Seldom was the humble flaxseed given a second thought.

Sure, it had a well-deserved reputation as an egg replacer in vegan recipes. But now this nutritional food is a social media star and is being praised as nature’s Botox for the skin.

What a turnaround from its days of being a smoothie add-in and a salad topper!

Flaxseed’s Skin-Deep Super Powers

Packed with omega-3 fatty acids, lignans, and antioxidants, flaxseeds offer anti-inflammatory effects. When applied to the face, these same nutrients may protect against free radical damage.

When flaxseeds are combined with water, the mucilage in the seeds forms a goopy gel-like mixture. When applied as a facial, this flaxseed mixture hydrates and tightens the skin. Fine lines and wrinkles are smoothed out, and redness and irritation are alleviated.

The natural oils within flaxseeds offer moisturizing properties, making the skin appear plumper and smoother due to the seeds’ water retention properties. Fans report that these effects can be achieved with just one to two flaxseed facials a week.

Does It Work?

Is all this too good to be true? Dermatologists caution that the positive felt effects of a flaxseed facial can be attributed to the beneficial health properties of the seeds themselves, rather than the seeds acting as some sort of miracle Botox substitute.

Fans of flaxseed facials say that when done regularly, these masks do indeed tighten the skin. They also act as an exfoliant, helping remove dead skin cells.

Although it needs to be said that many report the effects are short lived.

To Grind or Not to Grind?

When you look up flaxseed facials online, you’ll see attractive and youthful faces covered in smatterings of golden-brown seeds. There’s no doubt these photos make eye-catching posts.

But these images bring up a debate: Is it better to do a flaxseed facial with whole seeds or ground ones?

Dermatologists recommend that the seeds be ground into a fine powder first. This approach offers more effective results than a whole-seed facial. One downside? The resulting pics won’t be as interesting to share!

Another consideration regarding the whole versus ground seed debate is that the masks made from ground flaxseeds tend to be easier to wash from the skin than those made with whole seeds.

DIY Flaxseed Facial Mask

One big bonus of flaxseed facials is their affordability. The cost was a mere 20 cents per application!

Here’s an easy-to-make recipe that yields enough for two to three flaxseed facials.

1. Finely grind 1 tablespoon of whole flaxseeds.
2. Pour [q:1/3] cup of boiling water over the ground seeds.
3. Stir and let the mixture sit for 2 hours.
4. Apply the mask over clean skin. Let the mask sit on the skin for 25 minutes.
5. Thoroughly wash the mask off with lukewarm water, using circular motions.
6. Pat the skin dry and apply moisturizer, if desired.

Optionally mix in one or all the following once the flaxseed mixture has cooled:

• [q:1/2] Tbsp manuka honey
• [q:1/2] Tbsp aloe vera gel
• [q:1/2] tsp coconut oil

Results

The mask produces a pleasant cooling effect as it dries. Expect your skin to look and feel tighter after the facial. Mine did. It was also significantly softer.

But I have to agree with others: the effects of a flaxseed facial are short lived. The tightening that was so impressive right after removing the mask only lasted a few hours, if that, for me.

Keep It Fresh

• Make small batches of mask. Mixtures left out for too long can spoil and grow mold and bacteria.
• If you end up with extra mask, store remnants in a glass container in the fridge up to three days.

Precautions

Spot test a small amount of flaxseed mask on the inside of your wrist or arm. If there’s no redness or irritation after 24 hours, proceed with the facial.

Keep flaxseed facials to a maximum of two per week to avoid irritation.

• Allergies

  Some people can be allergic to flaxseeds, so be aware that skin reactions and sensitivities can occur.

• Sensitive Skin

  If you have sensitive skin, strongly consider adding aloe vera gel for a more soothing application.

• Oily Skin

  If your skin is oily, the oils in flaxseeds may make existing breakouts worse.

In our 20s and 30s, a softening of the jawline is hardly a concern. We pay little, if any, attention to our necks and chins.

But once mid-life hits, the mirror doesn’t lie. We can hardly believe the face staring back at us.

Cheeks, once smooth and taut, have receded. Our neck skin is loose, and the jaw that once had definition is now a bit of a mess.

It can be distressing when the image reflected back to us doesn’t appear as it once did. Fortunately, jowls are harmless and don’t require medical intervention.

But: it helps to know how they happen, and what we can do about them—if we so choose.

Causes of Droopy Jowls

Here are some common issues that cause loose and sagging facial skin.

