Linoleic Acid

Essential omega-6 fatty acid required for cellular function, skin barrier integrity, and inflammatory signaling, though excess intake may promote inflammation

Scientific nameLinoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) FormulaC18H32O2 Molecular weight280.45 g/mol CAS60-33-3

95 absorption score

7 safety / 10

15 USD per month

6 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

Linoleic Acid with:

90 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Essential cellular membrane function

Critical component of cell membranes affecting fluidity and function

Incorporates into phospholipids maintaining optimal membrane composition Evidence A-grade 2-4 weeks for membrane incorporation

Skin barrier function and integrity

Essential for skin lipid barrier formation and water retention

Key component of ceramides and skin barrier lipids Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks for skin barrier improvements

Growth and development support

Required for normal growth, reproduction, and tissue repair

Essential for cellular proliferation and tissue maintenance Evidence A-grade Ongoing with adequate intake

Immune system function

Necessary for proper immune cell membrane function and signaling

Affects immune cell membrane composition and inflammatory signaling Evidence B-grade 4-8 weeks for immune benefits

Cholesterol metabolism support

May help maintain healthy cholesterol levels when replacing saturated fats

Polyunsaturated fat that can improve lipid profiles Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks for cholesterol benefits

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Collagen Peptides Skin health & joint support 5-15g B 85% Bone Broth Collagen Gut healing & collagen support 20-40g powder B 85% Vitamin B7 (Biotin) Hair, skin & nail health 300-5000 mcg A 80% Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Energy & skin health (no flush) 100-1000 mg A 88% Marine Collagen Anti-aging & skin health 5-15g A 95% Astaxanthin Superior antioxidant & skin protection 4-12mg B 20%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Linoleic Acid + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) High omega-6 intake reduces omega-3 benefits Needs attention 40

Linoleic Acid + DHA High omega-6 intake reduces DHA effectiveness Needs attention 58

Linoleic Acid + Omega-3 + Curcumin + Vitamin D Triple Anti-Inflammatory Formula High omega-6 intake counteracts omega-3 benefits Needs attention 70

Linoleic Acid + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Linoleic Acid + Vitamin D3 Protects linoleic acid from oxidation and cellular damage Works better together 90

Linoleic Acid + Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Protects linoleic acid from oxidation and cellular damage Works better together 90

Dosage

Throughout day with meals

Daily2-5% of total calories

Essential needs1-2% of total daily calories

Optimal intake2-5% of total daily calories

Maximum recommended5-7% of total daily calories

Therapeutic skin2-4% of calories with topical application

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for membrane incorporation and skin benefits

Peak Benefits6-8 weeks for optimal cellular function and skin health

Deficiency DevelopmentRare in modern diets - weeks to months on deficient diet

Toxicity OnsetPro-inflammatory effects with chronic excess intake

How to measure it

$150-250

MarkerLinoleic acid levels, omega-6/omega-3 ratio, inflammatory markers

OptimalAdequate linoleic acid levels, omega-6/omega-3 ratio <10:1

Deficient belowVery low linoleic acid levels (rare)

FrequencyMonitor fatty acid profile every 6-12 months

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 25 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Nausea 6

Loss of consciousness 4

Malaise 4

Diarrhoea 3

Pancreatitis 3

Named as the suspect 25 reports of 31 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 85% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event17

Hospitalization8

Visited Emergency Room6

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 95 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 3.3 mg

Cost per 10 mg delivered $1.50 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Essential for balanced inflammatory response and optimal health

Omega-3s balance the pro-inflammatory potential of linoleic acid · level A

Vitamin E

Protects linoleic acid from oxidation and cellular damage

Vitamin E acts as antioxidant protecting polyunsaturated fats · level A

Vitamin C

Supports antioxidant protection and tissue synthesis

Vitamin C works with vitamin E to protect fatty acids · level B

What not to take with Linoleic Acid

3 documented

Trans Fats

Trans fats interfere with linoleic acid metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function · high significance

Excessive Omega 6 Intake

Very high intake can overwhelm anti-inflammatory systems

Excess linoleic acid promotes inflammatory pathway dominance · high significance

Oxidized Oils

Damaged linoleic acid becomes pro-inflammatory and toxic

Oxidized fatty acids promote inflammation and cellular damage · high significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

cholesterol-medications Beneficial

May enhance cholesterol-lowering effects when replacing saturated fats

What to do: Can be part of heart-healthy diet modifications

anti-inflammatory-medications Minor

High intake may counteract anti-inflammatory treatments

What to do: Balance omega-6 intake with omega-3s

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Sunflower oil (high linoleic) 95

