Does fish oil cause acne?

Some fish oil users have observed the appearance of acne after its consumption, but this does not mean that fish oil causes acne. There are others who have benefited from its use Observing improvement in hair shine nails smoothness and skin condition including acne. Knowing about the distinguishing features of fish oil may enable us to form our discrete opinion in this regard. We know that fish oil is a polyunsaturated fat, but lets us first try to know what it means as it would enlighten us on weather or not fish oil causes acne.

What is saturation? 

All the living cells contain carbon atom in their molecular structure. A carbon atom has four vacancies that can be filled by hydrogen atoms to form a molecule of long chain fatty acid or fat. If all the four positions are filled, the molecule is saturated and doesn’t want anymore atoms, therefore it is inactive.

In case of one vacancy the molecule is monounsaturated and in case of more than one vacant position, the molecule is polyunsaturated. On account of its deficiency, it is attracted to gain oxygen from atmosphere and get ‘oxidized’ or ‘rancid’ in common words. It is this degree of unstauration than correlates with the activity of a molecule and determines its physical state too.

Effect of saturation on physical state 

Saturated fats, like hydrogenated or hardened palm kernel oil are solids without refrigeration, while monounsaturated oils like olive oil are liquid without refrigeration but tend to solidify on freezing. Polyunsaturated fats also known as essential fatty acids do not solidify even on freezing .

It is this distinguishing feature of fish oil which bears on its ability to cause or prevent acne. Fish oil or polyunsaturated oils contain two essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, the former is known for its ability to reduce Androgen in skin, thereby reducing sebum and ultimately acne too.

Anti Inflammatory fish oil 

It has been established that fish oil can reduce inflammation. It is by dint of this anti inflammatory property, that fish oil has been used in the treatment of arthritis and joints pain. Inflammation of skin has a correlation with acne. Depending upon the degree of inflammation, an acne related skin disorder like whiteheads, black heads or pimples may appear.

Fish Oil Cause Acne?

Depending upon its quality fish oil may either improve or aggravate the condition of acne. The impact of inferior quality fish oil can not be expected to be as beneficial as that of a superior quality product, especially in view of its intrinsic unsaturated nature.

Unlike cocoa butter; a well known bland fat used in cosmetics and chocolates, fish oil has its own typical unpleasant odor. No one likes the annoying fish burps or fishy aftertaste therefore good quality fish oil is usually presented in capsules with enteric coating which makes it odorless.

Coclusion 

There is medical evidence that fish oil reduces inflammation and androgen content. This provides sound basis to coclude that fish oil, does not cause rather prevents acne.