Flaxseed oil for the face: super properties and possible harm
In cosmetology, only unrefined oil obtained by cold pressing is used.
It is the unrefined flaxseed product that is considered a real record holder for the content of unsaturated fatty acids, such as Omega-3, 6, 9. The body is not able to produce these substances on its own, but must definitely receive it. A deficiency of fatty acids leads to the development of dryness, flaking of the skin, inflammation, itching, and sometimes to the development of skin diseases.
The beneficial properties of flax product lie in its rich composition.
- Unsaturated acids. They regenerate the skin, start the process of cell renewal, and activate collagen synthesis. All these processes contribute to the rejuvenation of the dermis.
- Folic acid. Without her participation, skin inflammations and irritations take a long time to heal. The acid provides the skin with protection from harmful external influences.
- Thiamine. Vitamin beauty, better known as B1, will give the necessary hydration and smoothness to the skin.
- Niacin. Vitamin P is also useful for the epidermis. It stimulates collagen production, evens out small wrinkles, deeply tones the skin and provides it with a natural tone.
- Choline. It activates metabolism. Accelerated metabolism allows the dermis to get rid of harmful toxins. Vitamin B4 eliminates irritation and inflammation on the face.
- Phylloquinone. Vitamin K is suitable for lightening freckles and age spots. It not only has whitening properties, but can also eliminate puffiness and remove circles under the eyes.
- Retinol. For inflammation, acne, and skin irritations, vitamin A is recommended. It accelerates collagen synthesis and can fight wrinkles, stretch marks on the skin, and even scars.
- Tocopherol. This is a well-known vitamin of youth. It is vitamin E that is involved in almost all age-related processes occurring in the dermis. Tocopherol smoothes wrinkles, renews tissue at the cellular level, evens out the relief, tightens the epidermis.
In addition to vitamins and beneficial acids, flaxseed oil contains a large number of macro- and microelements that are necessary to maintain youthful skin. Since the product has all the necessary components for a mature dermis, cosmetologists recommend using flaxseed oil for the face against wrinkles.
Indications for use
The oil is used for any type of dermis. Even those with sensitive skin can pamper their face with an oily product. Cosmetologists, taking into account the medicinal properties of the oil, give the following indications for its use:
- peeling and excessive dryness;
- acne;
- irritation, inflammation;
- the need for anti-aging preventive measures.
There are cases where flaxseed oil caused an allergic reaction. And, despite the fact that these situations are rare, before use it is necessary to test the product on a delicate area of the skin.
When oil turns to poison
The benefits of this natural “healer” for the skin are invaluable. But sometimes oil can cause harm. It, under certain conditions, can saturate the epidermis with harmful radicals. These substances, if their quantity exceeds the permissible level in the body, affect DNA, provoking cellular mutations. They also lead to rapid aging and the development of cancer cells.
Why does a useful product turn into poison? Due to the large amount of fatty acids, flaxseed oil can quickly oxidize under the influence of sunlight, heat, and high temperatures. As a result, free radicals appear in the oily substance.
To prevent the formation of toxic substances in flaxseed oil, it is necessary to store the product in a glass container. The bottle must be tightly sealed. Keep it in the refrigerator. The started oil must be used up within a month.
Anti-cellulite wraps
If you have problem areas with “orange peel” skin, don’t worry. There is a great way to get rid of such a scourge with the help of wraps. Mix 1 tablespoon of garden ivy, 50 ml of flax seed oil and 10 ml of rosemary oil and leave the mixture in a warm place to brew for 2 weeks.
Then filter and apply directly with your hand to problem areas. Wrap the skin in plastic wrap, cover yourself with a warm blanket or put on old woolen sports pants or leggings and leave for half an hour or 40 minutes. Then rinse the mixture with warm water and wipe the skin area dry. According to reviews, a warm shower, massage and application of anti-cellulite cream give a good effect after such wraps.
Flax beauty recipes
The oil is allowed to be used undiluted. This is especially useful for mature, fading, flaking and dry dermis. And for those with oily epidermis, it is better to avoid using undiluted oil.
In cosmetology, flaxseed products are included in masks, compresses, lotions, and lotions. In order for the oil to fully demonstrate all its beneficial properties, be sure to take into account the type of epidermis.
For increased oiliness of the dermis, face masks made from linseed oil and a drying component are recommended. These are, for example, egg whites, citrus fruits. For mature skin, a combination of oil with honey, fruits, and dairy products is preferable.
