for cell membranes, skin barrier function, and hormone production. Browse 27 entries in this category.

Pale golden oils, a glass dropper, and softgel capsules
Editorial illustration

Illustrated guides

Selected entries interpreted through varied editorial art and photography.

Layered paper collage with a cream swatch and translucent oil-paper circle

Ceramides

The natural fats that glue skin cells together — replenished topically to repair a compromised barrier.Gouache still life of a cream swatch and pale lipid-like flakes on an olive tabletop

Cholesterol (Skincare)

A skin-barrier lipid used in creams; evidence about balanced lipid mixtures is not proof for cholesterol alone.Golden softgels and pale oil arranged with flax seeds

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Essential fats from fish and algae (EPA and DHA) that support heart, brain, and eye health.Cut-paper olive leaves and olives beside a glass dish of pale oil

Squalene

An unsaturated skin-surface lipid and cosmetic emollient, distinct from hydrogenated squalane and from evidence of a skin treatment.

Lipids & Fatty Acids

  1. 01Algal OilThe vegan source of omega-3 DHA — farmed from microalgae, bioequivalent to fish oil, and the origin of the marine food chain's DHA.
  2. 02Almond OilThe gentle, vitamin-E-rich skin oil — a hypoallergenic classic for dry skin, massage, and everything in between.
  3. 03Argan OilMorocco's liquid gold — a vitamin-E-rich oil with genuine skin-barrier data and a sustainable-forest backstory.
  4. 04Avocado OilThe skin-penetrating kitchen oil — oleic-rich moisture for dry skin, with a cooking career and a quiet eczema trial record.
  5. 05Borage OilThe richest GLA source in existence — evening primrose's stronger cousin for skin and inflammatory support.
  6. 06Castor OilThe FDA-approved laxative that moonlights as a hair oil — ricinoleic acid does the heavy lifting both ways.
  7. 07CeramidesThe natural fats that glue skin cells together — replenished topically to repair a compromised barrier.
  8. 08Cholesterol (Skincare)A skin-barrier lipid used in creams; evidence about balanced lipid mixtures is not proof for cholesterol alone.
  9. 09CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid)The beef-and-dairy fat that became a diet pill — small, real fat-loss effects with an insulin-sensitivity caveat.
  10. 10Coconut OilThe saturated-fat darling of health food — a superb skin and hair oil whose LDL-raising effect deserves honesty.
  11. 11Cod Liver OilThe vitamin-D-plus-omega-3 classic — the supplement that ended rickets, with a vitamin A ceiling to respect.
  12. 12Evening Primrose OilThe classic GLA supplement — a skin and PMS staple whose best modern evidence is modest, with topical use leading the pack.
  13. 13Flaxseed OilThe richest plant source of omega-3 ALA — heart-healthy, but no substitute for fish oil's EPA and DHA.
  14. 14Grapeseed OilThe light carrier oil of the wine industry — high in linoleic acid and vitamin E, elegant for skin and high-heat cooking.
  15. 15Hemp Seed OilCannabis's non-psychoactive cousin — a perfectly balanced 3:1 omega-6-to-3 oil for skin and salad alike.
  16. 16Krill OilOmega-3s in phospholipid form — better absorbed than fish oil per gram, with astaxanthin and a smaller dose requirement.
  17. 17LecithinThe phospholipid emulsifier from soy or sunflower — a choline source with modest brain and liver claims.
  18. 18Marula OilAfrica's fast-absorbing luxury oil — oleic-rich, antioxidant-loaded, and the texture behind a thousand 'glow' products.
  19. 19MCT OilFast-burning fats from coconut that skip normal digestion — ketone fuel with modest evidence and a GI learning curve.
  20. 20Olive OilThe Mediterranean cornerstone — the best-evidenced dietary oil for cardiovascular health, with a quieter skincare résumé.
  21. 21Omega-3 Fatty AcidsEssential fats from fish and algae (EPA and DHA) that support heart, brain, and eye health.
  22. 22PhosphatidylserineThe brain-cell membrane phospholipid — modest evidence for age-related memory and stress, now plant-sourced.
  23. 23Safflower OilThe light, linoleic-rich oil — a skincare favorite and heart-healthy cooking swap with a mostly outdated belly-fat claim.
  24. 24Sea Buckthorn OilThe orange superberry oil — rare omega-7 for skin and mucosa, with evidence for dryness, cardiometabolic markers, and more.
  25. 25SqualeneAn unsaturated skin-surface lipid and cosmetic emollient, distinct from hydrogenated squalane and from evidence of a skin treatment.
  26. 26Sunflower OilThe neutral kitchen-to-skincare workhorse oil — linoleic for barrier repair, high-oleic for cooking, and one of the most common cosmetic emollients.
  27. 27Tamanu OilThe Pacific wound-healing oil — calophyllolide's documented skin-repair chemistry with a small but credible clinical file.