This is the basic DIY flaxseed gel recipe you can find everywhere.
The good thing is that you can customize it and make your own version depending on your needs.
It also helps that is really affordable and natural so you know exactly what you are applying to your skin or hair.
In my case I make it to use on my skin but I guess more people like to use it on their hair.
After the recipe, you can find the many benefits and uses that it has along with a few recipes.
Please note that this post might contain affiliate links. It means that if you buy through my links I will receive a small compensation at no extra cost to you.
How To Make It
Ingredients:
- 2 or 3 tablespoons flaxseeds
- 1 cup water (distilled is better)
- broad-spectrum preservative (optional but recommended))
How to make it:
Place the flaxseeds covered with water in a pot and bring them to a boil.
Keep stirring until the mixture thickens. About 5 minutes will give you a thinner consistency and it will be easier to strain. If you want the consistency to be thicker boil it for longer (up to 10 minutes).
When it reaches the consistency you are looking for, remove it from the heat and strain. I started with a strainer, squeezing the gel with a spoon and then tapping the edge of the strainer with my hand.
I really wanted to squeeze all the gel out of the seeds, but I couldn’t do it with the strainer. Since I didn’t have a cheesecloth or pantyhose, I started to look around and found a laundry bag I use for delicate items. And it worked like a charm.
I was able to completely squeeze all the gel out of the seeds. If you are using a preservative, wait until it has cooled to add it, and mix it very well.
And here it is, ready-to-use flaxseed gel. Place it in a sterilized container and refrigerate it. If you are not using a preservative, it can last about a week if kept in the fridge.
How to Make DIY Flaxseed Gel Last Longer
- To keep the gel up to a week is better to make small batches using distilled water and keep it in the fridge.
- Make sure the containers you use are sterilized.
- Use a spatula to get the gel and never your fingers.
- Another alternative is to make ice cubes and thaw them when you need them.
- If you want to keep your flaxseed for longer than a week you will need to add a broad-spectrum preservative. Make sure you use the right percentage of preservative in relation to the quantity made.
You might like these articles: Easy DIY skin care recipes
Flaxseed Gel Uses & DIY Recipes
What can you use flaxseed gel for?
5 Uses for the hair
1 – As a hot oil treatment – Mix it with oils that have hair benefits. Argan, jojoba, coconut, macadamia, and olive oils are great oils for hair repair. Apply it over wet hair and cover your hair with foil paper and a shower cap.
2 – For a stronger and firmer hold add honey or agave nectar.
3 – To moisturize and define – Add aloe vera gel or glycerine to hydrate, define curls and waves, and get glossy hair.
4 – For stronger and healthier hair just apply flaxseed gel over the scalp and hair as a mask. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse.
5 – To hydrate the hair add 1/2 teaspoon panthenol or 3/4 to 1 teaspoon hydrolyzed protein. For more ideas check Science-y Hair Blog.
5 Uses for the skin
1 – For softer and clear skin apply the gel over your face and leave it for up to 30 minutes. Rinse and spray your face with rose water. Find out how to make rose water.
2 – To tighten loose skin – Mix 2 spoons of flaxseed gel with 2 drops of cypress essential oil and apply over the face and neck. It can also be applied in parts of the body where you have loose skin.
3 – To rejuvenate the skin add 5 drops of rosehip oil and 1 teaspoon of almond oil to 2 tablespoons of gel.
4 – Use it to exfoliate the skin – Mix the gel with 1 teaspoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of honey. Apply it and gently massage the skin. Rinse with warm water. To exfoliate your skin use these awesome homemade sugar scrubs.
5 – To lift the skin – Add 1 egg yolk to 1 spoon of flaxseed gel. Apply and leave for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water.
Natural DIY recipes you can make at home:
- how to make sugar wax without lemon (and one with lemon and another one with vinegar)
- sugar scrub cubes without soap (lavender and rose)
- natural face lift mask (3 DIY masks to lift your face naturally)
- how to make hair smell good naturally (Tips and DIY recipes)
- homemade face mask to shrink pores (DIY pore minimizer mask)
I hope you like these ideas to use flaxseed gel. If you have your own please leave a comment below if you want to share. Thanks!
Hi!!
For the above recepie which preservative and in what quantity should be used.
Hi,
You can use any broad-spectrum preservative. Optiphen and Germall Plus are good choices. To calculate the amount of preservative first you need to find out the weight of the cup of water. If you are using a US cup of water the weight is 237 grams. Now multiply the weight by the usage rate of the preservative you are using and divide it by 100. So it goes like this: 237gr (weight cup water) x 1% (preservative usage) = 237 x 100= 2.37. So, you should add 2.37 gr of preservative. There is an easier way to calculate the amount of preservative you need to add with this calculator.
CAN you store the gel for weeks or months?
Hi,
Without a preservative, I wouldn’t keep it for longer than 2 weeks in the refrigerator. With a broad spectrum preservative, it can last up to 6 months approx. (depending on the preservative you use).
To prolong the shelf-life of the flaxseed gel use distilled water, disinfect all the utensils you are using with rubbing alcohol, don’t put your fingers on it and, of course, keep it in the fridge. Another thing you can do is to place the gel into an ice cube tray and freeze it.
Thanks for stopping by!
can i leave flex seed gel over night
Hi,
I guess you could, but it may feel sticky. Try it and see if it works for you but make sure you are not allergic to flaxseeds.
Thanks for stopping by.