Precautionary measures
Do not rush to smear flaxseed oil on your face as soon as you uncork the bottle. First, do a test for allergies and individual intolerances. Apply some liquid to your wrist or elbow area.
Monitor the condition of the skin in this area. If it begins to peel, turn red, hurt, or itch, flax seed extract is not suitable for you: neither in its pure form, nor as part of cosmetics. To be sure, you should wait up to 12 hours.
Other restrictive measures:
- Do not apply masks with oil at night, so as not to wake up in the morning with a swollen face. This will be due to the product’s ability to retain moisture.
- For the same reason, wash off homemade compositions containing flaxseed liquid from the skin, unless the recipe suggests otherwise. The pure extract is carefully removed from the face.
- Be careful not to get the liquid into your eyes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding are a reason to additionally consult with a specialist.
- For oral administration, the list is much more extensive: tumors, pancreatitis, gallbladder diseases (including the presence of stones), etc. Women who do not want to gain weight should be wary of the following fact: oil is considered a fairly high-calorie product.
Consult your doctor regardless of whether you plan to use flax seed extract externally or internally.
Linen lifting
The skin remains young and elastic if it contains sufficient amounts of elastin and collagen. These substances are included in anti-aging cosmetics. An excellent source of collagen is gelatin. It is this component that provides the lifting effect or tightening of the skin. And in the company of flax, the effect doubles. There is a special recipe for a tightening mask based on flax and gelatin. It is prepared like this.
- The basis. One teaspoon of gelatin is dissolved in eight teaspoons of liquid. If excessive dryness occurs, it is better to use milk or plain water. If the integument is fatty, then it is better to dissolve gelatin in herbal decoctions.
- Additional components. Add one teaspoon of flaxseed oil and aloe juice to the base. To enhance the rejuvenating effect, experts recommend adding vitamins A and E - five drops each. The mixture is stirred and left to swell.
- Features of application. The warm mixture (you can warm it up a little in the microwave) is applied to the face with a makeup brush. After 30 minutes, wash it off.
It is recommended to carry out the flax lifting procedure once a week. This homemade face mask made from flaxseed oil and gelatin is in no way inferior to anti-aging creams. After just a few procedures, the skin will tighten significantly.
Body care
In body care, flax oil can be used in its pure form or combined with other oils: almond, apricot, avocado, coconut. It perfectly moisturizes, restores and soothes, suitable for skin care after the negative effects of the sun and wind.
Fight cellulite and stretch marks
Taking flaxseed oil internally helps improve metabolic processes and activate the removal of toxins from the body, due to which extra pounds disappear faster.
Externally, flaxseed oil is used for anti-cellulite massage - alone or as a basis for creating anti-cellulite compositions from essential oils
An oil wrap will help you cope with the “orange peel”:
- you need to take 30 ml. flax oil, add three drops each of cypress and geranium esters, four drops of juniper;
- three tablespoons of oil are mixed with a tablespoon of liquid honey, add 2 drops of any citrus essential oil.
The mixture is applied to clean, steamed skin treated with a scrub and wrapped with cling film. After 40–60 minutes spent under a warm blanket, the mask is washed off with warm water and shower gel and a moisturizer is applied. Such procedures must be carried out in a course of 9–12 sessions, the optimal frequency is every other day.
The mixture for wraps or massage should always be freshly prepared and cannot be stored. It is better to use glass or ceramic dishes, since after contact with metal, oils quickly oxidize and lose their beneficial properties.
For pregnant women, flaxseed oil is perfect for preventing the formation of stretch marks and eliminating unpleasant sensations from skin tension as the tummy grows. 20 ml. flax oil is mixed with 30 ml. jojoba, add esters of neroli (1 drop), limetta (6 drops) and sandalwood (3 drops). This mixture is applied daily, it is better to do it immediately after a shower, when the skin is steamed and damp.
Honey and flaxseed oil are excellent companions in the fight against cellulite
Hand care
The oil perfectly moisturizes and nourishes the skin, eliminates peeling and cracks, which is especially important for the skin of the hands. Add two drops of eucalyptus, lemon and lavender esters to a tablespoon of oil. You can also use a combination of other esters: chamomile, rosemary, patchouli. The oil mixture is rubbed into the skin of the hands and nails for 10 minutes daily; in the cold season, when the skin is especially susceptible to various rashes and irritations, this procedure can be repeated twice a day. Flaxseed oil also has a beneficial effect on nails, moisturizing the nail plate and preventing their delamination.
