Acne is a common condition affecting the skin that approximately 85 percent of all teenagers suffer from, according to research published in the April 2011 "Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology." If left untreated, pimples can lead to facial scarring and anxiety in some individuals. Fish oil may help to reduce the incidence of pimples.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is commonly consumed from eating fish or in supplement form. Fish oil is abundant in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids -- a type of fat that your body needs from dietary sources -- according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Unlike other sources of omega-3 fats such as flax seed oil, fish oil contains two forms of omega-3 fats known as eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. These two forms of omega-3 fats are significantly more potent than omega-3s derived from plants.
Acne
According to a paper published in the October 2008 issue of "Lipids in Health and Disease," there are several underlying causes of acne including genetics, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, mental anxiety and overactive sweat glands. They add that certain aspects of the diet -- including the intake of dietary fats -- can have a profound impact on the development and severity of acne.
Connection
Fish oil can reduce levels of chronic inflammation -- a natural process in your body that becomes harmful if prolonged. Inflammation can result in clogged pores and overproduction of sweat from sweat glands. According to the July 2011 "Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society," people who regularly consume fish oil from food sources have lower rates of acne than those who seldom eat fish. The "Lipids in Health and Disease" paper reported that supplementing with omega-3 fish oil improved symptoms of acne in a small group of patients with chronic acne.
Considerations
While what is in hand as of 2011 is promising, very little evidence exists showing that supplementing with fish oil or consuming large amounts of dietary omega-3 fats can improve acne. Because fish oil can interact with certain medications, check in with your doctor before you take fish oil. Other ways to minimize acne include making regular visits to your dermatologist, avoiding cosmetics that clog pores and washing your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser.
References
- "Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology"; Management strategies for acne vulgaris; K Whitney et al.; April 2011
- "Lipids in Health and Disease"; Acne vulgaris, mental health and omega-3 fatty acids: a report of cases; M Rubin et al.; October 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "Journal of the Egyptian Women's Dermatologic Society"; Role of diet in acne: a descriptive study; N Saleh et al.; July 2011
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