Welcome to a new episode of our podcast special on the unique nutrient krill oil. This special substance has attracted a great deal of attention in recent years due to its health-promoting effects on the heart, eyes, brain, liver, and joints. But would you have thought that the skin can also benefit from krill oil? That is exactly what we are going to discuss today: how krill oil can support daily skincare and skin protection.
The skin: an underestimated organ
Let's start with an introduction to the most underestimated organ: the skin. We usually only pay attention to our skin when it hurts or when parts of it do not meet our beauty standards. Sometimes we also view it as a mirror of our health and lifestyle. In any case, radiant, healthy skin makes us more attractive and boosts our self-confidence.
We should cherish our skin in every state. It is the largest organ in our body, part of our immune system, and our highly sensitive boundary between the inside and the outside. This boundary consists of various layers.
How is the skin structured and what functions does it perform?
On the outside lies the epidermis, whose top cell layer consists mainly of dead cells and oils. This layer is important for keeping the water in the body and the deeper cells hydrated. About 30 percent of the water in the human body is located in the skin. The top layer normally keeps this water inside. If the stratum corneum is disturbed, the skin becomes scaly and dry.
Below the epidermis lies the dermis, also known as the corium. It contains sweat glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings, with the help of which humans perceive temperature, pressure, and pain. This middle layer is rich in collagen and elastic fibers, the production of which decreases with age, causing our skin to lose firmness and beauty.
Then there is the subcutaneous tissue, the so-called subcutis. It lies below the dermis, as the Latin word "sub" suggests. It is the deepest layer of the skin and consists of fat and connective tissue as well as blood vessels. Its job is to insulate the body, cushion it, and regulate body temperature. The subcutis is important for the layer of skin above it, as it supplies it with blood and nutrients.
Toxins are excreted through the skin via sweating. It also stores important nutrients like vitamin D. Above all, however, it serves as a protective barrier against pathogens, harmful UV rays, and environmental pollutants. The skin contains immune cells that recognize and ward off such unwelcome visitors. Our skin has a lot to do, and we should support it in its efforts.
Why is skincare so important?
And now to the topic of skincare and why it is so important. As a rule, we associate skincare with aesthetic motives. We want to come as close as possible to the common ideal of smooth, radiant skin with a healthy complexion. Dry or oily skin, pimples, blackheads, acne, or rosacea are then annoyances that should be combated or at least concealed.
However, it is worth pausing and understanding skin blemishes as signals from our body. Perhaps we are under too much stress, eating the wrong foods, or exposing ourselves to too many toxins. Disturbed skin texture can be a sign that we need to take better care of ourselves.
Taking care of the skin is important not only for aesthetic reasons but also to support the essential functions of this versatile organ and to promote our health.
The effects of krill oil on the skin
Which brings us directly to krill oil and the question of its effect on the skin. Krill oil, with its long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, has a wide range of positive effects on the organism. It can help improve the external beauty of the skin while simultaneously promoting the health and well-being of our largest organ, the skin.
Krill oil has gained increasing importance in recent years. Its positive effects for skincare are now also being recognized.
As a reminder: Krill oil is extracted from small crustaceans from the Antarctic. It is rich in the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, astaxanthin, phospholipids, and choline. This unique combination of nutrients makes it a true aid for the well-being of the skin.
These mentioned ingredients of krill oil can support the skin's appearance in many ways. They help the skin to retain or regain its natural moisture. Furthermore, they improve skin elasticity, inhibit inflammation, combat oxidants, and maintain a healthy skin barrier. Krill oil can support the skin from the inside out in its daily work. Let's take a detailed look at the ingredients of krill oil.
Omega-3 fatty acids for radiant skin
Let's start with the well-known omega-3 fatty acids. They are known to improve skin elasticity, reduce dryness, and, above all, reduce or inhibit inflammation. They play a crucial role in maintaining the protective function of the skin layers and help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Omega-3 fatty acids are primarily in the focus of science because of their anti-inflammatory effects, for example in the prevention and treatment of inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, or neurodermatitis. A balanced diet supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids with their anti-inflammatory properties can support skin health(1).
But why is krill oil in particular so interesting with its omega-3 fatty acids? The unique thing about the omega-3 fatty acids from krill oil is their composition, as they are bound to phospholipids.
