Flax seed oil in skin care products
Flax seeds (AKA linseeds) may be small, but they can make a big impact when it comes to skin care. Flax seed oil, extracted by pressing flax seeds, has been used for centuries to benefit health and beauty. But does the science support the hype around this oil? Keep reading to learn all about the benefits and uses of flax seed oil for skin care.
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What are flax seeds?
Flax seeds come from the flax plant, a blue flowering crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years. Flax seeds are about the size of sesame seeds, with a tough outer shell and inner golden seeds. These seeds can be pressed to extract flax seed oil. Flax oil has been prized across history for its healing properties. Ancient Egyptians used flax oil for hair and skin health, while Greek physician Hippocrates recommended it for inflammation. Today, flax remains a popular natural oil for a number of skin concerns with modern scientific evidence to support its use.
What is flax seed oil made of?
Flax seeds feature many active compounds like fatty acids, polyphenols, and more. Some of the most notable components of flax seed and their functions are:
Omega-3 fatty acids – Flax oil contains a type of omega-3 called alpha-linolenic acic, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
Linoleic acid – a moisturizing and anti-inflammatory compound found in products like barrier repair moisturizers.
Oleic acid – a fatty acid that aids with ingredient penetration into the skin.
Saturated fatty acids – There is a small concentration of palmitic and stearic fatty acids which give this oil a thick occlusive texture.
Lignans – Antioxidant polyphenolic compounds with suggested wound healing and collagen stimulating properties. (3)
Vitamin E – A fat-soluble antioxidant that protects the skin.
This wide variety of compounds explains the increasingly common use of flax seed oil in skin care products.
Benefits of flax seed oil in skin care
With its versatile active compound profile, it’s no surprise that flax seed oil offers a variety of benefits for the skin such as: (1,2,3)
Increased skin hydration – The essential fatty acids in flax oil help attract and seal in moisture in the skin. Flax keeps skin looking plump and dewy.
Reduction of inflammation – The omega-3s in flax oil have potent anti-inflammatory abilities to calm conditions like acne, rosacea, and psoriasis.
Protection from sun damage – The antioxidants in flax oil neutralize free radicals generated by UV exposure that can lead to fine lines, dark spots, and skin cancer.
Improved skin firmness and elasticity – ALA may help stimulate collagen production, leading to fewer wrinkles and sagging.
Healing of scars – The vitamins and fatty acids in flax can help scars, wounds and abrasions heal faster.
Improved skin smoothness – Linoleic acid helps skin retain moisture for a supple, smooth texture and glow.
Side-effects and considerations of flax seed oil
When used topically, flax seed oil has a low risk of adverse reactions. However, oral flax oil supplements may cause side effects like diarrhea and stomach upset in some individuals.
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel (CIR) published a study on linseed/flaxseed oil that found it and its components safe for use in skin care products. (4)
However, in some especially acne prone skin types, there is a slight chance this oil can clog your pores as it contains comedogenic palmitic acid.
It’s also important to note that flax oil can go rancid. Make sure to use flax/linseed products within a few months after opening to prevent them from oxidizing and spoiling.
Avoid putting flax oil directly on injured skin, open wounds, or cystic acne, as it may irritate sensitive areas. Take the Baumann Skin Type quiz, especially if you have very dry or oily skin, to make sure flax oil is right for your skin type before applying all over the face.
Flax seed oil for dry skin
Thanks to its high concentration and diversity of moisturizing fatty acids, flax seed oil works wonders for ashy or dry skin.
If you have chronically dry skin or eczema, try a flax oil moisturizer. The anti-inflammatory properties of flax can also help soothe red, inflamed patches of skin.
With continued use, flax helps restore suppleness and radiance to dull skin. For those reasons and more, flax seed is a great oil for massage oil products!
Here are some of our favorite moisturizers with flax seed oil:
Flax seed oil for acne
Flax seed oil does not typically cause acne in skin care products, but is not the best option for everybody because it sometimes clogs the pores of extremely acne prone skin types.
If your skin is not particularly sensitive, this oil can be a good additive to retinoid based products to aid with ingredient penetration since it contains oleic acid. This is our favorite flax seed oil product for acne:
Flaxseed for hyperpigmentation
Flaxseed/Linseed oil will not get rid of dark spots if applied on its own. The best treatments for hyperpigmentation include a variety of skin lightening ingredients with various exfoliating, tyrosinase inhibiting, and PAR-2 blocking properties. That being said, there are some great skin lightening products that include flax seed oil such as:
Flaxseed for aging
The antioxidant compounds in flaxseed make it a beneficial ingredient in anti-aging skin care products.
Regular use of flax oil may help ward off wrinkles and increase collagen to keep skin looking youthful and supple as you age. The nourishing vitamins and antioxidants in flax can slow down natural skin aging.
While more research is needed, flax oil shows promise as a natural means of slowing collagen breakdown and other changes associated with skin aging. Apply flax oil daily along with sunscreen for the best anti-aging impact.
Closing thoughts
While more research is still needed, the well-studied chemical makeup of flax make it a safe addition to dry, aging, and inflammation prone skin care regimens. Take the Baumann Skin Type quiz to be sure flax seed oil products are right for your skin type!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.