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.

To make sure you only buy the right products for your Baumann Skin Type, you can take the quiz for free by clicking the button below!

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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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