7 Skin Benefits of Flax Seeds + Recipes To Use Them Inside + Out

Not only is flaxseed packed with nutritional benefits when eaten regularly, but it also has massive benefits for your skin when used topically. Whether added to your daily oatmeal or used as a toning and tightening eye mask, flaxseed increases your vitality. Here’s how to get the skin benefits of flaxseed—both inside and out.

It sounds strange, but a few years ago, I got on a massive seed kick. I read somewhere that world-class swimmers swore by chia seeds to boost their energy and stamina. (Um, sign me up.)

Not content to settle for just any old seeds, even those endorsed by Olympic athletes, I started looking into all sorts of superfood seeds I could add to my diet. One that kept popping up over and over again was flaxseed.

Jump to:

• Flax Seed Benefits for Skin
• 1. Prevents acne
• 2. Soothes skin irritation
• 3. Softens fine lines
• Flax Seed Gel Eye Mask
• Dietary Flax Seed Benefits
• 4. Gives skin a healthy glow
• 5. Improves digestion
• 6. Balances hormones
• 7. Improves hair health
• Chocolate Milk with Flax Seeds and Maca
• Instructions
• 6 More Ways to Use Flax Seeds
• FAQ
• 📖 Recipe

Flax Seed Benefits for Skin

Flaxseed is one of the world’s oldest crops, having been eaten and used medicinally since the beginning of civilization. These days, while primarily used as a source of fiber for paper and fabric (linen—to be exact), it’s still considered a superfood that provides a plethora of health and beauty benefits.

Here are just a few of the skin benefits of flaxseeds:

1. Prevents acne

We know that acne is caused by inflammation, imbalanced hormones, and the plugging of skin cells in pores. Flax seeds are high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that help curb inflammation in the skin. Flax fiber has also been shown to have a potent healing effect on the skin [source].

Second, flax is high in lignans, which inhibit 5 alpha-reductase, an enzyme involved in the conversion of testosterone to DHT [source]. In short, flaxseeds help to balance the production of androgen hormones that can lead to acne.

And third, essential fatty acids strengthen the skin's cell membranes, helping to lock moisture in and make it less susceptible to hormonal fluctuations and excessive oil production.

2. Soothes skin irritation

Highly concentrated antioxidants found in flaxseed protect skin against free radicals and UV rays. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce redness and irritation while encouraging skin cells to heal more quickly.

3. Softens fine lines

The same antioxidant properties that soothe inflammation and irritation can also soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles [source]. When applied topically, the oils in flaxseed help nourish the skin, balance oil production, improve the skin barrier, and provide much-needed nutrients that are often stripped by harsh cleansers and over-exfoliation.

Even the seeds themselves replenish vitamins and minerals in the skin, so it looks radiantly healthy. And the fatty acids in flaxseed help to tone, tighten, firm, and plump the skin back to a more youthful appearance.

Applying flaxseed gel (which occurs naturally when ground flaxseeds are combined with water) or rubbing a few drops of flaxseed oil directly on your skin can help make it appear fuller and tighter.

Flax Seed Gel Eye Mask

• 2 tablespoon flax seed freshly ground
• 3 tablespoon filtered water
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• ½ teaspoon raw honey
• 2 drops chamomile essential oil

Instructions

Dietary Flax Seed Benefits

Flax seeds are a good source of healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber as well as protein, lignans, and the essential fatty acid ALA (alpha-linolenic acid). As a matter of fact, flaxseed is the richest plant source of ALA in the world, with 70%% of its total fat profile made up of ALA [source].

It’s also high in other valuable fatty acids, such as palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids, that are beneficial to the body [source].

And because flaxseed is loaded with fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and phytochemicals called lignans, they’re also said to help balance body weight, lower bad cholesterol, and improve heart health [source].

But when it comes to beauty, dietary flaxseed also has a few tricks up its sleeve. Here are a few of its beauty benefits from the inside out:

4. Gives skin a healthy glow

Just like when applied topically, eating flaxseed can help repair skin from the inside out. The nutrients found in flaxseed provide much-needed vitamins and minerals, which in turn fight fatigue and slow down the aging process.

And by curbing inflammation, balancing androgen production, and strengthening the integrity of skin cells, flaxseeds can make skin look smoother and more radiant.

5. Improves digestion

Gorgeous skin starts in the gut. Luckily, flaxseed is loaded with both soluble and insoluble fiber, which can help improve regularity (one of the body’s major detox pathways). It also helps promote digestive health by feeding the good bacteria in the gut [source].

6. Balances hormones

Flax seeds contain high amounts of antioxidant compounds called lignans. Lignans are a group of phytochemicals that have weakly estrogenic and anti-estrogenic properties, which means that, when eaten regularly, they can help balance the ratio of progesterone and estrogen in the body.

7. Improves hair health

It's not all about skin, there are several flax seed benefits for hair as well. Flaxseed is a good source of B-complex vitamins known for making hair grow strong, healthy, and fast.

And it also contains vitamin E, which helps reduce the effects of free radicals on your scalp, thereby promoting hair growth. And because it's a source of healthy fat, flax seed may boost hair shine, too. 

Chocolate Milk with Flax Seeds and Maca

• 3 cups almond milk unsweetened
• 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon flax seed freshly ground
• 2 teaspoon maca powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoon coconut oil
• ½ ripe banana
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Instructions

Add all the ingredients into a blender and process until creamy. Enjoy immediately and refrigerate any leftovers.

6 More Ways to Use Flax Seeds

Freshly ground flaxseeds are easier to use than their whole counterparts, which tend to pass through the GI tract undigested. Here are a few ways to get more flaxseeds in your daily routine:

1. Add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed to salad dressings or smoothies.

2. Soak whole flax seeds in filtered water overnight and drink the infused water the next day. You can also apply the flax seed water like a toner, helping to hydrate tired skin. 

3. Mix a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into 8 ounces yogurt, granola, or oatmeal for a quick fix.

4. Make a flax seed hair gel to tame frizz, define curls, and add shine to your hair.

5. Bake ground flaxseed into bread, muffins, or other baked goods.

6. Massage flaxseed oil into your skin as a moisturizer, leaving it soft, supple and hydrated.

FAQ

📖 Recipe

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

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