Flaxseed Flour: A Sustainable Way to Exfoliate Your Skin
Exfoliation with flaxseed flour brings many benefits to the skin and does not contain microplastic pollutants from rivers and oceans
Exfoliation is a very important treatment for the skin and should be done on the face and other parts of the body. It helps in removing dead cells and impurities that are present in the skin due to attacks from agents present in our daily lives, such as pollution, sunlight, dust, among others. A sustainable option for skin exfoliation is linseed flour, a natural product where its residues do not have significant impacts on the environment.
In addition to removing dead skin cells, many other benefits are provided by exfoliating with flaxseed flour. Helps fight acne, thins the skin, leaving it uniform and ready to receive hydration. Many other benefits of exfoliation can be seen in the article "Exfoliation has many benefits for the skin, but it needs to be made of natural products".
The biggest problem with exfoliating products and creams is the microplastics they can contain. The colored balls present in many of these products, most of the time, are made of polyethylene microspheres, which do not degrade in the environment, harming aquatic life and polluting oceans and rivers.
Thus, the best way to avoid the consumption of these polluting microspheres is the use of natural exfoliants that are not harmful to the environment.
One of the best known and most used natural exfoliants is flaxseed flour, or flaxseed powder, obtained from flax seeds, rich in mineral salts, vitamins and fatty acids (mainly omegas 3, 6 and 9).
Flaxseed has antioxidant property, which prevents free radicals, fighting skin aging. It is anti-inflammatory, being very effective in treating acne and preventing pimples and blackheads.
Due to its anti-inflammatory action, flaxseed flour can also be used to treat skin with dermatitis, eczema and other diseases. However, these regions should not be exfoliated so as not to cause irritation and aggravation of the condition. For these cases, the most suitable is to make a paste using flaxseed flour with grape seed oil or wheat germ oil, which also have anti-inflammatory properties and help in the treatment of skin diseases. After this procedure, apply the paste over the region without rubbing. Leave on for a few minutes and remove with warm water. It is noteworthy that the visit to the dermatologist is always very important.
As it is an exfoliant with low granulometry - that is, it has small fine particles of flaxseed - it is indicated for exfoliation on the face, as it will not irritate the sensitive skin of the face. Thicker regions of the body, such as feet, elbows and knees will not feel the necessary effect, as they need exfoliating substances with greater granulometry. For these cases, sugar, passion fruit seeds and apricot seeds are more suitable than flaxseed flour (for more information, visit the article "The benefits of natural exfoliation with apricot seeds")
The facial skin will benefit from the linseed-based exfoliation, becoming smoother, more uniform and renewed. In addition, the flaxseed flour has the action of deep cleansing the skin, unclogging the pores.
This flour is also used as an ingredient to make handmade soaps, exfoliating the body, face and hands during the bath.
How to use
Flaxseed flour can be mixed with bee honey, ready-made cream bases that are free of harmful chemicals, or also with liquid facial soaps. The amount of powder to be added depends on the type of skin and the region to be applied. For the face, you should put less amount because it is a more sensitive region, as well as people with acneic skin should be careful when using the exfoliant. Extreme cases of acne should not be exfoliated without medical advice. In the body, as it is a less sensitive region, the mixture must be made with more granulometry.
The application is done with the fingers, in smooth and circular movements, applying light pressure while spreading the product over the face. In body exfoliations, the pressure should be increased a little. Eyes and mouths should not be exfoliated - for lips, there are suitable exfoliants. After application, let the exfoliant act for a few minutes and remove with warm water. Finish with a moisturizing cream, vegetable oil or if the exfoliation is done during the day, apply a sunscreen before exposing yourself to the sun. It is essential to make a good hydration after exfoliation.
You can find flaxseed powder, vegetable oils, cream foundations and other 100% natural products at eCycle store and make your own exfoliating cream according to your taste.
The linseed powder-based exfoliation is also indicated for dry skin and sensitive to sunlight. Remember that the frequency of exfoliation varies depending on your skin type.