IF you’re on TikTok and remotely interested in skincare, you’ve no doubt come across the viral flaxseed mask that promises Botox-like results.
For the past few weeks, my feed has been populated by people straining slimy-looking goop through a cheesecloth and slathering it on their face to do away with their wrinkles.
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The trend seems to have been kicked off by TikTok creator Victoria Benitez.
In a clip that’s garnered over seven million views, she dips her fingers into a pot filled with a clear, gloopy mixture, declaring: “You see this right here? This is Botox. This is Botox that you make at home, honey.”
I’ll admit, the videos are pretty satisfying.
And the mask’s appeal rests on the fact that you can make it with two ingredients – water and 99p flaxseeds.
An attractive prospect when most anti-ageing treatments cost you a pretty penny nowadays, right?
At 26, I’m not really at the age where I’d consider Botox, nor do I have wrinkles, bar a small line across the top of my forehead I’ve had since I was 12.
But I do sometimes obsess about the horizontal grooves in my neck – a byproduct of scrolling on my phone for hours if I’m to believe TikTok dermatologists.
So overall, I wasn’t opposed to giving this ‘natural Botox’ a go.
What is the DIY Botox mask?
Flaxseeds are small brown seeds that are packed with fibre and omega-3 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals.
They’re commonly used to improve digestion and ease constipation, but research also suggests that consuming them could help lower cholesterol levels.
Now, the nutrient-packed seeds are being touted for their skin and hair health benefits.
To make the mask, you mix half a cup of flaxseeds into two cups of water until a thick, gel-like mixture forms.
There’s some debate over whether you should use cold or hot water, or bring the seeds and water to boil together.
Dr Sach Mohan, founder of Harley Street-based Revere Clinics, told Sun Health: “When flax seeds are soaked in hot water, they could potentially release a variety of active ingredients.”
These include “omega-3 fatty acids – primarily one called alpha-linolenic acid – which are known for their moisturising and anti-inflammatory properties,” the skin specialist said.
“They help maintain the skin’s barrier function and can soothe irritated skin.”
Flaxseeds are also rich in a type of phytoestrogen called lignans.
“Lignans, with their antioxidant properties, aid in combating free radicals, contributing to a youthful skin appearance,” Dr Mohan said.
Finally, the skin specialist said the viscous solution the seeds release when mixed with water can form a protective layer on your skin, “offering hydration and a calming effect”.
Can it have the same effect as Botox?
So, it sounds like this social media-famous mask could do some good things to your skin – but does it actually work like Botox?
Dr Mohan was quick to burst the bubble.
“It’s crucial to address a common misconception,” he told Sun Health.
“Flaxseeds are not an alternative to Botox.
“Botox works by temporarily paralysing muscles to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, which is a function that flax seeds cannot replicate.”
There are several reasons flaxseeds can’t quite capture the face-freezing effects of the injectable treatment.
For starters, “flaxseeds don’t contain any ingredients that can inhibit muscle contracture like Botox does,” Dr Mohan said.
They also have “skin penetration limitations,” according to the skin specialist.
“The active ingredients in flaxseeds primarily work on the skin’s surface or within the upper layers of the skin.
“They do not have the capability to penetrate deeply enough to reach the muscles,” Dr Mohan went on.
While the seeds can give your skin a dose of nutritional benefits, “enhancing its appearance and health”, the skin specialist said they “do not interact with the neuromuscular system, which is essential for the wrinkle-reducing effects seen with Botox”.
“While flaxseeds, if formulated with ingredients to stabilise, preserve and penetrate the skin, could be a safe, natural addition to skincare regimes for their nourishing properties, they should not be considered a substitute for treatments like Botox,” he concluded.
Attempt one
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After hearing what Dr Mohan had to say about the flaxseed masks, my expectations were slightly dampened.
But I was still hopeful that my cold-weather-parched skin would get some much needed hydration out of the mask.
Maybe it would even help clear up some persistent pimples I’ve had lurking under my chin since Christmas.
I bought a bag of unmilled seeds at Holland & Barrett – but you can also find them whole at Morrisons, Wholefoods and Amazon.
They cost about a fiver, working out at about 75p per half-cup (70g) serving.
I also ordered some cheesecloth for £3.99 off Amazon, though you can make do with a fine mesh sieve or not straining your mask at all.
All in all, you’re looking at about a quid for each mask – a fraction of the cost of Botox.
To make the mask, I poured half a cup of flaxseeds into a jar and poured freshly boiled water over them before mixing for 30 seconds.
