I was in an organic grocery store the other day and found this really awesome (yet super expensive) product that I just had to buy. It’s sprouted ground flax (flax meal) with blueberries. This is a fantastic product for the skin. If you’re not taking flax seed oil or eating flax seeds, well you should be!
Essential Fatty Acids and the acne connection
Flax comes under the category of ‘essential fatty acids’, or EFAs. For everyone that has acne due to a hormonal imbalance (that’s probably about 90% of you), then increasing the amount of EFAs in your diet will help a lot.
Generally, we don’t have enough EFAs in our diet. This is bad because EFAs can in fact help reduce the production of the sex hormone androgen’s …which is the very same hormone that causes excess sebum production in the skin and gives us acne.
Among many other great things, increasing the amount of EFAs in our diet can:
- Strengthen the immune system
- Prevent inflammatory disorders (including acne)
- Improve the skin
- Help skin erruptions heal faster
- Decrease the sebum production in the skin
- Reduce the sebaceous glands size
- Help hydrate the skin
- Reduce the symptoms of PMT
Eating sprouted flax is really good for both men and women, but especially for men and also women that aren’t taking the contraceptive pill to control their acne. Both flax and the contraceptive pills that are designed for acne do essentially the same thing – they reduce the androgen’s in the body and the sebum production in the skin, meaning less acne.
If you’re a girl and you’re wanting to come off the pill and you’re worried about a massive breakout, this may be something you could try (in addition to getting a little support from a naturopath).
Listen to those that have tried it
In the past I’ve taken a lot of fish oil (a source of EFA) in capsule form with both good and okay results. When I just had mild PMT acne, fish oil capsules did contribute to clearing it up by 100%. I didn’t have too much luck with the severe and cystic acne though, but perhaps flax was the missing ingredient.
Susan from ‘inCYST on the Best!‘ conducted a three week experiment on herself by taking a combination of fish and flax seed oils. The results were amazing. She not only ‘cured’ her PMT migraines, but completely cleared up her cystic acne as well. Now these are really amazing results. If you’ve got time, have a read of her article.
Honestly, EFAs seem like MIRACLE FOODS. Which is why I just had to buy this product. Flax oils are everywhere but I really don’t like the taste of it. I’ve tried so hard to sprinkle it on my salads or take it straight, but to me it taste really yuck. Capsules are okay, but I love the idea of this product because it seems to be in its natural form – sprouted, ground and fresh. I’ve eating it for the past few days on my cereal in the morning and it doesn’t taste bad and my skin just keeps getting better and better.
Why is sprouted seed better?
Sprouted seed is especially good for you. It’s much easier for the body to digest which means better nutrient absorption by your body. Sprouting also increases the seed’s vitamin content which means extra vitamins for you and your skin. In addition, I love how this product contains blueberries because we all know that blueberries contain a ton of antioxidants which again, is great for the skin. The blueberries aren’t whole though, they’re in a ground up powdered form.
Quick, where do I buy this product from??
You don’t need to buy this exact same product. Have a look in your own local health food stores and see what they have available. What you’re after is sprouted ground flax. If you can’t find sprouted flax, that’s okay, you can buy flax oil or flax capsules instead. Always check the fridge section of the health stores too, the best flax product come fresh and refrigerated.
Caution: If you’re pregnant or nursing please consult with your doctor or natural therapist before eating flax or taking flax supplements.
Fran
53 responses ↓
I have taken EFA in the past, and it dramatically cleared my skin. Also, I stopped having cramps during my cycle. The EFA supplement that I took was in liquid form. I have to say it didn’t taste pleasant, and maybe that is why I stopped taking it after my first bottle. They sell EFA in gel caps but it is hard to tell if the oil inside of it is rancid or not. Rancid oil in the body is not good at all.
Unfortunately, my acne is back which is why I ordered another bottle of Total EFA by Health From The Sun. I’ll keep it up this time.
I’m soooo gonna give this a try, feel that I’m doing everything to cure my acne, but they wont go away completly. I’ve read the artical, and it sound really good.
P.s I’m so loving you now Fran, you have given me new hope
I take around two tablespoons of Canola Oil each day, usually with my oatmeal or something. I don’t know if it helps, but it seems like it couldn’t hurt. Does Canola Oil have EFA’s in it too?
