Fatty Acid
Vitamin F
Moisturizing, healing, protective
Key Benefits
- Supports the moisture barrier
- Replenishes essential lipids
- Helps reduce dry, rough feel
- Improves suppleness
How It Works
Ingredient Details
INCI Name: Varies by supplier; commonly Linoleic Acid and Linolenic Acid
Ingredient Type: Essential fatty-acid complex
Best For
Dry skin · Barrier-stressed skin · Normal skin · Rough or tight-feeling skin
Research
View Ingredient Research →What It Is
What It Does
Vitamin F FAQs
Common questions about this ingredient in skincare.
Is Vitamin F a real vitamin?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Vitamin F is not a single vitamin in the classical nutritional sense. It is a cosmetic and historical term used for essential fatty acids, especially linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids."}]}]}
What does Vitamin F do for skin?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Vitamin F ingredients help condition the skin, replenish lipids, and support a soft, flexible moisture barrier. The exact benefit depends on which fatty acids or derivatives are used."}]}]}
Why is linoleic acid important to the skin barrier?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Linoleic acid is used in the formation of omega-O-acylceramides, specialized lipids that are important to the structure of the epidermal permeability barrier."}]}]}
Is every Vitamin F ingredient the same?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"No. A raw material may contain free fatty acids, plant oils, esters, or a proprietary blend. Always check the INCI list and supplier documentation before comparing formulas."}]}]}
Can Vitamin F be used with retinoids or exfoliating acids?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Usually yes. Lipid-supportive ingredients are often paired with retinoids or exfoliants to improve comfort, but the tolerability of the complete product and routine matters most."}]}]}
Is Vitamin F suitable for sensitive skin?
{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"It can be useful in gentle barrier-supportive formulas, but no ingredient is universally tolerated. Sensitive or reactive skin should introduce new products gradually and patch test when appropriate."}]}]}
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Products Featuring Vitamin F
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