I’ve been asked this question quite a bit. Having young children, I’m very conscious about what I put in their hair. I’m also a big believer that less is more. Children have sensitive scalps and their hair follicles are developing. The last thing we want to do is put too much stress on their hair and scalp or slater unnecessary synthetic ingredients on their scalp and hair that will coat it and effect their health.

But we also want our children to look well groomed and cared for. Grooming can be a great way to develop social and emotional bonds with our child(ren). It’s a chance to pause with your child and focus on them and form a strong connection. I think it’s an important time that should be calm and happy so they make good associations with their personal grooming and hygiene. With that said, what can we moisturize our children’s hair??

Flax Seed Gel

If you’ve ever talked to me in person, I can’t sing the praises enough of flax seed gel. It’s a moisturizer and styler in one, 100% plant-based, cheap and very easy to make…what’s not to love! Here’s a pros and cons list to give the full facts so you can decide if the gel is right for you and your little one:

Pros

• Plant-based and natural

• Non toxic

• Water soluble

• Styler

• Moisturizer

• Cheap to make

• Can freeze seeds for additional use

• Light scent

Cons

• Can spoil

• Must be refrigerated and lasts for 2-3 weeks

• Weaker gel hold than synthetic gels

• The little scent it has a seedy/nutty smell

puff Apothecary’s FLAX SEED GEL Recipe

(No fuss, no pantyhose or cheesecloth!)

My recipe instructions are easy and if you have made this before, my recipe requires NO pantyhose or cheesecloth to try to strain. I find that step very unnecessary and can cause mess and even burning your hands! If you really want to get the most gel out of your seeds just simply [PUFF PRO TIP:] place already strained seeds into freezer safe bag and place in freezer. Once you get two bags you can combine and reboil again for another batch of flax seed gel.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1/4 cup Raw Flax seeds (the more seeds the thicker the gel)

• 1 cup Water (the more the water the thinner the gel)

• Small or medium sized pot

• Stove to boil

• Wooden spoon

• Strainer

• Fridge safe container with lid

Instructions

• Stir seeds and water into pot

• Put over high heat until boil, stir occasionally with spoon

• It will become frothy and if it starts to rise to fast to top turn down heat to medium

• If you see slightly runny, gel like liquid, it’s done

• Turn off stove, take pot and strain into container

• Allow to cool at room temperature and then store in fridge in between use

I typically eyeball the amount but to start you can use 1/4 cup of raw flax seeds to 1 cup water in a small or medium sized pot. Gently stir and then put over high heat until it boils. Stir occasionally so sees won’t stick to sides. When it reaches a boil begin stirring until frothy. If frothy begins to rise turn heat down to medium. As soon as you pull spoon out and see a viscous like gel left on spoon, it’s ready! You want the it to still look slightly loose and runny so it will strain easily. I like to let it cool to room temperature out of the fridge. You can even apply to hair if it’s warm to give your hair a decadent moisturizing treatment! Once fully cooled from fridge you will find that the consistency has congealed to a thicker gel and is ready to use. This batch is fair small so I can use it all up with in 2 weeks but if you make a large batch consider putting it in a squeeze bottle. The less your hands touch the consistency the better it will last. If your batch starts beyond the very light nutty/seedy smell, it’s time to throw it away. Sometimes it will begin to smell oddly sweet which means it’s on it’s way to spoil and when it has spoil you can tell because the smell is strong and unpleasant.

Will you try flax seed gel? Have you tried it before and what do you think?