Ingredient

Linum Usitatissimum Seed Extract (Linseed Extract)

Linum usitatissimum

When soaked in hot water, linseeds produce a gel-like substance called mucilage which is used in cosmetics to soothe, condition and protect the skin as well as hair.

The flax (Linum usitatissimum) is also known as linseed. It is a herb with a tall, leafy stem and pale blue flowers. Its tear-shaped, brown or yellowish seeds produce linseed oil when dried and pressed. It is cultivated in most temperate zones for both fibres and seeds.

What are the benefits of linseed extract?

• Rich in alpha-linolenic acid: a fatty acid that protects and soothes the skin.
• Silky soft hair: the gel-like consistency is great for conditioning and adding shine.
• Full of polysaccharides: known for their ability to help the skin retain water, leaving it hydrated and smooth.

How is linseed extract made?

There are two methods we might use to make this linseed extract - infusions and decoctions. Both extracts are made in house by hand at our factory in Dorset, UK*. To make an infusion we brew linseeds in hot water like tea, gathering them in a muslin cloth and soaking for a short while. For decoctions, we boil raw material in water until half of the water has evaporated to leave a more concentrated liquid. Both methods of extraction carry the benefits of linseed, but have slightly different consistencies. 

Where does Lush source linseeds?

Lush purchase golden and brown linseeds from a grower in West Sussex, UK*.

*With several manufacturing sites across the globe, this information may vary depending on where your Lush products were made.