Ingredient glossary
Linoleic Acid
On your shelf ✓What Linoleic Acid does for your skin, who it suits, and what to watch for.
INCI: Linoleic Acid · Also: LA
In short: Linoleic Acid delivers barrier support and hydration, suits most skin types, and the evidence behind it is strong.
- What it does
- Barrier support, hydration
- Best for
- Dry, Combination, Oily skin
- Evidence
- Strong
The molecule
The Glow take
One of the ingredients I trust most.
When your goal is calming breakouts and congestion, Linoleic Acid delivers, and the research properly backs it up. It tends to suit dry skin best.
— Maya
What it does
- barrier support
- hydration
- anti acne
strong evidenceA double blind cross-over trial with around two percent linoleic acid showed about twenty five percent reduction in microcomedone size and barrier studies support its role alongside ceramides and cholesterol in optimized repair mixtures.
On a label: usually effective at 1-2%.
Who it's for, and who should skip it
Tends to suit
- acne prone
- oily
- combo
- dry
- compromised barrier
Approach with care
No specific group flagged to avoid it.
- Clogs poresLow
- Irritation riskLow
How it fits each skin type
- DrySuits
- CombinationSuits
- OilySuits
- SensitiveNeutral
Often chosen for acne prone, compromised barrier.
Where it fits in your routine
Plays well with
- ceramides
- cholesterol
- retinoids
Linoleic Acid, answered
Is Linoleic Acid safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Linoleic Acid is considered safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with anything, if you are unsure it is worth a quick word with your doctor or midwife.
Who should avoid Linoleic Acid?
No specific group is flagged to avoid Linoleic Acid. It is well tolerated by most skin. Still, introduce anything new one product at a time.
What concentration of Linoleic Acid actually works?
Linoleic Acid tends to do its job in the 1 to 2% range. Much lower and it is likely underdosed.
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