PUFAs are not always a guarantee for optimal skin results.

When fats don’t always help: PUFAs and your skin

In skincare, you often hear terms such as “hydrating,” “natural,” or “anti-aging.” One type of fat receives remarkably little critical attention: PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). These fats are widely found in plant-based oils and are frequently used in cosmetic products. Yet on the skin, they often fail to deliver the results people expect.

PUFAs: chemically unstable

PUFAs contain multiple double bonds in their molecular structure. These make the fats chemically unstable and highly susceptible to oxidation, especially when exposed to light, oxygen, and heat. In skincare, this means that PUFAs degrade quickly and lose their original effectiveness.

When a product consists largely of PUFAs, this can result in the skin being unable to effectively absorb or utilize these fats. Instead of nourishing the skin, they remain on the surface or oxidize, making their contribution to skin repair minimal.

What this means for the skin

When fats do not fulfill their function properly, the skin receives insufficient support. This can manifest as a tight, dry, or uncomfortable feeling. In sensitive or compromised skin barriers, this may lead to redness, tension, and an unsettled complexion. Instead of protection and repair, additional stress is placed on the skin.

In this context, PUFA-rich products do not contribute to long-term skin improvement and may even disrupt the skin’s natural balance.

Tallow: a stable alternative

A more effective alternative is tallow. This traditional fat contains a natural composition of fatty acids that closely resembles the lipid structure of human skin. As a result, it is better recognized and absorbed.

Tallow is also oxidatively stable, allowing it to retain its effectiveness and consistently support the skin. It helps strengthen the skin barrier, prevents moisture loss, and provides a comfortable, nourished skin feel, even for sensitive skin.

Brands such as Tallow Cosmetics use this ingredient in products like the Emulixr Balm, where tallow is combined with carefully selected fats and vitamin E. This formulation nourishes and protects the skin without instability undermining its effectiveness.

Conclusion

PUFAs do not provide a reliable foundation for effective skincare. Due to their instability and limited functional contribution, they often fail to deliver the results that are promised. Products that rely heavily on them lack the structural support the skin needs.

A well considered formulation with stable, skin-compatible fats such as Tallow demonstrates that true skin improvement is not about popular ingredients, but about stability, absorption, and barrier function.