Due to its composition rich in fatty acids and vitamins, camelina oil would present, among other things, numerous effects that help to preserve skin health. Let's examine them more closely in this article.
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What are the benefits of camelina oil on the skin?
Summary
- Benefit #1: Camelina oil would hydrate the skin
- Benefit #2: Camelina oil could reduce skin inflammation
- Benefit #3: Camelina oil could potentially enhance wound healing
- Benefit #4: Camelina oil could slow down skin aging
- Sources
Published February 1, 2024,
updated on October 4, 2024,
by
Kahina, Scientific Editor
—
7 min read
Benefit #1: Camelina oil would hydrate the skin.
Thecamelina oil could potentiallyhydrate the skin. A study conducted by Anna K. SHOVELLER and her colleagues evaluated the effects of 16 days of oral supplementation with camelina oil (8.2 g of oil/100 g of total food intake) on the quality of the coat and the skin barrier in 30 dogs. It was found that the softness of the skin, the shine, and the intensity of the color increased compared to the initial situation.
This can be explained by the presence ofessential fatty acids in thecamelina oil, such as omega-3 (α-linolenic acid) at a higher rate than other vegetable oils (27.9%). Provided by diet, α-linolenic acid allows the synthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Both influence the production of skin lipids like ceramides, which are essential for maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier.
Overall, they allow for the formation of a lipid barrier on the skin that helps to maintain skin hydration, making it more supple and less prone to dryness. Indeed, a previous study showed that a supplementation with fish oil, a rich source of EPA and DHA, improved the quality of the skin and coat of dogs after 8 weeks compared to the initial situation.
Topical application of camelina oil is also beneficial. It contains phytosterols which have the ability to capture and retain moisture, making them effective moisturizers as demonstrated by numerous studies. The topical application of these compounds supports the hydrolipidic film present on the surface of the epidermis and helps to limit transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The moisturizing properties of phytosterols are particularly important for individuals with dehydrated skin that is prone to tightness and discomfort.
However, it is important to note that there are no studies that have demonstrated a moisturizing effect from the direct skin application of camelina oil.
Benefit #2: Camelina oil could reduce skin inflammation.
Camelina oil is rich in omega-3, which are also known for their anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. They increase the synthesis of anti-inflammatory lipid mediators (resolvins and protectins) and compete with arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid that enables the production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandin and leukotrienes. This will then modulate the inflammatory response.
These results are supported by studies on the modulation of the inflammatory response by omega-3s, particularly those of Karsten H. WEYLANDT and Jing X. KANG. Given that camelina oil is a significant source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (with a rate exceeding 55%), it is hypothesized that it could have the property of reducing skin inflammation, thereby helping to alleviate redness and soothe irritations.
However, the results on skin inflammation from the use of camelina oil are weak.
Benefit #3: Camelina oil could potentially enhance wound healing.
A study conducted by Raluca PAPACOCEA and her team in 2019 aimed to demonstrate the effect of the topical application of camelina oil on skin renewal and the healing process. This was examined through its impact on epithelialization, a crucial component of wound healing measured by the expression of cytokeratin 5/14, involucrin, and transglutaminase, as well as its effect on the restoration of the dermis through the acceleration of the fibroblast cell cycle and the amplification of collagen synthesis.
Camelina oil (0.2%) significantly stimulated the expression of cytokeratin 5/14, transglutaminase-1, and involucrin, suggesting a epidermal restoration. Furthermore, camelina oil is active in stimulating the S and G2/M phases of the fibroblast cell cycle, corresponding to DNA duplication and entry into mitosis, thereby allowing to increase the rate of cell division and leading to rapid cellular regeneration.
They also observed a boost in collagen synthesized by the fibroblasts treated with camelina oil, with an increase of 22% compared to the control after 48 hours of treatment. The camelina oil thus facilitated the acceleration of dermo-epidermal synthesis by stimulating the differentiation and renewal of keratinocytes, as well as the cellular division of fibroblasts and the synthesis of collagen.
The modulation of the inflammatory response triggered by the presence of omega-3 in camelina oil, as previously mentioned, also facilitates wound healing, particularly through collagen synthesis. Additionally, omega-6, present in small amounts in camelina oil (18.7%), acts as a coagulant and aids in speeding up wound healing.
Benefit #4: Camelina oil could slow down skin aging.
Although there is currently no scientific evidence demonstrating any effect of the direct application of camelina oil on skin aging, camelina oil contains a significant concentration of tocopherols (70mg/100g), which are fat-soluble antioxidants. These act as a free radical scavenger (by donating an electron to stabilize the radicals), created by oxidative degradation, which can occur as a result of stress induced by oxygen, light, or heat, for example. However, this action may contribute to slowing down skin aging.
Furthermore, a study conducted by Natalia ROŞOIU and her colleagues demonstrated a strong correlation between the concentration of camelina oil (in solution with hexane, ranging from 1% to 10%) and the SPF (Sun Protection Factor). They observed that as the concentration of camelina oil increases, the recorded SPF also increases.
| Concentration of Camelina Oil (%) | SPF |
|---|---|
| 1% | 3.66 |
| 10% | 22.24 |
This result may suggest a potential effect of integrating camelina oil into sunscreens to combat premature skin aging related to UV rays. However, the mechanisms that allow camelina oil to have this property are not yet known, and further studies are necessary to explore this aspect of its use.
However, camelina oil should never replace sun protection, with a minimum SPF 30.
Sources
WEYLANDT K.H. & KANG J.X. Modulation of inflammatory cytokines by omega-3 fatty acids. Lipids in Health and Disease (2008).
PAPACOCEA R. & al. Regenerative and scare healing potential of active compounds from Camelina sativa oil and grape pomace. Romanian Biotechnological Letters (2019).
ROŞOIU N. & al. Preliminary data regarding the Use of camelina oil in some dermatocosmetic formulations. Academy of Romanian Scientists (2019).
Thèse de Sonia LEPELTIER. Etude ethnobotanique de Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz (2021).
SHOVELLER A.K. & al. Effects of dietary camelina, flaxseed, and canola oil supplementation on inflammatory and oxidative markers, transepidermal water loss, and coat quality in healthy adult dogs. Frontiers in Veterinary Science (2023).
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