Hi Kyle, interestingly enough, canola oil is an EFA and a good source of Omega-3
Flax is actually great during pregnancy. In my nutrition class we learned that Omega-3’s were shown to reduce post-partum depression and improve the mental health of the babies of mothers who had Omega-3’s in their diet. I know someone who was recently pregnant and took Flax Seed. But Fish Oil pills on the other hand are of concern, because of mercury and other contaminants. But of course when you are pregnant you should always consult about any supplements.
I am a vegetarian so I am going to stick with flax seed.
However fish oils have the longer-chain Omega-3’s that are not found in vegetarian sources. But vegetarian sources can give similar benefits if you lower your overall intake of bad fats.
lol I learned a lot in my nutrition class -_-
Also most vegetable oils (“salad oils”) are good vegetarian sources of Omega-3s — olive oil, sunflower oil, etc. I am taking Evening Primrose oil, about a tbsp a day because it is said to be one of the richest sources of Omega-3s (comes from the seeds of evening primrose plants). I’ll let you know how that goes. I got that from mountainroseherbs.com
Evening Primrose seed oil also helps with PMS symptoms.
Also I was able to find organic whole-grain pasta at my local health food store (Trader Joe’s) and one variety had flax seed meal mixed in! It was not very expensive either – might want to look for whole grain products like that with flax seed since whole grains are great too.
Ok, last comment I swear. lol
Ana, I just bought some wholegrain flax bread yesterday! Looks like it’s everywhere lol
We’re all going to be so healthy.
Hello Fran! How Are You?
What exactly is this product? It is dried blueberries? Where can I buy this product? can I found in U.S.A? or it is only in Australia? My acne seem to clear up but I have two cyst acne left do you think this is a great product for cyst acne! Thank You!
Hey Andrew, I’m actually living in Canada at the moment so I bought it from a suburban health food store in Toronto. It’s ground up sprouted flax and blueberries, so it kind of looks like a thick powder.
See if you can find it in your local health food stores, otherwise just look for sprouted flax (or even just flax oil) because any similar products will be just as good
Hello everyone,
My name is Monika and it is my blog where Susan’s post, referenced in this article, is listed.
Just want to be sure you all know, flax and canola are great sources of omega-3’s, but they are not the same kind of omega-3 that is found in fish oil. You need to have some kind of “DHA” in your diet to get the effects that Susan described, and if at all possible, “EPA”. These two omega-3’s are NOT found in flax and canola.
DHA can be found in marine algae, and the best resource to learn what kind of foods contain this supplement is the website for the company that makes the supplement, http://www.martekbio.com, under their products link.
EPA, at least at this point, is ONLY available to you in your diet if you eat fish or take fish oil.
Hope that helps,
Monika Woolsey
I just went to Trader Joe’s today and they have this same product – roasted milled flax with blueberries – under the TJ’s brand in the granola aisle. Just had some with some fruit yogurt and it was great!
Hi Fran
Do you think that by taking Flax seed oil off the spoon will have the same benefit as the one that you are taking ? I have some fish oil in my pantry which I am just about to go and reintroduce back into my diet … only problem is though is that it tastes so yackty yack !!
hey Fran,
) and they managed to tell me that linseeds are the same as flax seeds.Is this true and if so are the effects the same?
I was just wondering if its ok to by the plain flax seeds and eat it by itself? And i went to a herbal store today (the service was terrible
Hi Chrissi, yeah I don’t like the taste of flax that’s why I was so excited about this product. I haven’t tried straight fish oil but you’re so brave taking it like that
Yep, flax oil is good. Sprouted flax may be a little better, but who knows, maybe not …and flax oil is definitely very good for you.
Kevin- flax seeds are definitely great for you. I used to put them on my cereal or porridge in the morning. And yeah, flaxseed and linseed are the same
Cool thanks … yeah I did feel a little squimish this morn after taking the oils but wa hey it is no where near as bad as Nutritional Yeast Flakes that I just can’t take in … and hopefully soon it’ll kick the last 5% of my kin problems along with the dry skin … fingers crossed xx
Chrissi, it’s always that last 5% that’s so difficult to get rid of! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you but I think you’ll have great results, and it should really help the dry skin a lot
How is the Sprouted Ground Flax taken? Spread over food, by the teaspoon? Very curious. Thanks.
Hi Gary, I have about a tablespoon with my cereal or porridge in the morning. Ana (who wrote a comment above) had hers with fruit yogurt.
Hi Fran,
Do you notice any improvement in your skin/acne?
Hi Gary, I have clear skin at the moment so it’s hard to say how well i works on acne. But since I’ve been using it my acne pigmentation scars have started clearing faster, and I’ve needed to use the BHA less, as though my skin is looking after itself more AND I haven’t had a new pimple after a week of using it …so I guess the answer is yes
Oh, and I’m pescitarian so I eat a lot of fish, so I think I’m getting my combo of fish oil along with it which probably helps a lot too.
