Harakeke flax for sensitive skin; What is it and how does it help?
Hero Skin Healers is a blog series that brings you some insider insight into New Zealand’s native plants, how they help sensitive skin, and products utilising their healing properties that are now available in Europe!
Kia ora katoa,
New Zealand is world renowned for it’s unique beauty and clean green image, but did you know it is also home to some of the most sought after plants and skincare for sensitive skin?
Harakeke Quick Facts
- Strong anti inflammatory, humectant and moisturising properties make it extremely effective in sensitive skin management.
- Reduces redness and irritation.
- Helps heal and hydrate cracked, dry and damaged skin.
- Supports regeneration of new, healthy skin cells.
- Supports production of collagen and elastin.
- Jam packed with fatty acids, antioxidants, phytosterols and linoleic acid.
Harakeke Flax
What is Harakeke?
This beautiful flax is native to NZ and can be found almost anywhere near their coastlines, rivers, lakes and in most people’s backyards.
It has been used by Māori people for hundreds of years not just for weaving, but for natural medicine and skincare too!
The Māori relied so much on Harakeke for daily living, they thought it was impossible to live without!
Traditionally the root, leaf and gum were used to treat both internal and external ailments.
External problems such as ringworm, boils, gangrene, and skin wounds, were treated topically, while internal ailments were usually treated with a juice made from the roots.
Today, Harakeke is still commonly used for for natural remedies, as well as in Western preparations of skincare, even though it may be less known to the world than Mānuka.
How does it work?
Harakeke flaxseed is jam packed with nutritious linoleic acid, which aids in the health of our skin’s natural barrier, and helps to seal in hydrating and moisturising properties.
It also contains high amounts of natural phytosterols that relieve and reduce redness and irritation, while stimulating healthy cell renewal.
This stunning flax is high in omega 6 and oleic acids, and helps to manage collagen and elastin production naturally, while anti oxidants that combat free radicals and environmental damage to the skin.
Harakeke and Skincare
Harakeke flaxseed oil is used in many natural NZ made products because of it’s natural healing and hydrating proporties for the skin.
It has natural preserving properties which can allow for the reduction or removal of alcohols and preservatives in skincare products with the right formulation and packaging.
Its cooling and soothing for red, irritated skin and works amazingly with mānuka honey and mānuka oil to help heal burns and regenerate healthy tissue fast.
I am constantly amazed at how fast my wounds and burns heal with combination or harakeke and mānuka!
On the page linked there are also mens’ products that reduce shaving rashes and irritations, as well as 100% alcohol, additive and fragrance free options for those with allergies to almost everything 😉
It is time to change how we think about our sensitive skin!!
If you are interested in trying products that use the powers of harakeke for yourself, here is the link again below!