Flaxseeds contain a unique combination of ingredients necessary in skincare. Under a dense, hard shell there is a deposit of good fatty acids and important polyphenols. In addition, flaxseeds, when used in skin care, are also particularly well-tolerated. Only few people are sensitive to them.
- Flaxseeds suit particularly well to after-sun products to soothe the skin.
- Flaxseeds are rich in different moisturizing ingredients
- Flaxseeds brighten the skin
- Flaxseeds make pores smaller in the skin
Pay attention to flaxseeds quality
When buying flaxseeds, make sure you will choose organic quality. Flax is a plant that easily gathers environmental toxins. Organic flaxseed is therefore safer to use. You can use the same quality for both cosmetics and nutrition.
There are 2 colours of flaxseeds available, brown and yellow (golden). Both of them are about the same quality.
There is an exception; a yellow flaxseed variety called Linola (Solin). Its fatty acid composition is completely different from other flaxseeds. Linola is low in omega-3 fatty acids. Linola fatty acids are mainly omega-6 fatty acids, or linolenic acid. Linola flaxseed oil does not dry the skin in the same way as regular flaxseed oil, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Linola flaxseed oil is widely used for skin care. Some pharmacies are selling curative creams based on linola flaxseed oil. Its other health benefits are the same as those of regular flax.
It is worth of preparing the flax seeds before use
Of course, flaxseeds should first be washed thoroughly using cold tab water. The seeds often contain dust and impurities. Washing is especially important when you want to make products from unheated flaxseeds.
I personally prefer the use of flaxseeds without heating. Unheated flaxseeds contain all the essential fatty acids and other nutrients. The flaxseed facial mask is made for one time use only. Therefore, no heating is necessary in this product.
When you soak flaxseeds in water overnight, they’ll become soft and moisturized. Soaked linseeds are easy to squash into a paste using a blender.
Preparation of linseed paste
- 1 decilitre of water
- 1 tablespoon of flax seed
Do like this:
- Wash the flax seeds under running water (use a strainer)
- Pour flaxseeds into a glass bowl and add 1 decilitre of cold water
- Leave the mixture on the table overnight
- Use a blender or food processor to mix until smooth.
Now you have flaxseed paste that you can use as a base for your facial masks. Flaxseed paste is also suitable for gentle peeling. When soaked, flaxseeds soften and no longer scratch the skin.
Flaxseed mask for dry, dull skin
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed paste
- 1 teaspoon of moisturizing lotion
- 1 evening primrose seed oil capsule (content only)
Do like this:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl and spread over your face and neck
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water
- If necessary, add a good face oil or lotion to keep moisture in the skin
Flaxseed mask for acne skin
Flaxseed soothes skin infections. Try the following mask for acne skin.
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed paste
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon of honey
Do like this:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl until smooth
- Apply the mask to the problematic skin area you want to treat (face, chest, back, etc.)
- Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes
- Wash the mask off with lukewarm water
- If you want, you can apply a little bit of day cream or a drop of skin oil on your face
Lightly exfoliating flaxseed gel
Flaxseed also works well for skin peeling. Soft flaxseed paste does not scratch the skin. This exfoliation gel has salt to soften hardened skin and rhassouls clay to cleanse pores.
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed paste
- ¼ teaspoon of very fine sea salt, use a mortar if necessary.
- ¼ teaspoon of rhassouls clay
Do like this:
- Mix all ingredients in a glass or plastic bowl, do not use metal dishes or mixers as clay loses its effectiveness
- Apply the gel to your face, rubbing gently with your fingertips
- Spread the gel to the entire facial area (not around the eyes!) and, if desired, the neck and cleavage.
- Rinse the gel off with lukewarm water
- Balance the skin’s pH with toner, apple vinegar water, or lactic acid-based herb fermentation.
- Apply lotion (your choice) or a few drops of good face oil to your face.
Deep cleansing mask of flaxseed and egg yolk
The cleansing power of this mask is based on the lecithin and other cleansing ingredients contained in the yolk. Flaxseeds brighten the skin and remove dead skin cells.
- 1 yolk
- 1 tablespoon of flaxseed paste
Do like this
- Mix the yolk and flaxseed paste in a bowl
- Apply the mask on the face and leave on for 15 minutes
- Wash the mask away using gentle circular motions, light rubbing
- Finally, apply a lotion or a few drops of skin oil.
Flaxseeds are very easy to use in home-made cosmetics
Using these recipes, you get an easy start with flaxseeds. Flaxseeds is an excellent example of an ingredient that is particularly suitable for home-made cosmetics. In commercial cosmetics, the properties of flax do not achieve their rights in the same way. Flaxseeds are rich in nutrients for the skin, but unfortunately, they spoil quickly. Therefore, flaxseeds should be used freshly ground in home-made cosmetics.
Now, when you are familiar with flaxseeds, you can start developing your own skincare products. Tell me how you use flaxseeds in your own products!