I’ve tried so many things sometimes I feel like giving up.
Hi Gary, I know what you mean. I’ve thought that many times myself. Even today when I don’t have any active acne but I was at the shops and in a change room and the lighing showed up all my acne pigmentation scars. My skin looked so blotchy and horrible that I felt like you, just so fed up. As in, when is this going to end!!??
Sometimes however that’s just what we need to do, give up. Stop focusing on our skin so much and start focusing on the overall health of our body. So eating well, exercising and relaxing, and keeping our minds off our skin and onto wellbeing and positive thoughts. I used to try this but it was damn hard when I was writing this blog at the same time on a daily basis.
Hi Fran,
Thanks for the words of encouragement. One positive is that I haven’t taken my antibiotic in nearly 8 weeks. Regardless of the condition of my skin, I am done with it. Supplementing my body with the right supplements is the key I think, like you mentioned.
My skin rules my life essentially. When it is bad, I feel bad, when it is good, I feel good.
How much fish oil do you take? Or, is there a section here, where you have the supplements that you take listed? I couldn’t find it.
Yeah I know what that’s like. A happy day is a skin clear day. But you know what, when your skin is clear you will have forgotten how it made you sad. And then your mind will come up with something else to squirm over on the down days! That’s what I find anyway.
I’m eating a ton of fish at the moment (it’s the only meat I eat) so I’m not currently taking a supplement. But when I did, I took 3 gel capsules each day.
Hey Fran! What brand do you recommend for supplements such as flax seeds? Are there brands that are better than others?
Hi Renee, this is the only brand I’ve tried. For more info you could try the Clear Skin Guidebook that I just reviewed, it goes into a lot more detail about supplements:
http://www.highonhealth.org/review-clear-skin-guidebook-complete-guide-to-healthy-acne-free-skin/
Hello everyone,
I’m back and I’m reading your comments about how distasteful fish oil is. I’ve learned to tolerate it myself, but for those of you who just can’t do it…thought you might be interested in a product called “Omega 3 Brain Booster”. It’s actually a fish oil powder that is heat stable and water soluble. You can cook with it, and you can put it into your own favorite foods without having to deal with the taste of fish. The website is http://www.omega3powder.com, and the owner will give you a 10% discount on your first purchase if you use the coupon code neuron.
Hope that helps!
Monika
Hey Fran, I’ve been told that gulping down a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can clear acne in 6 months. What do you think of that? How can drinking oil be good if fries are dipped in oil and they’re considered to be skin’s enemy.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is really great for you and you skin because it’s a good fat (although I’ve never heard of taking it as a supplement, because it’s so good go use in cooking). The fats they use in fries are bad fats, which are bad for your body. This is a significant different between the two types of fats used. The high temperatures that the oil is heated too also is not healthy.
I’ve got heaps more info about the different between good and bad fats in my acne guide:
http://highonhealth.org/eat-away-your-acne/
apparently i just found out that omega 3 is needed to “digest” omega6. the reason that flax is better for hormonal acne is coz omega 6 is the one that balances hormonal balance and flax contains (50% omega3 and abt 10-20% omega6) ….
i recommand taking both
more of omega6 . these totally helped, i’m not constipated anymore. wonder if it is because of the EFAs
Vicole,
It is the RATIO of omega-6 to omega-3 that is important. When you have too much omega-6 in your diet it prevents omega-3 from doing its job. So if you take omega-3 supplements and don’t take omega-6’s out of the diet, the supplement may not be as effective. Omega-6 is an essential fatty acid, but our modern diet has way too much of it in proportion to omega-3.
The easy way (at least if you speak English) to remember which oils to avoid, is that they all begin with the letters “s” and “c”–soy, safflower, sunflower, sesame, cottonseed, corn. The only exception to this is canola.
You do need to be careful, as food manufacturers, recognizing that people are trending toward wanting more olive and canola oils and less of the cheaper oils, use some great labeling deception. For example, Paul Newman’s Olive Oil Salad Dressing…lists soybean oil as its primary ingredient if you read the fine print.
Any time you see on a label, “may contain one or more of the following…” and olive or canola is listed, it’s not likely that you’re getting olive or canola. If manufacturers use different oils, based on what is cheapest at processing time, they are allowed to list all of the ones they might use. Even if olive or canola is only used once in a great while. It’s best to stay away from anything you’re not absolutely sure about when it comes to ingredients.