• Age

  Due to a natural decline in collagen production, skin’s elasticity decreases. Fat in the face is distributed evenly when we’re young. But as we get older that fat loses volume and can drift down, causing cheeks to sag.

  Another unfortunate thing: our chins and necks actually accumulate more fat as we age, causing a jowly look. Skin becomes drier and thinner, which makes it hard for it to appear tight and defined.

• Time

  Gravity is constantly pulling down on the cheeks, and this can give the appearance of sagging jowls.

• Major Weight Changes

  Extreme or rapid weight loss can give a droopy and hanging appearance to the skin.

• Cigarettes and Alcohol

  Smoking and drinking lead to premature aging, including dry and drooping skin.

• Genetics

  Weak chins are often an inherited trait. If either of your parents had jowls, chances are good you will too. If you have thin skin, jowls may appear even earlier for you—as soon as the teens or 20s.

• Ultraviolet (UV) Light

  UV light accelerates the breakdown of collagen and it affects elastin, causing the skin to stretch and lose its ability to snap back. Avoid extreme sun exposure, and use a facial sunscreen daily. Also consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat when outdoors.

• Repetitive Habits

  Talking on a phone with it pressed to the face overuses the mouth and jaw area.

  Repetitively looking down at a computer or smartphone for hours a day also causes a loss of elasticity in the neck. There’s even a name for this syndrome: tech neck.

  Chewing gum and frowning can be other reasons why skin loosens around the chin. Yet another reason to smile more.

Mitigating Saggy Skin

To help improve the appearance of an aging face, try the following. 

• Facial Massage

  Massage techniques, as well as instruments like facial rollers and the gua sha, help create a more contoured appearance for the jawline. They also help improve circulation for a more lifted look.

• Facial Exercises

  Often referred to as facial yoga, it helps improve the structure of the face and can help jaw and neck muscles better retain their shape.

  Hold each of the following exercises for 5 to 20 seconds each, and then release. Repeat 8 to 12 times a few times a day. 

  1. Close your mouth and blow the cheeks up and out as far as comfortable.
  2. Chew with the head slightly lifted up.
  3. Place the lower lip over the top lip, and tilt the head up.
  4. Press the tongue against the roof of the mouth and hum.
  5. Grin as widely as possible, and then slowly tilt the head up and down.

• Mewing

  Mewing has helped some people by changing the construction of their jaws. Developed by orthodontists, this technique involves keeping the tongue pressed on the mouth’s upper palate while applying increased pressure over time.

• Lymphatic Massage

  Lymphatic massage helps clear fluids that build up in the lymphatic system and lymph nodes. A lymph massage, particularly along the jaw and neck, can lessen puffiness and encourage toxins to drain from the body.

• Topical Skin Care

  Moisturizers and creams can minimize the appearance of aging. Look for ingredients like vitamin A, C, or E; hyaluronic acid; CoQ10; and retinol.

  While no product can perform the magic of fully lifting saggy skin, high-quality and effective ingredients can help.

• Facial Masks

  Facial masks can be used to tighten the skin. Look for ingredients like cucumber juice extract and aloe vera.

• Makeup

  Makeup contouring along the chin and neck with the right shade of concealer or base can lessen the appearance of jowl lines.

• Sleeping Posture

  Sleep on your back instead of your side or stomach. Years of sleeping on the side or stomach puts strain on the face and accelerates aging.

• Limit Sugar Intake

  Too much of the sweet stuff causes the body to store unhealthy fat tissues. If you have sugar cravings, reach for fresh fruit.

Age Gracefully

Lastly, remember that sagging skin is a normal part of aging gracefully and nothing to take shame in. It happens to everyone as they get older.

Many of us expected to leave acne behind once we were out of our teens. The blemishes we now find as adults seem like cruel, as well as unsightly, little jokes. With the help of aromatherapy and herbals, it’s possible to help clear the skin of breakouts and to keep them at bay.

Basic Facial Care Routine

Among the steps recommended for acne by aromatherapists Kathi Keville and Mindy Green:

• Thorough Cleansing

  Depending on your skin type, cleanse up to three times a day.

• Facial Steaming

  Take the time to gently steam your skin up to twice a week.

• Exfoliation

  Use only gentle, natural exfoliants, such as papaya.

• Astringent Mask

  To a clay base, add toner and antibacterial essential oils.

• Antiseptic & Healing Toner

  Use vinegar and aloe vera or hydrosols.

• Moisturize

  Find a lotion that’s not heavy or greasy, one whose main ingredient is aloe.

