If Your Skin Is Lacking Bounce, You May Need More Of This Nutrient

Which nutrient, you ask? We're referring to omega-3 fatty acids. (If your brain jumps to salmon, yes, you're on the right track.) Here, we discuss how omega-3s affect your skin and how to make sure you're getting enough in your day-to-day—even if you're not a frequent fish eater. 

Plenty of research backs up the omega-3 and skin connection, too. One comprehensive review of 38 studies found that omega-3 supplements help balance the skin's inflammatory response1.* The researchers consider omega-3 supplements especially useful for skin health, given their "high safety profile, low cost, and ease of supplementation."* (Safety, accessibility, and ease are all things you want in a stellar beauty supplement, no?) Another study2 found that participants who combined omega-3 supplements with topicals had improved overall skin health and appearance compared to those who only used topicals.*

So we know that omega-3 fatty acid intake can help improve and protect the skin, but how do we make sure we have enough?* You see, Americans aren't eating nearly enough fish—we're talking an average intake of only 4 ounces3 per week, when research suggests American adults should log 7 to 8 ounces at a minimum. That's your starting point. However, that doesn't mean you have to eat salmon every night of the week (which can get pretty expensive; high-quality fish isn't cheap!). To get your fill of those skin-healthy fats, that's where supplementation comes into play, like mindbodygreen's omega-3 potency+.* 

Not to mention, the research we discussed above focused on omega-3 supplements and found some pretty impressive results. So if you're craving that elusive "bounce" in your skin, it may be worth looking into omega-3 fatty acid supplements.* And for what it's worth, the benefits go far beyond beauty: Some other benefits of omega-3s include keeping up cardiovascular well-being, improving brain function4, mood balance5, and so much more.* If you want to learn more about omega-3 benefits and functions, check out our breakdown here.

Although topicals are important for healthy skin, they don't necessarily do it all. It's important to take care of your skin from the inside out, especially if you're looking to attain bouncy, hydrated skin. If you aren't consuming enough fish (and most of us aren't), you may be missing out on those essential omega-3 fatty acids that contribute to overall healthy skin.* And even if you do eat fish semi-regularly, you may want an additional, targeted, and guaranteed source of EPA and DHA since you know how important they are. That's where supplements can really make a difference—just be sure to look for a formula with high potency and sustainably sourced ingredients.