Sunflower oil (high linoleic): Readily available, Low cost, High linoleic content, Natural source

Food sources

before you supplement

Sunflower oil 65-70% linoleic acid · 95

Safflower oil 70-75% linoleic acid · 95

Corn oil 55-60% linoleic acid · 95

Nuts and seeds Variable, 20-60% depending on type · 90

Too little

deficiency signs

Linoleic acid deficiency symptoms (rare in modern diets):
Skin problems including scaly dermatitis and poor barrier function
Impaired wound healing and tissue repair
Growth retardation in children
Increased susceptibility to infections
Poor hair and nail health
Compromised reproductive function

Too much

toxicity signs

Excess intake effects (common in Western diets):
Chronic low-grade inflammation
Increased risk of inflammatory diseases
Oxidative stress from processed oils
Metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance
Cardiovascular disease risk with imbalanced ratios

Who benefits most

skin-barrier-dysfunction

Essential for skin barrier formation and integrity

2-4% of total daily calories

deficiency-rare-cases

Essential fatty acid required for basic cellular function

1-2% of total daily calories

balanced-fatty-acid-intake

Needs to be balanced with omega-3s for optimal health

2-5% of total daily calories with adequate omega-3s

growth-development-children

Essential for normal growth and development

Age-appropriate essential fatty acid requirements

cholesterol-management

May help when replacing saturated fats in diet

5-10% of calories replacing saturated fats

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Linoleic Acid at 2-5% of total calories per serving. The form that matters here is Sunflower oil (high linoleic).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Trans fats

Trans fats interfere with linoleic acid metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function

Excessive omega 6 intake

Very high intake can overwhelm anti-inflammatory systems

Excess linoleic acid promotes inflammatory pathway dominance

Oxidized oils

Damaged linoleic acid becomes pro-inflammatory and toxic

Oxidized fatty acids promote inflammation and cellular damage

How it works

Incorporates into cell membrane phospholipids affecting membrane fluidity
Precursor to arachidonic acid and inflammatory eicosanoids
Essential component of skin ceramides and barrier lipids
Required for prostaglandin and leukotriene synthesis
Affects gene expression related to lipid metabolism
Modulates inflammatory signaling pathways

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Essential fatty acid with well-established physiological roles
Critical for skin barrier function and cellular membranes
Excess intake common in Western diets and may promote inflammation
Balance with omega-3s essential for optimal health outcomes

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Linoleic Acid?

Documented effects: Essential cellular membrane function; Skin barrier function and integrity; Growth and development support; Immune system function. Critical component of cell membranes affecting fluidity and function

How much Linoleic Acid should you take per day?

The common daily range is 2-5% of total calories. By goal — essential needs: 1-2% of total daily calories; optimal intake: 2-5% of total daily calories; maximum recommended: 5-7% of total daily calories; therapeutic skin: 2-4% of calories with topical application.

When is the best time to take Linoleic Acid?

Throughout day with meals. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for membrane incorporation and skin benefits.

What are the side effects of Linoleic Acid?

At excessive doses: Excess intake effects (common in Western diets):, Chronic low-grade inflammation, Increased risk of inflammatory diseases, Oxidative stress from processed oils, Metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance. Safety rating at normal doses is 7 out of 10.

What should you not take with Linoleic Acid?

Separate it from Trans Fats, Excessive Omega 6 Intake, Oxidized Oils by two to four hours. Trans fats interfere with linoleic acid metabolism

Does Linoleic Acid interact with medications?

Documented interactions with cholesterol-medications, anti-inflammatory-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Linoleic Acid?

The marker is Linoleic acid levels, omega-6/omega-3 ratio, inflammatory markers, optimal range Adequate linoleic acid levels, omega-6/omega-3 ratio <10:1. Common deficiency signs: Linoleic acid deficiency symptoms (rare in modern diets):, Skin problems including scaly dermatitis and poor barrier function, Impaired wound healing and tissue repair, Growth retardation in children.

Taken for

31 Skin & Hair

Bovine Collagen · Marine Collagen · Collagen Peptides