Essential Oils for Acne Treatment

• Essential oil of tea tree is popular for acne with blackheads, cysts, or infection.
• Blue chamomile, lavender, and rose geranium help cool an outbreak.
• For hormone-related acne, even after adolescence, consider carrot seed, clary sage, and frankincense. Dilute essential oils in a carrier oil like argan and do a patch test before applying to your face.

Homemade floral toners are gentle cleansers for the skin that will clean and shrink pores and can also help redress natural pH levels for certain skin types.

How to Use Skin Toner

Toner should be applied to the skin—using cotton wool or by spritzing directly onto skin—after you’ve washed your face and before moisturizing.

DIY Toner Recipes

Floral Water Toner

To make this gentle skin freshener that’s good for oily skin:

1. Put 5 tablespoons rose petals, 4 tablespoons sage leaves, 3 tablespoons raspberry leaves, and 2 tablespoons rosemary leaves into a jar without a metal lid and add 200ml (7 fl oz) hot apple cider vinegar.
2. Seal the jar and let steep for 2 weeks, shaking daily.
3. Strain into a bowl and add 150 ml (5 fl oz) rosewater (see below), then transfer to a separate jar without a metal lid. Store in a dark, cool place or the fridge for up to 7 days.

Cucumber & Green Tea Toner

1. Combine equal quantities of cucumber juice and green tea (which you can make from the leaves of the tea camellia) with 1 tablespoon of vodka. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Simple Rosewater

The simplest way to make rosewater is to:

1. Put the petals from 3 or 4 homegrown roses (or roses from a reputable and organic source) in a small saucepan, add 300 ml (10 fl oz) distilled water, and bring to a boil.
2. Immediately reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes or until the petals have lost their color.
3. Strain the mixture and store the rosewater in a sealed jar. Store in a cool place or the fridge for up to 7 days. If the water becomes cloudy or the aroma changes, throw it away and make a fresh batch.

As someone who tried every product out there to combat acne-prone skin prior to encountering Ayurveda, I’m delighted to share one of my favorite Ayurvedic skin care recipes. It’s made from wonderful ingredients that are just as good for you when applied to your skin as they are when cooked and eaten. This is a great skin care treatment if you’re looking to prevent acne and keep your skin looking and feeling youthful and fresh.

All four ingredients in this DIY facemask (masoor dal, sandalwood powder, turmeric, and saffron) are stars in promoting healthy skin. The time I spend making and applying my facemask is a special self-care home spa time—and is much less expensive than going to a professional spa! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Ingredients for an Ayurvedic Facemask

• Sandalwood Powder for Cooling & Soothing

  This pleasantly scented powder is cooling and soothing, making it a go-to herb for bleeding and burning conditions in the body. Blood-purifying, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and intellect-promoting, sandalwood is also believed to promote happiness (ahladana in Sanskrit). No wonder it’s one of the most popular Ayurvedic beauty herbs.

• Collagen to Nourish Your Skin from Within

  Collagen is a key component of the skin’s structure, responsible for keeping it firm and elastic. As we age, our bodies naturally begin to slow the production of collagen, resulting in fine lines and wrinkles, and decreased moisture.

  Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and exercising regularly can help slow the process of collagen loss and dryness.

  Research indicates that collagen supplements can also help counteract the natural signs of aging. A group of healthy women with visible signs of aging were given a daily collagen supplement for 12 weeks. At the end of the study, their skin had improved dramatically, with fewer visible lines and wrinkles, and a significant decrease in dryness and scaling.

• Turmeric to Improve Your Complexion

  Turmeric improves the complexion, tone, and texture of your skin. It’s also an antiallergenic, antimicrobial, antioxidant herb that builds immunity, especially when consumed internally as part of many healing Ayurvedic recipes. Turmeric, like sandalwood, is a terrific blood purifier. Turmeric’s beautifying quality is so famous among Indians that brides dedicate an entire ritual to applying turmeric-based skin care recipes to their skin the day before their wedding.

• Saffron to Rejuvenate Your Skin

  A wonderful rejuvenating herb, saffron helps heal headaches when applied externally with ghee and consumed internally in warm milk. It’s used in a great variety of cosmetics.

• Masoor Dal for Minerals (optional)

  This is a superstar reddish-orange lentil that you can buy at any Indian store and many natural food stores. It’s highly beneficial for fevers when cooked and consumed as food, and Ayurveda believes it’s also a great blood purifier when used internally and externally.