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DHA is short for docosahexaenoic acid, and it is an omega-3 fatty acid necessary in the process of brain development. DHA also has an important role in heart health, improving vision, and in reducing inflammation. It is also responsible for the health of cell membranes, which directly affects your skin. Healthy cell membranes will give you healthy, soft and moist skin, whereas a weak membrane would cause dry, sad-looking skin.
DHA can help you have reduced sensitivity to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, so you are not as likely to have hyperpigmentation and other sun damage. It can soothe some effects of dermatitis, including dry and itchy skin. DHA has also been found to help with skin healing, and there are studies that indicate it may prevent skin cancer.
The commonest form of DHA is a fish oil supplement. Taking these can have some side effects, including nausea, halitosis and heartburn. There is also a possibility that ingesting fish oil may reduce your immune system’s activity, or interfere with your medication. Consult your doctor before taking DHA supplements. Topical application of fish oil doesn’t have any downsides other than an unpleasant smell.
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
DHA may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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