Dermatologist gives their verdict on the viral flaxseed mask people say is ‘like Botox’ (Picture: itsjennnnnaa/tiktok)
TikTok is going crazy for a two ingredient face mask influencers claim is just as good as Botox.
While the average Botox treatment in the UK will set you back anywhere from £100 to £350, the at-home mask just needs flaxseeds and water – but does it actually work?
‘It just feels like Botox in a bottle, except at home,’ said TikToker Alexis Dimaya (@alexisdimaya), who claimed she had been using the mask ‘forever’.
TikToker Jenna (@itsjennnnnaa) shared how she makes the viral mask. She takes two tablespoons of flaxseeds and two cups of water and puts them in a pan on the hob.
She brings it to a boil and then lets it simmer for 10 minutes, at which point the consistency will start to become gloopy.
Then she takes a cheesecloth and places the mixture in it (after letting it cool) and strains the mixture of the seeds.
The viral flaxseed mask people say is ‘like Botox’ (Picture: itsjennnnnaa/tiktok)
She’s left with a clear thick mixture, then she uses it as she would any other face mask. The idea is you wait for it to dry and tighten before washing off.
Jenna said: ‘It was so cooling and honestly my skin responded so well to this. My forehead was not budging, it was stiff.’
Other claims made about the mask online say it can help reduce dark spots and hyper pigmentation as well as leaving the skin hydrated and firm.
But is it really an at-home answer to Botox and does it actually have any benefits for our skin?
Clinical Lead at skin and self care platform Face the Future, Kimberley Medd, tells Metro.co.uk flaxseed does indeed have skin benefits.
She says: ‘Flaxseed can regulate the levels of oestrogen in your body – a fluctuation in these levels can send your oil-producing glands into overdrive and trigger flare-ups and spots. It does this while cleansing and exfoliating skin of dirt and build-up and unclogging pores.
‘It’s also rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids that lighten scars and pigmentation and reveal clearer, healthy-looking skin over time.
‘Flaxseed’s anti-inflammatory properties even enable it to soothe inflammation and redness quickly.’
Jenna pictured trying the flaxseed mask for the first time (Picture: itsjennnnnaa/tiktok)
But, is it actually comparable to Botox?
‘With regards to it “being Botox” Flaxseed can stimulate the production of collagen and promote the turnover of cells thanks to its composition of anti-ageing components and antioxidants,’ Kimberly adds.
‘This can make your face look firm, tight, and youthful and diminish the appearance of lines and wrinkles – however it’s not comparable to Botox which is more immediate, longer-lasting, and has more evidence-based results compared to flaxseed masks.’
Medical Director of Elan Laser Clinics, Dr Dean Rhobaye, agrees, telling Metro: ‘If a SkinTok hack sounds too good to be true then it probably is!
‘SkinTok trends are becoming increasingly popular, and although they sound fun and create great conversation, they are rarely any match for the real thing.
‘Anti-wrinkle treatments such as Botox have results that are backed by science and robust clinical data, whereas these natural “hacks” do not.
‘I’d encourage consumers to really do their research before trying any cosmetic gimmick or treatment that they come across on TikTok, as the results won’t necessarily match the hype.’
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Flaxseeds are rich in antioxidants.