Vitamin F
Vitamin F is a beauty term for essential fatty acids, mainly linoleic acid and linolenic acid, that help keep skin soft, supple and healthy-looking. Often derived from plant oils, it is a popular ingredient in moisturisers, serums and haircare products across the UK.
How it works in skincare
In cosmetics and skincare Vitamin F works by reinforcing the skin’s natural lipid barrier, helping to minimise moisture loss and shield against environmental stressors. It integrates well into both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, delivering a light, non-greasy feel while improving the texture and smoothness of formulations. British brands often include it in barrier-supporting creams and restorative hair treatments.
Key benefits
- Helps restore and strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier
- Improves skin softness and suppleness
- Supports a smooth, healthy-looking complexion
- Helps calm the appearance of dry or rough skin
- Enhances hair shine and manageability
- Contributes to overall skin comfort in dry climates
Best for
dry skin, dehydrated skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, compromised skin barrier
Where it comes from
Vitamin F is naturally sourced from plant seed oils such as sunflower, safflower, evening primrose and linseed. These oils are cold-pressed to preserve the essential fatty acids used in cosmetic formulations.
Products with Vitamin F
Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Vitamin F than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.
- Medik8 C-Tetra Luxe (30ml) Medik8