Essential (= necessary for life) fatty acids are vital for human health, and linoleic acid (= polyunsaturated fatty acid) is the most important of these. Linoleic acid stabilises the structure of the cell membranes and the skin. This is why it makes up about 20% of all the fatty acids present in healthy skin. When this proportion is reduced, the skin starts peeling, becomes dry and loses its elasticity. Essential fatty acids cannot be formed by the body or the skin so they need to be supplied by vegetable oils (e.g. sunflower, thistle or evening primrose seed oil) or in a pure form. When applied in a cream containing linoleic acid, they are directly available for the skin to regenerate and to maintain its functionality.