My two-ingredient face mask mimics the effects of Botox and tightens saggy skin – you can make it in just 15 minutes
WITH Botox costing up to £350 in the UK, it’s not a treatment everyone can afford to splurge on every three months.
Because of this, beauty buffs on TikTok have been experimenting with different DIY options to mimic the freezing injections effects.
And there’s one fibrous product that consistently comes on top.
You can create a “natural Botox” face mask by mixing and boiling flaxseeds and water, some beauty fans claim.
The two-ingredient masks have gained immense popularity on TikTok for its purported anti-ageing benefits, particularly its ability to temporarily mimic some effects of Botox.
Some people even hail it as the most important step in their skincare routine as it firms up the skins surface while delivering deep hydration.
Beauty content creator Jonathan Monroe has shared his take on the viral trend, and has showcased how he makes the two-ingredient mask from his kitchen.
The 33-year-old adds 500ml of water to four tablespoons of flaxseeds and then boils it for 10 to 15 minutes to create a thick, jelly-like mask.
“Flaxseeds contain healthy fats and vitamin E, so it is a healthy skincare product that you can easily make at home,” he said.
“I add the gel to a syringe which makes the application so much easier… and kind of like Botox.
“Then I just rub that in and let it sit for about five minutes before washing it away.
“I’m always left with tight, bright and healthy looking skin.”
It’s important not to expect frozen facial muscles from this DIY mask, though.
“This is not the same as Botox but it can create a temporary tightening effect, brighten your skin and help with inflammation,” Jonathan prefaced.
But what’s the actual science behind it?
Flaxseeds are rich in polysaccharides, which can form a gel-like substance when mixed with water.
Biggest beauty mistakes
Fabulous' Beauty Editor Tara Ledden has shared the do's and don'ts when it comes to beauty.
“No matter how much time and money you spend on your beauty routine, if you’re not getting the basics right, the rest is wasted.
“There aren’t many non-negotiables, but these are the biggest beauty mistakes sabotaging your regime.”
- Not wearing SPF: Sun-damage is the main cause of premature skin ageing, so if you want to keep your skin looking plump and glowing, sun cream is vital.
- Using expired products: Best case, they’re ineffective and don’t deliver the results they promise, worst case they cause irritation and infection. The shelf life of beauty products differ – for example, mascara is usually good for 3-6 months while lipstick can last for 9-18 months. Check the ‘POA’ symbol on the packaging (it looks like a jar and will have a number inside for how many months it’s safe once opened. If you can’t remember when you opened your product, throw it away and start again, marking the month and year with a permanent marker on the packaging.
- Not knowing your undertones: If you’re using make-up with the wrong undertones, it’ll never look natural no matter how much you blend it! An easy trick to work out whether you have cool, warm or neutral undertones is to check the veins on your wrist – if they look blue, you have cool undertones, if they’re green, you have warm and if they’re a mix you have neutral.
- Skipping heat protector: It might feel unnecessary, but much like sun damage on the skin, excess heat is the most common cause of hair damage. So, if you want shiny, healthy hair, or you’re trying to grow it longer, using a heat protection product is key.
- Not washing your face before bed: it’s as simple as this, if you’re not washing your face before you go to sleep, everything that’s been on your skin during the day is sitting there for even longer, clogging your pores and drying out the surface. Any skincare applied on top isn’t going to be effective with a layer of dirt underneath, and you’re probably going to end up with dirty pillows too – yuck!
The gel provides hydration to the skin, making it appear plumper and reducing the appearance of fine lines.
It can also create a tightening effect on the skin, temporarily smoothing out fine lines and wrinkles.
And as Jonathan mentioned, flaxseeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
These have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce redness and puffiness, giving the skin a more youthful appearance.