Seed oils ("greasy foods"), often high in omega-6 fatty acids, can contribute to inflammation in the body, a factor known to exacerbate acne. Additionally, these oils can alter the composition of sebum, potentially leading to clogged pores and increased acne breakouts.
High Levels of Omega-6 Fatty Acids: Seed oils are high in omega-6 fatty acids. These types of fats, when consumed in large amounts, can lead to inflammation within the body, including the skin. Inflammation is a known aggravator of acne.
Altering Sebum Composition: There is some evidence suggesting that the consumption of certain seed oils can change the composition of sebum produced by the skin. For example, a 2014 study found that the consumption of sunflower seeds was positively correlated with acne.
Consumption vs. Topical Use: While some seed oils might have beneficial anti-inflammatory properties when used topically, their consumption can lead to different results. For instance, linoleic acid in sunflower seed oil might be beneficial topically, but consuming sunflower seeds showed a positive correlation with acne.
Imbalance in Omega-6 and Omega-3 Ratio: The typical American diet already has an excess of omega-6 fatty acids compared to omega-3 fatty acids. This imbalance can lead to systemic inflammation, which in turn can exacerbate acne and other skin issues.
High PUFA Content: Seed oils are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly omega-6 fatty acids. PUFAs are more prone to oxidation compared to saturated and monounsaturated fats. The increased lipid peroxidation associated with PUFAs can lead to higher levels of MDA, a marker of oxidative stress.
The significant decrease in the antioxidant enzyme biomarkers, as well as the significant increase in the lipid peroxidation marker, indicates the compromised oxidant–antioxidant balance in patients with acne vulgaris
https://journals.lww.com/jewds/fulltext/2015/05000/evaluation_of_biomarkers_of_oxidant_antioxidant.10.aspx
Serum analysis showed significantly higher levels of carbonyl contents, malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO, in acne patients compared with healthy controls (P < 0.05). Interestingly, not only there were an increased number of subjects positive for carbonyl contents, but also the levels of these oxidants were significantly increased with the increase of the disease activity (P < 0.05). In addition, a significant correlation was observed between the levels of carbonyl contents and the GAGS scores (r = 0.341, r = 0.355, and r = 0.299, respectively). Furthermore, sera from acne patients had lower levels of SOD and GSH compared with healthy control sera.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23325743/
"In patients with acne, the balance between oxidants and antioxidants is altered. The most commonly used markers to assess OS in acne were MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD, which were measured in blood samples (serum/plasma/erythrocytes). "
Popa, G. L., Mitran, C. I., Mitran, M. I., Tampa, M., Matei, C., Popa, M. I., & Georgescu, S. R. (2023). Markers of Oxidative Stress in Patients with Acne: A Literature Review. Life (Basel, Switzerland), 13(7), 1433. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13071433(edited)
Integrated targeted serum metabolomic profile and its association with gender, age, disease severity, and pattern identification in acne:
Male subgroup
No significant differences were noted in androgens, serum lipids, EAAs, and cytokines. Two NEAAs and sum of NEAAs were significantly lower in the acne group (Table 4 and Fig 1).
Female subgroup
No significant differences were found in the cytokines. Among androgens, DHEA-S, and among serum lipids, palmitic acid were significantly higher in the acne group. Three EAAs and sum of EAAs were significantly lower, while one NEAA and one of the other AAs were significantly higher in the acne group (Table 4 and Fig 1).
Adolescent subgroup
No significant differences were observed in EAAs and cytokines. Among androgens, DHEA-S, and among serum lipids, linoleic and oleic acids, were significantly higher in the acne group. One NEAA was significantly lower in the acne group (Table 4 and Fig 1).
Adult subgroup
No significant differences were found in androgens, serum lipids, and cytokines. Five EAAs, two NEAA, sum of EAAs, and sum of NEAAs significantly lower, while two NEAAs were significantly higher in the acne group (Table 4 and Fig 1).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6968861/(edited)
"Serum MDA levels (P =.047) were higher in patients with severe acne compared to control group, while serum GSH levels (P =.001) were lower."
Caliş, B., Yerlikaya, F. H., Ataseven, A., Temiz, S. A., & Onmaz, D. E. (2022). Oxidative Stress-Related miRNAs in Patients with Severe Acne Vulgaris. Indian journal of dermatology, 67(6), 657–661. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijd.ijd_467_22
