Sacha Inchi for Skin: Benefits and Research
- , by SANUSq Research team
- 14 min reading time
Sacha inchi oil is often sold as a natural answer for dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin. The seed is genuinely interesting and its fats are unusual, but when you look for the sacha inchi oil skin benefits that have actually been tested in people, the list is short, and much of what circulates online goes well beyond it.
What sacha inchi is
Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis), sometimes called the Inca peanut, is a climbing plant from the Peruvian Amazon. Its star-shaped seeds are pressed for an oil that stands out from most kitchen oils because of its fat profile. Where sunflower, corn or soya oil are dominated by omega-6 fats, sacha inchi oil contains roughly equal amounts of two essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant form of omega-3, and linoleic acid, an omega-6.
The seeds also contain tocopherols (the vitamin E family), phytosterols and small amounts of polyphenols. These are the components most often quoted when sacha inchi is linked with skin.
Analysing 16 cultivars of sacha inchi seed, Chirinos et al. (2013) found high levels of ALA in every one (12.8–16.0 g per 100 g of seed), followed closely by linoleic acid, giving an omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of about 1:1. Gamma- and delta-tocopherol were the main forms of vitamin E, and beta-sitosterol and stigmasterol the main phytosterols. Levels varied significantly between cultivars.
One label detail: these are mostly gamma and delta tocopherols, while vitamin E as a nutrient is largely defined by alpha-tocopherol, so a high "tocopherol" figure does not automatically mean a high vitamin E content.
Two very different ways to use it: on the skin or by mouth
There are two separate routes, with different evidence.
- Topical use — the oil is applied directly, on its own or as an ingredient in a cream or serum. Any effect is local, on the outer layer of the skin.
- Oral use — the oil is eaten, as a salad oil, or swallowed in capsules. Its fats are digested and spread through the body like any other dietary fat; there is no direct route to the skin.
Studies of one route tell you little about the other. Keeping the two apart is the simplest way to cut through most of the marketing.
Sacha inchi oil skin benefits: what the research shows
Applied to the skin
The only human study of sacha inchi oil on skin that we could find is small, short and focused on dryness.
Soimee et al. (2020) asked 13 volunteers to apply cold-pressed sacha inchi oil to one lower leg and olive oil to the other for 14 days. The improvement in skin moisture and in the appearance of dryness was comparable between the two oils. In lab-grown skin tissue, the oil did not trigger the inflammatory signals or structural damage used as markers of irritation, and the authors described it as mild to the skin.
That is a modest but useful result: sacha inchi oil behaved like a decent moisturising oil and did not appear irritating. But it was not compared with a proper moisturiser, involved no one with a skin condition and lasted two weeks.
The oil's fat profile also matters: linoleic acid is a building block of the lipids that hold the outer skin layer together.
Reviewing 27 clinical studies of 17 plant oils applied to the skin, sacha inchi among them, Poljšak and Kočevar Glavač (2022) concluded that on inflamed skin, oils high in oleic acid and low in linoleic acid may further damage the skin's outer layer, whereas oils high in linoleic acid may have positive effects. Unaffected skin did not appear to react badly to oleic-rich oils, but how often and how long an oil is used also mattered.
Laboratory work adds a little more, with clear limits.
In laboratory tests on human skin samples and skin cells, Gonzalez-Aspajo et al. (2015) found that undiluted sacha inchi oil was not toxic to the cells and did not kill Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium common on skin, but did reduce how well the bacteria stuck to the cells, more so than coconut oil in several of the tests.
Lab findings like these are a starting point for research, not evidence of an effect on living skin.
Taken by mouth
No published human trial has measured skin outcomes after people took sacha inchi oil orally. The human studies of the oil as a food look at tolerance, blood fats and short-term inflammation markers.
In a four-month randomised, double-blind study, Gonzales and Gonzales (2014) gave 30 adults 10 or 15 ml a day of either sacha inchi oil or sunflower oil. Acceptability of sacha inchi oil was low in the first week but rose to over 80% from week six. Nausea was the most common early side effect and eased with time, and liver and kidney markers did not change. Total and LDL cholesterol fell with both oils.