Phospholipids: the key to skin hydration
And what function do phospholipids have for the skin? Phospholipids are a specific type of fat that is abundant in krill oil. They are an essential component of cell membranes and help to keep the skin supple. By maintaining the skin's moisture content, phospholipids can help reduce dryness and flaking, leading to smoother and healthier-looking skin.
I will now name the four most important processes by which phospholipids support skin health:
First of all, the formation of the lipid barrier: The outermost layer of the skin, the stratum corneum, consists of lipids, including phospholipids. This lipid layer forms a barrier that keeps harmful substances out and prevents water from evaporating from the skin.
Moisture retention: Phospholipids have a hydrophilic, i.e., water-loving, head group and hydrophobic, i.e., water-repellent, tail groups. This structure allows phospholipids to bind water and store it in the skin. As a result, the skin remains well-hydrated and does not dry out.
Moisture regulation: Phospholipids help to maintain the skin's moisture content by reducing transepidermal water loss – abbreviated as TEWL. TEWL is the process by which water evaporates from the skin. Phospholipids slow down this process and help protect the skin from drying out.
Maintaining skin elasticity: Adequate hydration of the skin is crucial for its elasticity and suppleness. Phospholipids support these properties and help to minimize the appearance of dryness lines and rough skin patches.
As you can hear, phospholipids are of crucial importance for maintaining healthy and well-hydrated skin. Krill oil, which is rich in phospholipids, represents a natural source of these important lipids.
Choline: a key nutrient for the skin
Another valuable component of krill oil is the nutrient choline. This essential nutrient is involved in the production of phospholipids, which maintain the structural integrity of skin cells. Choline also helps to reduce inflammation in the skin.
Let's take a closer look at the positive effects of choline on skin health:
- Integrity of cell membranes: Choline is a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid found in cell membranes. The integrity of cell membranes is of crucial importance for the health of skin cells. An intact cell membrane protects the cell from damage and keeps it functional.
- Anti-inflammatory effect: Choline can have an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation is often the cause of skin problems such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
- Antioxidant effect: Choline can help reduce oxidative damage in the skin. Oxidative stress from free radicals can lead to premature skin aging. Choline itself is not an antioxidant, but as a precursor to phosphatidylcholine, it plays an indirect role in promoting the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms. In addition, choline can indirectly support the formation of antioxidants.
- Hydration: Choline can help strengthen the skin's moisture barrier. An intact moisture barrier is important for retaining moisture in the skin and preventing dehydration.
- Wound healing: Choline can support skin regeneration and wound healing. It contributes to the formation of cell membranes and tissue, which is helpful in repairing skin injuries.
- Skin pigmentation: Choline is also involved in the synthesis of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Balanced melanin production is important for even pigmentation of the skin.
Remedy for acne
Just before we finish, we would like to address a frequently asked question from our customers. Can taking krill oil be useful for acne?
Far more annoying than a few pimples or blackheads are skin diseases like acne. Blemished skin can trigger unpleasant itching and impair self-esteem.
A remarkable study from 2014(2) has shown that the intake of omega-3 fatty acids can help to significantly improve the appearance of skin blemishes like acne. The subjects of this study took omega-3 fatty acids and reported a significant reduction in redness, inflammation, and skin irritation.
Krill oil for daily skincare
Another study investigated the effect of krill oil on skin health. For this open-label, double-blind study, 31 subjects – middle-aged men and women with normal skin – were randomly selected. The participants took three grams of krill oil daily for 13 weeks. Skin measurements showed that the skin became significantly more hydrated and elastic as a result, and TEWL decreased significantly.(3)
Conclusion
Let us now come to the conclusion: A balanced diet supplemented by the omega-3 phospholipids and choline from krill oil supports the largest part of our immune system, the skin. Healthy skin is a symbol of beauty and – more importantly – of health. Therefore, one should certainly rely on krill oil for holistic skincare and the prevention of skin problems.
Thank you for your interest and see you next time.
1.) International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2020 Jan 23;21(3):741
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31979308/
2.) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24553997/
3.) Source: https://www.akerbiomarine.com/hubfs/Krill oil consentrate book.pdf, pp. 20-21.
Here you can find more podcast episodes from the Medicom health podcast Krill Oil Special. Everything about krill oil and health.
If you are interested in skin topics, you can find a post here on Beautiful skin: Pay attention to this food
