Navigating the world of dietary supplements can be intimidating, even for the most health-conscious. To make things simpler, I’d like to create a case for one capsule that has become a staple of my routine: fish oil.

Fish oil refers to the fat that’s extracted from the tissue of fish - think of especially fatty fish like mackerel and herring. 30% of that oil is comprised of Omega-3s. Although the term seems foreign, Omega-3s are actually something that our bodies produce as well. Our skin naturally contains fatty acids in the cell membrane, which is what allows our skin to retain water.

And these fatty acids - the full term is polyunsaturated fatty acids - hold immense benefits for our skin. By increasing dietary intake, these oils help us fight sun damage and fortify the skin barrier. Fish oil holds natural anti-aging properties, increasing skin elasticity that has been lost as well as speeding up the skin’s healing process.  The addition of fish oil to one’s diet can combat dry skin and eczema, and even aid acne.

One downside? Fish oil has a pretty strong taste. For that reason, the most common way to incorporate some extra Omega-3s into your diet is through a fish oil supplement. If you’re looking for a more holistic approach, foods like flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts also contain smaller amounts of fatty acids. 

Fish oil provides an alternative to topical oils that solely work on the surface of the skin. For true upkeep of the moisture barrier, try hydrating skin from the inside out. 

xo -VS Girl

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