Flaxseed face masks blew up on social media after being deemed “nature’s Botox” by users around the globe. We decided to make our own Lavender Flaxseed Face Mask and see if the trend is worth the hype.
We also wanted to check the research to see if the science supports the skin health claims circulating on social media. For reference, flaxseed oil and linseed oil are the same and used interchangeably. In this recipe, boiling flaxseeds releases the oil from the whole ingredient.
In one study, researchers found that crude linseed oil healed burn wounds faster and helped to regenerate skin better than other treatments tested.1 Wounds treated with linseed oil also had fewer inflammatory cells. Another study from 2020 found topical linseed oil could help reduce acute inflammation in rats, suggesting its potential use as a component in topical anti-inflammatory treatments.2
Though promising, both studies were conducted on animals and the effects of flaxseed oil on human skin are not fully known. You may try this recipe and see beneficial results, but we are not sure why or how that is yet.
How to Apply the Flaxseed Face Mask
To use your Flaxseed Face Mask, we recommend leaving it on for no more than 20 minutes and washing it off with warm water. Pat your face dry and follow up with moisturizer if needed.
WARNING: Some people have a flaxseed allergy, so we recommend doing a patch test on the back of your hand before applying directly to your face. This step is important, especially if you have dry skin.
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References:
- Beroual, K., Agabou, A., Abdeldjelil, M.-C., Boutaghane, N., Haouam, said, & Hamdi-Pacha, youcef. (2017). EVALUATION OF CRUDE FLAXSEED (Linum usitatissimum L.) OIL IN BURN WOUND HEALING IN NEW ZEALAND RABBITS. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 14(3), 280–286. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcam.v14i3.29
- Bardaa, S., Turki, M., Ben Khedir, S., Mzid, M., Rebai, T., Ayadi, F., & Sahnoun, Z. (2020). The Effect of Prickly Pear, Pumpkin, and Linseed Oils on Biological Mediators of Acute Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Markers. BioMed Research International, 2020, 5643465. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/5643465
Lavender Flaxseed Face Mask
- Recipe by: Isabella Mead
- Serves: 10 uses
- Meal: Lifestyle
- Serves: 10 uses
- Prep Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
4 tbsp dried lavender
3 cups distilled water
1 cups whole flaxseeds
Directions
Add dried lavender and water to a pot and bring to a boil.
In a separate heat-safe bowl, pour flaxseeds.
Remove the water + lavender mixture from heat and strain out the lavender over the bowl with the flaxseeds, pouring the hot water into the bowl.
Cover pot with a dish towel or lid and let cool for at least 4 hours.
Once at a slimy consistency, pour into a mason jar with a lid.
Keep refrigerated for up to a week.
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