Composition for external use on skin for inflammatory diseases
[Problem] To provide a composition for external skin use that has anti-inflammatory and antiallergic activity, and is very safe. [Solution] A composition for external skin use for inflammatory diseases contains dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) as the active ingredient thereof. It is preferable for the DGLA to be present as a glyceride, a phospholipid, or an alkyl ester. The amount of DGLA contained in the composition for external use is 0.1-50 wt %.
1. A method of keeping skin in healthy condition, comprising
administering topically, to the skin of a human, an effective amount of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) as an active ingredient in a cosmetic product,
wherein the DGLA is provided in the form of an oil derived from a culture of micro-organisms of genus Mortierella , and
wherein the DGLA is applied continuously for at least 14 consecutive days to the skin.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is in the form of any one of a glyceride, a phospholipid, a glycolipid, an alkyl ester, a salt, or a free fatty acid.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the glyceride is a triglyceride, a diglyceride, or a monoglyceride.
4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the alkyl ester is an ester with a lower C 1-4 alcohol.
5. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the phospholipid is diacylglycerophospholipid or lysoacylglycerophospholipid.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) is administered in a composition containing 0.01 to 50 wt % of the dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA).
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the DGLA is administered in the form of an ointment comprising DGLA containing oil and zinc oxide.