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flax seed oil in skin care products

Flax seed oil in skin care products

Written by: Dr. Leslie Baumann

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Time to read 5 min

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!

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What is flax seed oil

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:

This wide variety of compounds explains the increasingly common use of flax seed oil in skin care products.

benefits of flax seed oil

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.

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flax seed for dry skin

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!

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Level up your skin care knowledge with medical advice from dermatologists

Is flax seed as good as botox?

Botox is a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles in the face to prevent the development of various facial wrinkles. Botox needs to be injected, and is very potent at what it does. Flax seed oil has functionally nothing in common with botox and is not a suitable replacement to botox. Also, flax seed oil is not an injectable product.

Does flax seed cause or prevent cancer?

Flax seed oil contains antioxidants which can play a role in eliminating cancer causing free radicals, however, there is no conclusive evidence that flaxseed, or any other ingredient for that matter, is a guaranteed cure or preventor for cancer.

Does flax seed oil affect hormones?

Flax seed has no significant impact on hormones in men or women. Additionally, it is considered non-toxic and safe for use by multiple independent research organizations such as the Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel.

Best References and Scientific Publications on Flaxseed oil in skin care

    1. Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
    2. Baumann, L. Ch.  Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
    3. Draganescu D, Ibanescu C, Tamba BI, Andritoiu CV, Dodi G, Popa MI. Flaxseed lignan wound healing formulation: characterization and in vivo therapeutic evaluation. Int J Biol Macromol. 2015 Jan;72:614-23. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2014.09.012. Epub 2014 Sep 17. PMID: 25239193.


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