Daily use of flaxseed oil will help strengthen your nails, preventing them from splitting.
To quickly restore the skin of your hands, you can use the following masks:
- A teaspoon of oil is mixed with the yolk, and 5-6 drops of tocopherol purchased at the pharmacy are added. Apply the mask in a thick layer to your hands, put on cotton gloves for half an hour, then wash off with water;
- a teaspoon of oil is mixed with the yolk, a teaspoon of honey and a tablespoon of lemon juice. The mask is worn under gloves for about three hours;
Oil massages
Massages using linseed oil have a rejuvenating effect. They can be carried out 1-2 times a week in a course of 6-8 sessions, after which they take a break of 4-6 months. Such massages are especially useful for those with sensitive skin, which reacts sharply to sudden temperature changes in the cold season and to dry air in heated rooms. Flax oil can be used in its pure form or mixed in equal proportions with jojoba or almond oils.
Oil scrubs
Scrubs based on flax oil will moisturize and soothe the skin, rid it of dead cells, and saturate it with useful substances. A tablespoon of oil will be enough for the face. It is mixed with the same amount of oatmeal; if you grind it in a coffee grinder, the peeling will be more gentle. You can also replace the flakes with ground coffee. For the body, the proportions should be increased at your discretion. When used on problem areas of the hips and abdomen, you can add 3-4 drops of any citrus essential oil to achieve an anti-cellulite effect.
Oil-based coffee scrubs perfectly cleanse and moisturize the skin, fight cellulite and stretch marks.
Goodbye crow's feet
For the sensitive dermis around the eyes, only gentle products can be used. Flaxseed oil is too heavy for this area. However, it is what effectively eliminates wrinkles around the eyes. Therefore, you should not completely abandon the product. To eliminate wrinkles in a delicate area, you can use this method.
- The basis. The basis is oil with a light consistency. It can be jojoba, grape seed or wheat germ oil.
- Additional components. To five parts of the base add one part of the flax product.
- Features of application. Using a cotton pad, carefully apply the mixture of oils to the dermis under the eyes and on the eyelid. After 15 minutes, blot the covers with a napkin to remove excess; it is not recommended to overload delicate fabrics with oil.
Related video Conversation about the benefits of flaxseed oil in Elena Malysheva’s TV show
Hair Mask
In addition to a massage with linseed oil, you can make a nourishing mask for the scalp. Heat a small amount of the product in a water bath without boiling, as we already described above in the article. Add the egg to the warm oil and combine the mixture. Wet your hair with water and squeeze out excess liquid with a towel. Distribute the mask composition along the entire length of the curls and rub a little with light movements into both the roots and ends of the strands. You can go over the entire length of the comb a couple of times. This will deliver flax oil to all areas of the scalp. Then wrap your hair in cellophane and wrap it in a warm scarf or towel.
The mask is kept on for at least an hour, although, according to reviews, some leave this wrapping on all night. Next, you need to wash it off with shampoo twice to completely remove any remaining oil. It is recommended to rinse your hair with an additional herbal infusion or dilute a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water.
“A product that prolongs life,” - expert opinion
Don't forget that the skin needs nutrition not only locally, but also internally. And flaxseed oil can help here too. It is recommended for food as a corrector for the condition of the skin and hair, as an immune support and to strengthen the cardiovascular system.
Neurologist Dmitry Shubin spoke about the benefits of consuming flaxseed oil in the program “Live Healthy.” According to him, the main value of flax oil is Omega-3, that is, linoleic and linolenic acids. They lower cholesterol and minimize the risk of developing atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack. “As a result, they prolong our lives,” the expert emphasized.
But if you choose this “internal” method of using flaxseed oil for your face, you should consult your doctor. Perhaps there are individual characteristics of the body and the product is contraindicated for you. Plus, you should remember that flax oil is not intended for frying, since toxic substances appear in it when heated. The oil is recommended for dressing salads or as an addition to porridges, but not hot ones.
Help for chapped hands
After a long stay in the wind, both on sunny summer days and cold winters, the skin turns red, becomes very dry and itchy. This means that the skin of your hands is chapped and you need to urgently put it in order, otherwise it will become rough and look simply terrible.
The following mixture can provide first aid - 1 tbsp. l. butter, the same amount of honey and juice squeezed from half a lemon. Mix all ingredients thoroughly in a container and apply to clean, washed hands. Put on cotton gloves and leave the homemade cream on for 3 hours.
