Women today are well versed in the A-Z of skincare ingredients that work wonders for the skin. While it’s good to be updated with new skincare trends, it can get a bit overwhelming to decide which ones to add to your routine. Sometimes, it feels like there is a new ‘It’ ingredient every single week; you can’t keep splurging your savings on all of them.

Yet, when we first heard about vitamin F for skin we knew we had to get our hands on it. Why? Simply because dermatologists were the ones touting its benefits. It also seems to pop up a lot in some of our existing skincare products. And yes, we’ve also heard mentions of it from Insta beauty gurus who bring you the best of trendy ingredients!

So, what exactly is vitamin F and how does it help your skin? Let’s find out!

 

What is vitamin F?

What is vitamin F?

FYI: Unlike vitamin A, C and E, vitamin F isn’t actually a vitamin; it is a combination of two fatty acids. Also, your body can’t make vitamin F on its own, so it is essential to acquire it from external sources.

A combination of linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid, vitamin F reduces inflammation, controls sugar and maintains overall mental health. It is primarily found in foods like plant oils- olive, corn, soybean, flaxseed. Chia seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, almonds and egg yolk also contain vitamin F in various quantities.

 

How does Vitamin F help your skin?

How does Vitamin F help your skin?

While vitamin F has multiple benefits for your body, it can also be applied topically as well. Typically found in moisturisers and facial oils, the ingredient has moisturising and anti-inflammatory benefits for your skin. It is known to deeply nourish the skin’s barrier, strengthening it in the process. This makes vitamin F a favourite among people who deal with issues like eczema and psoriasis.

One of the major draws of vitamin F is that unlike other supercharged ingredients (like retinol and peptides), it works well when combined with other active ingredients. It also soothes irritated skin, locks in hydration and keeps the skin looking plump for hours!