Linoleic acid is an essential fatty acid that your skin needs to function properly—it helps build your skin barrier, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. Studies show people with acne, eczema, and psoriasis often have problems processing linoleic acid correctly, suggesting topical products with linoleic acid or linoleic-rich oils could help address these conditions.

This is a review article that analyzed existing research on linoleic acid, mostly from animal studies and lab-grown skin cells rather than human trials. The authors summarized what scientists have discovered so far about how linoleic acid works in skin.

Funding not disclosed in abstract