Hope that helps,
Monika
i was very curious about this post,
& i started looking for sprouted ground flax,
is this brand okay?
Nature`s Bounty (Natures Bounty) Vitamins – Organic Cold-Milled Flax Seeds Pack w/Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9 Fatty Acids
Hi Courtney, I think anything you pick up from a health store should be okay. I usually ask the staff for the best brands, I’ve found some great products this way.
I have been taking a supplement with fish oil, flax, and borage for a few weeks. I have really bad migraines and I havn’t had a full blown out migraine since I started a few weeks ago. I have only had bad headaches but they are much better than my migraines were.
Hi Fran,
My mother recommended that I take this product callled NOPALINA. It’s a flax seed product. She takes it for her cholesterol and she says she’s heard it’s also good for acne. I was wondering if you might know anything about this:
http://www.nopalinausa.com/
I tried it with orange juice and it tastes like plain oatmeal. I think I’ll give it a try.
Hey fran Me aggin
when you say fish oils are cod liver oil capsules good for the skin?
Thanks in advance
Peace.
Kyle- Yep, cold liver oil is just as good as fish oil. Or flax oil if you want to be kind to the fish
Thanks Frann
When i come of BP witch will be in about 3 weeks (coming off it slow so hopfully my the breakouts that you get wont be as bad) im going to get myself a gentel clenser and some of that bee yummy skinfood that i hear you talk about so much : ) do you sell it on this site? and dose it ship to england? i paln to eat no bread or drink any milk and avoid all of the foods that cause acne on the list!
thanks frann for the new hope you have given me iv tryed this a few months ago but gave up because i was getting breakouts (proberly from the clenser i was useing because it dryed my face out to beggin with than about an hour later my face had so much greese on it!) and just went straigt to BP! i hope this works ok for me : )
Thanks for answering all my questions i have asked you. i appreciate it
Peace!
Kyle- yep, Bee Yummy is sold here – http://www.highonhealth.oprg/shop/ and it ships to anywhere in the world
Sounds like a great plan you have there, you’ll definitely have a lot of success with it!
anotter question frann you said wheat is a bad food to cause acne but what about whole wheat? is there any diffrence? or is it the same?
Thanks
Peace!
Hi Kyle, most of your food questions I’ve already answered in my food guide – http://www.eatawayyouracne.com
Hey Fran
I am 16 and have very oily skin and mild acne (I think) which easily becames red and imflamed if I get hot. Also recently I have been getting sicker more than usual and was wondering if flax seed could help me? At the moment I am currently taking omega 3. Also how many capsules do you recommend taking daily? (sorry if this isn’t an appropriate place to write this)
Thanks heaps
Sorry I more thing, my acne doesn’t seem to be going away, I have been going to a dermatologist and he gave me antibiotics and lotions, etc but they don’t seem to be working. Also the acne I have right now came on when I have a virus (combo of cold and stomach bug)
So sorry I feel like I am really blabbering on
Hi Kristy, just trying taking flax and see if it helps. Follow the directions on the packet/bottle to see how much you should take
And follow the steps in my mini-course, they’ll help a lot.
Hi Fran,
I’ve started taking fish oil and evening primrose supplements. It’s only been a few days, so I haven’t noticed much of an improvement yet. However, I also started using Bee Yummy and Paula’s Choice almost 2 weeks ago now, and I seem to still be breaking out, in some spots more than before. I have a lot of whiteheads and on my cheeks I tend to get the red acne pimples. They never get too inflamed though, they tend to become red quick, but stay flat, and then the post acne mark just sticks around for a while. I’ve become very frustrated with my skin and almost feel totally hopeless that at age 28 my skin is doomed to be horrible forever. I’m sick of covering up my skin w/ makeup, I hate it! I’m about to see a naturopath this coming week, I’m praying that she can help me. I dont’ know what else to do anymore. I don’t wanna go to a dermatologist again, it only made my skin really red and flaky about 2 years ago. UGHHHH So frustrated,…I hope something gives soon
Hi Meg,
I absolutely know how you feel. When my acne was bad I felt like it consumed my whole life. I could not get it off my mind and it may me feel so depressed and anxious about my self image.
But PLEASE know that you WILL clear your skin, there is always a way
First, keep in mind that bee yummy + paula’s choice both have a purging period which can last up to a month so you’re most likely just going through that right now. If you’re using Paula’s choice every day, just switch to every second day for a while or even less if you feel that it’s too much. It’s a very powerful product!