In a randomised crossover trial, Alayón et al. (2019) added sacha inchi oil to a high-fat breakfast in 42 adults. In metabolically healthy participants it limited the rise in cholesterol and lowered interleukin-6, an inflammation marker; in metabolically unhealthy participants the effects were different. The authors concluded that the response depended on each person's metabolic status.
These are small trials of short-term markers, and neither looked at skin.
Sacha inchi and eczema: an honest look
Eczema is the claim most often attached to sacha inchi, and it has the least behind it. No clinical trial has tested sacha inchi, applied or swallowed, in people with eczema. The closest evidence comes from animals.
In mice with an induced form of atopic dermatitis, Zhang et al. (2024) found that sacha inchi oil reduced skin lesions, scratching and several inflammatory markers, and increased two proteins involved in the skin barrier, filaggrin and loricrin.
Results in mice often fail to carry over to people, which is why they are treated as a reason for human research rather than a basis for advice. And the wider class of supplements that sacha inchi is usually compared with has already been tested in eczema, without convincing results.
A Cochrane review by Bath-Hextall et al. (2012) of 11 randomised trials in 596 people with established atopic eczema, covering supplements including fish oil, hempseed oil and vitamins D and E, found no convincing evidence that dietary supplements help eczema and concluded they could not be recommended at present.
So the fair summary is that sacha inchi has not been shown to improve eczema in people, and it should never delay proper care. Eczema is a medical condition. The approaches that help are well established and unglamorous: generous daily use of an emollient, even between flares; short, lukewarm showers; soap-free cleansers; and learning your own triggers, such as wool, fragranced detergents, sweat or stress. Flare treatments come from your doctor, and using them as directed is safer than avoiding them. Eczema that is spreading, weeping, infected, disturbing sleep or not responding to treatment needs a GP or dermatologist.
What sacha inchi does offer nutritionally
None of this makes sacha inchi a poor choice. It is one of the richest plant oils in omega-3.
- ALA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. This benefit is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of ALA. Depending on its exact ALA content, that is roughly 4–5 g of sacha inchi oil, about a teaspoon.
- Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Check a product's label for its actual vitamin E content.
Your body can make the long-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA from ALA, but only to a limited extent.
In a review of plant-derived omega-3 metabolism in humans, Baker et al. (2016) noted that people are generally considered to have limited capacity to convert ALA into EPA and DHA, with conversion to DHA limited in most people, so ALA may have a smaller health benefit than EPA and DHA themselves.
In practice, sacha inchi adds to your plant omega-3 intake. It does not replace oily fish or algae-based sources of EPA and DHA.
How to use sacha inchi oil
As a food: use it raw, on salads, vegetables or grains. It oxidises quickly with heat and light, so don't cook with it; keep it cool and use it within a few weeks of opening. Capsules suit people who dislike the taste; follow the dose on the label.
On the skin: choose a cold-pressed oil intended for cosmetic use, patch test it on the inner forearm first, and apply a few drops to damp skin. Discard it if it smells rancid, and stop if you notice redness, itching or swelling.
If you take blood-thinning medication, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are due to have surgery, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking omega-3 supplements of any kind.
How to spot a promise that goes too far
Sacha inchi follows a familiar pattern: an interesting composition, a plausible mechanism, and a leap to a condition nobody has tested it in. Watch for claims with no human trial behind them, vague phrases such as "known to help", and the word "solution" attached to a long-term skin condition. None of this rules the ingredient out; it just resets expectations.
The bottom line
On the skin, one small study found sacha inchi oil moisturises dry skin about as well as olive oil and appears gentle. By mouth, it is a well-tolerated plant source of ALA, but its effect on skin is untested, and there is no human evidence that it helps eczema.
Frequently asked questions
Is sacha inchi oil good for your skin?
In one small study it improved skin dryness about as well as olive oil and did not appear irritating. Its high linoleic acid content is a reasonable fit for the skin barrier, but larger and longer studies are lacking.
Does sacha inchi help eczema?
