What it is
Linoleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid that occurs naturally in many plant oils and in the skin's own lipids. In cosmetics it is used to soften and condition skin and can support the skin's lipid barrier. Because it is polyunsaturated, it is prone to oxidation and is usually stabilized within oils or formulated with antioxidants.
Safety & warnings
Linoleic acid is generally well tolerated and is considered low on the comedogenic scale, in contrast to oleic acid; some formulators favor linoleic-rich oils for blemish-prone skin. Being polyunsaturated, it can oxidize, and oxidized fatty acids may be more irritating, so antioxidant stabilization is important.
Origin & sourcing
Naturally occurring fatty acid found abundantly in vegetable oils such as safflower, sunflower, soybean, and grapeseed; it can be isolated from these sources or supplied as a component of plant oils.
Questions everyone asks
Is linoleic acid pore-clogging?
It is generally rated low for comedogenicity and is often preferred over more oleic-rich oils for blemish-prone skin.
Why is linoleic acid added to skin care?
It works as an emollient and conditioning agent and is one of the fatty acids naturally present in the skin barrier.