After 5 weeks of using the skin products and the naturopath’s advice, your skin should be looking much better and on the way to recovery! If not, that’s okay, we can work on trying something else, like the vitamin B-5 supplements.
Let me know how your appointment goes.
Hey Fran,
Thanks for writing back so quickly
I ended up cancelling my appointment w/ the naturopath because I had some car trouble the day of the appointment. Then after stressing about the amount of money it was going to cost (not covered by insurance) I decided to cancel the appointment altogether.
I broke down this past week and went to the dermatologist. I figured that at least it’s covered by insurance, so it helps keep down the stress over money. I also have a new dermatologist since the last time I went over a year ago. She put me on similiar products that the last doctor put me on, but explained to me how to use them so they won’t dry my skin like crazy. I was put on solodyn (antibiotic), aczone and tazorac. Unfortunately I have so many clogged pores (whiteheads) that I think it may be the only way to combat them. I hope I can get through the bad side effects and hopefully see good results after. Who knows.
I asked her about Bee Yummy and she didn’t know anything about it and suggested I stop using it. I think I may continue using it though because it seems to be great. I’ve been using it for about 3 weeks now, and I haven’t noticed it breaking me out more than usual. She suggested using Cetaphil or Purpose. What’s your take on this? I also asked her about Purity made Simple and she didn’t know anything about that product either and suggeted I use Cetaphil. What should I do? IT’s so confusing! UGHHH I think it would be fine if I continued the Purity Made Simple and the Bee Yummy w/ the prescription products. But…maybe I should listen to the doctor?
I’m so confused LOL
Hi Meg,
Dermatologists can often be very narrow minded with their advice. They’ve given you an oral and topical antibiotic (aczone is a medicated topical anti-bacterial), and a strong exfoliant (tazorac). It is possible that you will still get redness and drying of the skin, so please write another message if this happens.
It may all work which is great, but if it doesn’t we’ll go for a softer approach. The blackheads and whiteheads you describe can be remedied with a salicylic acid product which is much gentler on the skin.
The Bee Yummy will help to provide healing nutrients to the skin so keep up with it. And the purity made simple is fine too. Using brands like cetaphil won’t make much of a difference ..cetaphil works in a similar way to purity made simple, it’s just not as good a quality.
I hope this helps, and good luck!
So I have been slowly starting the medicine mentioned above. About 3 days ago I used the Taz at night, and for 2 mornings now I’ve used the aczone in the morning. I have also been taking the solodyn antibiotic and have continued using Purity Made Simple and Bee Yummy. Plus I have still be taking the fish oil and evening primrose.
For the past two days I have noticed my skin flaking. I did not use any medication tonight, I simply put on Bee Yummy and will do the same tomorrow. I can see that the medicine is already exfoliating like crazy, which I know is good, it’s just tough to get through the flaking! It’s embarrassing and gross!
Also, I usually use the Bare Minerals powder, but it seems to be too dry while being on the medication. So today I bought a new foundation from Clinique. IT’s oil free, dermatologist tested, so it won’t break me out…I hope!
I will keep you posted on my progress Fran. Thanks for your wisdom and kind words
You rock!
Dear Fran, Just want to know if you are still taking flaxseed. I think my acne is hormonal related cause the only thing that worked for me was the contraceptive pill (Yasmin), now I spent the last year looking for a natural alternative and I find the flaxseed. It’s been three weeks and it’s working great but on the same time I started to take antibiotics to treat a massive breakout I got with Fish oil pills. This weekend I’m finishing the antibiotics and I am scared if all my improvement is due to them and not to flaxseed …
Do you think that I can stop antibiotics with no problem?
Thank you so much.
Hi Fran,
I’ve read that in your list of foods to avoid in order to clear acne you have included garlic.
I take a small garlic pill every day (excluding some random days) because garlic is quite beneficial to the body’s immune system, aiding in prevention of sickness
However is it truly bad for the skin?
Somehow my mind can’t make the connection of how that’s possible
Thoughts? Advice?
Thanks,
Jude
I use krill oil instead of flax. With flax, your body has to convert the ALA to EPA and DHA and it doesn’t usually do it effectively especially with acne sufferes. The krill (which i think is superior to fish oil and flax) is a direct source of the longer chain fatty acids.
http://www.omega3sealoil.com/Chapter4_3c.html
Have you checked out Dr. Mercola’s website? He promotes the krill oil. He is an MD in the U.S. but is passionate about teaching preventative heatlh.
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