No human trial has tested it. A study in mice was positive, but a Cochrane review found no convincing evidence that dietary supplements help eczema. Daily emollients and medical care remain the basis of managing it.
Can I put sacha inchi capsules on my skin?
Capsules are made to be swallowed. If you want to use the oil topically, a cold-pressed oil sold for cosmetic use is a better choice, and a patch test first is sensible.
What are the main sacha inchi benefits?
It is one of the richest plant sources of ALA, which contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels with a daily intake of 2 g. It also provides linoleic acid, tocopherols and phytosterols.
Does sacha inchi replace fish oil?
No. The body converts only a limited amount of ALA into EPA and DHA, so sacha inchi adds to plant omega-3 intake rather than replacing oily fish or algae-based EPA and DHA.
Is sacha inchi oil safe to take?
In a four-month trial it was well tolerated, with mild nausea in the first weeks that eased over time. Seed allergy is possible, and anyone on blood thinners should check with their doctor first.
Sacha inchi in capsule form
Sacha inchi oil in easy-to-take capsules, a plant source of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).
Free shipping available — see current offers
References
- Chirinos R, Zuloeta G, Pedreschi R, Mignolet E, Larondelle Y, Campos D. Sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis): a seed source of polyunsaturated fatty acids, tocopherols, phytosterols, phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity. Food Chemistry. 2013;141(3):1732–1739. PMID 23870885
- Soimee W, Nakyai W, Charoensit P, et al. Evaluation of moisturizing and irritation potential of sacha inchi oil. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. 2020;19(4):915–924. PMID 31441999
- Poljšak N, Kočevar Glavač N. Vegetable butters and oils as therapeutically and cosmetically active ingredients for dermal use: a review of clinical studies. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2022;13:868461. PMID 35548366
- Gonzalez-Aspajo G, Belkhelfa H, Haddioui-Hbabi L, Bourdy G, Deharo E. Sacha inchi oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.), effect on adherence of Staphylococus aureus to human skin explant and keratinocytes in vitro. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2015;171:330–334. PMID 26087228
- Gonzales GF, Gonzales C. A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study on acceptability, safety and efficacy of oral administration of sacha inchi oil (Plukenetia volubilis L.) in adult human subjects. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2014;65:168–176. PMID 24389453
- Alayón AN, Ortega Ávila JG, Echeverri Jiménez I. Metabolic status is related to the effects of adding of sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.) oil on postprandial inflammation and lipid profile: randomized, crossover clinical trial. Journal of Food Biochemistry. 2019;43(2):e12703. PMID 31353666
- Zhang Y, Zhao W, Liao J, et al. Evaluation of the therapeutic effect of sacha inchi oil in atopic dermatitis mice. International Immunopharmacology. 2024;138:112552. PMID 38917521
- Bath-Hextall FJ, Jenkinson C, Humphreys R, Williams HC. Dietary supplements for established atopic eczema. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2012;2012(2):CD005205. PMID 22336810
- Baker EJ, Miles EA, Burdge GC, Yaqoob P, Calder PC. Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans. Progress in Lipid Research. 2016;64:30–56. PMID 27496755
Read more on the blog
- Sacha Inchi: A Complete Plant-Based Source of Omega-3 →
- Skin Health From Within: Key Nutrients for a Healthy Glow →
- Supplements for Skin Health →
Watch on YouTube
Explore more on our channel, @SANUSqHealthSupplements.
We wish you good health on your terms.
The team at SANUSq.
PS. Curious what's currently on offer? Take a look at our latest promotions.
The health information in this article is provided for educational purposes only. Consult your healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.
Regulatory Notice
The information on our websites, blogs, and emails is provided for informational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the EMA, EFSA, or FDA. It is not intended to replace medical advice provided by your healthcare professional, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Our products are intended for adults aged 18 and over. While the vitamins and supplements mentioned may offer various health benefits, supplements and dietary changes should be considered part of an overall health plan and not a substitute for professional medical treatment. Only a qualified healthcare professional can provide personalized advice and treatment plans based on your individual health needs and medical history; you should consult your healthcare professional before taking any product(s) if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.