Does Fish Oil Supplement Cause Acne? Why It May Be Causing Acne

A lot of people looking to heal their acne naturally use omega-3 supplements, like fish oil, cod liver oil, or even krill oil.

It makes sense that these omega-3 supplements can help with acne – after all, we know that inflammation and acne go hand-in-hand and that omega-3 is proven to decrease markers of inflammation.¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795

What you’d probably be surprised to hear is that low-quality, rancid omega-3 supplements can actually cause acne if you’re not careful.

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at why omega-3 supplements look great on paper for treating acne, but might actually do more harm than good. Finally, we’ll look at the best brands and types of omega-3 supplements for acne.

Why fish oil & omega-3 heals acne

Inflammation is a key factor in acne. Inflammation occurs when the immune system responds to threats. One of the threats it responds to is acne infections. I dealt with inflammatory acne for most of my adult life and finally figured out how to permanently by optimizing my diet. I explain my diet changes in-depth in my guide, Unmasking Acne.

When a pore becomes clogged or blocked due to hormones triggered from eating carbs, sugar, or dairy, the body will typically fire off an inflammatory response. In most individuals, this isn’t a problem – but for people with chronic inflammation, a condition where the immune system is extremely overactive, these relatively harmless acne infections trigger a huge inflammatory response.

What happens when inflammation is constantly triggered for acne infections?

Redness and swelling on the skin – in other words, pimples.

If you can manage to reduce inflammation, you can easily reduce the appearance of your acne and the likelihood that whiteheads and pimples appear. That’s why some omega-3 supplements are so effective at treating acne.

There are two main types of fatty acids that influence your immune system:

• Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory – they tend to lower markers of inflammation in the body and improve acne.
• Omega-6 fatty acids are inflammatory – they tend to increase markers of inflammation in the body and worsen acne.

Omega-3 supplements have been shown in numerous studies to improve inflammation and autoimmune and inflammation-related diseases, including acne.²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12480795³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16531187⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5796167/

Unfortunately, many studies and countless forum posts also show that some people’s acne actually gets worse by taking omega-3 supplements.

Why some fish oil supplements cause acne

Essentially, fish oil supplements are extremely likely to cause inflammatory acne if the supplements are rancid or oxidized. You might be surprised to hear that an extremely high percentage of omega-3 supplements, including fish oil and cod liver oil, are actually rancid.

When omega-3 fatty acids become oxidized or rancid, they actually show the opposite effect when it comes to inflammation – they trigger inflammation and worsen symptoms of inflammatory acne.

One study found that 50% of fish oil supplements from nearly 50 different brands were oxidized.⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4681158/

What does this mean for your skin?

Basically, if you’re buying low-quality fish oil or storing them improperly, then your fish oil very well may be oxidized and you may be causing acne. Luckily, it’s fairly easy to tell if fish oil is rancid, and buying high-quality omega-3 supplements can easily sidestep this issue.

How to tell if your fish oil is oxidized

There are a few simple signs to tell if your fish oil is oxidized:

• It’s past its expiration date
• It is discolored (most likely a dark brown/black-like color)
• It tastes “off” when you bite into it – fish oil is never going to taste amazing, but it shouldn’t be extremely offputting
• It smells rancid – again, you’ll be able to differentiate between a normal “fishy” smell and the smell of rancid fish oil

Essentially, you should be able to tell fairly easily if fish oil is rancid or oxidized.

Still, even the best fish oil can go rancid if you don’t store it properly…

How to store fish oil

There are a few simple ways to prevent your fish oil from going bad.

Fish oil becomes oxidized when it is exposed to heat, light, or air:

• After you purchase fish oil, keep it in the fridge and close the lid after every use
• Buy your fish oil in smaller batches and use it within the first 3 months of opening
• Avoid store-bought fish oil sitting on shelves – it’s usually subjected to harsher conditions and more light
• Purchase fish oil that comes in dark containers (another reason I prefer Sport’s Research Fish Oil)

Best fish oil supplement for clear skin

Before we get too far into this article, let’s make something clear…

The absolute best way to get DHA & EPA omega-3 fatty acids is through eating wild-caught, fatty fish, like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and anchovies. They offer naturally-occurring antioxidants, skin-clearing nutrients, and more bioavailable, stable omega-3s per serving.

