Flax (Linseed) Seed Oil (INCI: Linum usitatissimum Seed Oil)

Flax, also known commonly as linseed, is a tall, slender-stemmed plant that is native to Mediterranean regions, the Middle East, and part of India. It has pale blue flowers that give way to a small, dry fruit that contains several brown seeds. For thousands of years cultures indigenous to these geographical regions have used flax seeds to make fabrics, natural paper, and several culinary dishes. Medicinally, ingestion of flax seeds has been associated in several studies with a reduction in certain types of cancer and tumors. This is almost certainly due to the abundance of phytonutrients in the seeds (including several B vitamins, vitamin C, and various minerals). It is most well-known for it's high ratio of omega-3 fatty acids, which are often credited for its health benefits.

In skincare formulas, the omega-3 fatty acid composition of flax seed oil is of particular interest because it has calming properties against irritation and inflammation in addition to its moisturizing properties. This is most likely why those with eczema and psoriasis skin conditions respond so well to topically applied flax seed oil preparations. There is also some indication that the oil of flax seeds is useful in healing scars and that unlike many oils it is able to hydrate the skin without clogging pores (in fact, it has been known to prevent acne formation by diluting skin's sebum oils that clog pores).