LINOLEIC ACID

Description: LINOLEIC ACID — essential fatty acid, barrier repair, anti-inflammatory.

All Functions: essential fatty acid, barrier repair, anti-inflammatory

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Linoleic acid (LA) is an essential fatty acid that your skin uses to maintain its barrier and overall health
• Your skin metabolizes linoleic acid into different compounds, including ones that help build ceramides (lipids that seal moisture in)
• Low or disrupted linoleic acid metabolism is linked to acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea
• Topical linoleic acid may support skin barrier repair, wound healing, and reduce inflammation, based on cell and animal studies
• Human clinical evidence is limited; most research uses laboratory or animal models rather than people

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🧪 LINOLEIC ACID

LINOLEIC ACID

CAS Number: 60-33-3 (CIS)

Also Known As: —

Category: emollient

EC Number: 200-470-9 (CIS)

Korean Name: 리놀레익애씨드

9,12-Octadecadienoic acid (9Z, 12Z)-

LINOLEIC ACID is an emollient ingredient used in skincare formulations.

🌍 Regulatory Status

📊 Comedogenicity

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Linoleic acid is one of the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acids naturally present in human skin (Exp Dermatol, 2026). Once in your skin, it doesn’t stay unchanged—your body processes it through three main pathways: burning it for energy via beta-oxidation, building it into complex lipids like ceramides that strengthen your skin barrier, and converting it into bioactive signaling molecules that trigger various skin responses (Exp Dermatol, 2026). #1: Barrier repair and skin conditions. The upper layer of your skin (the epidermis) uses linoleic acid primarily through lipid-building and enzymatic conversion pathways to maintain keratinocyte function—essentially the health and behavior of your skin cells (Exp Dermatol, 2026).

Research has found that skin diseases including acne, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis are associated with disrupted linoleic acid metabolism (Int J Mol Sci, 2024). In particular, studies in animals and cell models suggest that topically applied linoleic acid or linoleic acid-rich vegetable oils can repair the skin barrier and promote wound healing (Int J Mol Sci, 2024). #2: Anti-inflammatory and protective effects. Cell and animal studies indicate that linoleic acid exhibits anti-inflammatory effects and may offer photoprotection (sun damage protection) (Int J Mol Sci, 2024). One human-relevant study found that higher linoleic acid levels are associated with lower risk of rosacea, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, and that linoleic acid appeared to reduce inflammation by activating a cellular signaling pathway called PPAR-gamma, which reduced harmful reactive oxygen species in skin cells (Life Med, 2025).

#3: Wound healing support. Linoleic acid from plant sources like guava seed oil, which is naturally rich in this fatty acid, was shown in laboratory tests to increase the migration of keratinocytes (skin-forming cells), suggesting it may aid skin wound healing (Phytother Res, 2019). Important limitations: Most evidence comes from cell cultures and animal models rather than human clinical trials. The sources note that further clinical research is needed to fully understand linoleic acid’s mechanisms and confirm its real-world benefits in skincare (Int J Mol Sci, 2024; Exp Dermatol, 2026). The relationship between dietary linoleic acid intake and skin health is also not established in these sources—research focuses on topical application or tissue-level metabolism.

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

🧴 Products Containing LINOLEIC ACID

• Blistex Blistex Lippenpflege Lip Infusions Hydration
• TABAC TABAC’S original bartshampoo & conditioner
• unilever, dove DOVE Crème Hydratante Corps Soie Pot 300ml
• palmers hemp oil relief body lotion
• Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Root Touch-Up Permanent Hair Color, 4R Dark Auburn
• Unilever, Dove dove body lotion
• Acofarma Vivera, jabón de manos aceite de almendras dulces y miel
• Superdrug Vitamin e intesive all over body cream
• Bonté, Bonté Everyday Shampooing naturel Passion et Camomille
• Unilever, Dove Dove Lait Corps Original Pompe 250ml
• La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo (+) Unifiant Teinte Light
• Clinique Clinique For Men Anti-Age Eye Cream 15 ml
• palmers cocoa butter hemp oil
• Wholly Kaw King of Oud
• Origins Ginzing Refreshing eye cream
• ordinary suncream
• Honest Beauty Calm On Foaming Cream Cleanser
• Kate Somerville DeliKate Soothing Cleanser
• Sephora Beauty insider
• dove lotion avacodo

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Wang X et al. (2024). The Role of Linoleic Acid in Skin and Hair Health: A Review. Int J Mol Sci.
• Kritchevsky D (2000). Antimutagenic and some other effects of conjugated linoleic acid. Br J Nutr.
• Wang M et al. (2025). Linoleic acid improves rosacea through repairing mitochondrial damage in keratinocytes. Life Med.
• Jiang M et al. (2026). Skin Metabolism of Linoleic Acid: Enzymatic Pathways and Roles in Skin Homeostasis. Exp Dermatol.
• Prommaban A et al. (2019). Linoleic acid-rich guava seed oil: Safety and bioactivity. Phytother Res.