Still, not all of us can afford or have access to wild-caught seafood.

For the rest of us, a high-quality DHA & EPA omega-3 supplement can be a huge asset in preventing and treating inflammatory acne. DHA & EPA are the two types of omega-3s that are most easily absorbed by the body and show the largest anti-inflammatory effects.

Vegan, ALA omega-3-based supplements, usually sourced from nut oils or various plants, are generally less effective than marine-based omega-3 supplements.

Still, not all DHA & EPA omega-3 supplements are created equal. There are 4 main types of DHA & EPA omega-3 supplements, each with its unique pros and cons for acne. I’ve included a brief overview of the different types below, along with a recommended, high-quality, reputable brand for each:

Overall, there isn’t a single best form of omega-3 for acne, it depends all on your needs.

I’ll go into more detail on each type of omega-3 supplement for acne below, and who should and shouldn’t use each…

Krill oil for acne

If you can afford it, Sport’s Research Krill Oil is probably your best bet when it comes to omega-3 supplements.

It has been shown to be more easily absorbed by the body and contains the potent antioxidant, astaxanthin, which helps prevent it from becoming rancid and oxidated. Astaxanthin also can help protect the skin and prevent UV and environmental damage, and may actually prevent acne.

Despite being lower in DHA & EPA, the omega-3s in krill oil are more bioavailable, which means you might actually absorb more omega-3s than if you were to take fish oil. Still, krill oil can be a little expensive.

Fish oil for acne

Regular fish oil will do just fine if it’s from a quality source. Non-oxidized and rancid fish oil is a great way to decrease inflammation on a budget. I prefer Sport’s Research fish oil – it’s always fresh, sourced from wild-caught fish, and comes in a dark, pre-sealed package.

Algae oil for acne

If you’re vegan, then there’s no problem going with a high-quality Vegan algae supplement – studies show that the body absorbs omega-3s from algae just as well as omega-3 from fish. You should avoid an ALA omega-3 supplement. ALA omega-3 is not absorbed efficiently by the body and is a huge reason why people transitioning to a Vegan Diet get acne.

Cod Liver Oil for acne

When it comes to cod liver oil, that’s really another topic entirely – there are a lot of conflicting articles and research on whether or not cod liver oil is really safe for consumption. It can easily go rancid, and many of the most popular brands were found to be oxidized. Even several premium fermented cod liver oil brands have had quality control issues in the past.

While it does have the added benefit of retinol vitamin A, you’re better off getting it through grass-fed beef liver and not risking the effects of rancid oil.

Unlike the other 3 main forms of omega-3 supplements, due to quality control issues, I don’t feel comfortable recommending a specific brand of cod liver oil.

Should you take fish oil for clear skin?

Fish oil, krill oil, cod liver oil, and algae oil are all extremely rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids decrease inflammation and can help treat acne by decreasing the body’s inflammatory response to acne infections.

Unfortunately, studies show that many omega-3 supplements contain rancid, oxidized fish oil. These rancid supplements are actually more likely to cause inflammatory acne than treat it.

For that reason, it’s crucial to buy high-quality omega-3 supplements and store them in a cool, dark place.

Still, omega-3 supplements don’t make up for a diet high in inflammatory oils and carbohydrates.

If you’re looking for a guide to eating for clear skin, check out our GoodGlow Diet Blueprint. It has everything you need to get started, including inflammatory foods to avoid and inflammation-fighting foods to eat, all on one page.

What has your experience been with omega-3 supplements and acne? Have fish oil supplements helped or hurt your skin? Let me know in the comments below.

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