Flaxseed oil is also known as linseed oil, although the two oils are produced in different ways. Flaxseed oil is meant for human consumption and is cold pressed, whereas linseed is for commercial exploitation and involves a more complicated extraction process. This light oil penetrates rapidly into the top layers of the skin where it provides moisturising and soothing qualities. Flaxseed oil is high in Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. It is known as a ‘dry oil’ because of this rapid penetration into the skin and aside from cosmetics, flaxseed oil is also commonly used in paint, varnish and printing ink.