I then let the mixture hang out in the fridge for about 24 hours, to let it thicken up before giving the mask a go.
By now, I’d watched enough TikToks showing the mixture transforming into a thick, jelly-like gloop to be sorely disappointed when I checked on my mask a day later.
Upon first observation, it looked thin, runny and very much like water.
I chose not to strain it just yet and poured a small amount into a bowl so I could take a closer look. It felt slightly tacky between my fingers, but nothing like the gloriously goopy stuff I’d seen all over TikTok.
Disappointing start aside, I decided to give the mask a go.
I pushed my hair out of my face with a headband and I slathered the stuff on – or tried to.
It was so thin it just felt like I was patting water or a very thin serum over my skin and my face just felt wet. I took an inordinate amount of selfies and waited for things to happen.
5 minutes
A few minutes in, I felt some tightness along my forehead and chin, as well as my neck.
I did a frown test in the mirror though and lines still popped up on my forehead.
15 minutes
My forehead was definitely feeling tighter at this point, as well as my neck.
I asked my sister to take some pictures of me trying to frown and move my face – I could.
She said “you’re not going to like the pictures”, and it’s true, I didn’t. But all for the sake of journalism.
30 minutes
At this point, my facial mobility and expressions are slightly restricted.
1 hour
I noticed some dry looking patches around my mouth when I went to wash the mask off, but my skin felt soft as I sluiced it with water, so I felt hopeful that I’d gotten a much needed hydration boost.
However, I began to fee a slight itchy burny feeling on my cheekbones and chin after I applied my own skincare, which gradually intensified.
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I looked in the mirror shortly afterwards and my face looked quite red.
By the time I climbed into bed, my skin felt very, very dry so I smeared on a thick layer of La Roche Posay’s Cicaplast repairing balm – a super thick moisturiser I only use when my skin feels super dehydrated.
Attempt two
I waited two days before looking at the mixture again.
This time, there was some definite clumping around the seeds and it looked quite a bit thicker, which was encouraging.
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I pulled out my cheesecloth and separated the goop from the seeds, a task I found extraordinarily satisfying.
The gel left over in the bowl had a light brownish grey tinge – to be honest, it looked a little bit like snot.
But the cool gloop felt very soothing against my skin and actually stayed put on my face this time, instead of running off.
5 minutes
Again the same deal, I could feel some tightening around my temples.
15 minutes
The mask works quickly and after 15 minutes my face was mostly immobile.
A sneeze came over me and it was quite an awkward experience, as I couldn’t really open my mouth.
30 minutes
Half an hour in, my face was feeling very dry and tight. It was little itchy whenever I tried to move it.
45 minutes
The mask started peeling away around my mouth from talking and chewing – I did start eating my dinner as I felt too hungry to wait another 15 minutes.
1 hour
I washed the mask off after an hour.
My face definitely felt tight and the mask took a while to wash off because it was much thicker.
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My skin felt quite soft and thankfully, it looked and felt much less dry and itchy than after attempt one.
I did my usual skincare and I can admit that my skin looked fairly glowy.
In the next couple days, I noticed that the lingering pimples under my chin and on my neck were smaller and less red.
But I can’t definitely say that this was down to the mask or if there was some placebo effect.
Final thoughts
As far as masks go, it’s not too messy to prepare and strain, as long as you have cheesecloth or a good sieve. And it does seem to keep for a good few days in the fridge.
I’m not convinced it’s nature’s answer to Botox, and I suspect I’d need to consistently reapply the mask to see any visible changes to my skin.
Would I make the mask again? I’m not sure. I do have a rather large bag of flaxseeds in my cupboard that I need to figure out some use for.
But I’m not opposed to finishing off the mask still left in my fridge.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
And since the ingredients are so cheap, you could do worse than grabbing some flaxseeds and giving the mask a whirl.
Remember – patience will work in your favour if you want gloriously gloopy results.
Anti-ageing skincare tips
IF you want to try a more traditional route to anti-ageing skincare, there are a few products you can go for.
From the offset, dermatologists will recommend that you wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, which can accelerate ageing as well as cause cancer.
Though places like the UK aren’t sunny year-round, it’s still worth wearing an SPF daily.
One of the major drivers of skin ageing is the loss of collagen – this is the ‘scaffolding’ of your skin that holds it tight, plump and taut.
As it naturally fades, your skin looks deflated and saggy, causing fine lines and wrinkles.
One of the ways to address collagen loss is to use retinoid products.