Borago Officinalis Seed Oil

Borago officinalis seed oil is a fatty oil expressed from the seeds of Borage (Borago officinalis), also known as Starflower (for its delicate, pink to sky-blue, star-shaped flowers).

The oil is rare among the plant oils due to its unusually high content of gamma-linolenic acid (a polyunsaturated fatty acid). It is used in skincare products as an occlusive moisturizing and emollient ingredient, protecting the skin from transdermal water loss and making the skin appear softer and smoother.

Borage is a big, hostile-looking plant because of the fact that the entire above-earth part is covered in thick, bristly hairs. The only exception is the flowers – they are delicate, star-shaped, pink when freshly open, and blue later on. The bristly leaves are sometimes eaten as greens and the entire plant has a fresh, cucumber-like taste. The flowers are often used as garnish.

Borage seed oil, along with the evening primrose oil, is one of the richest sources of gamma-linolenic acid. This polyunsaturated fatty acid has some interesting anti-inflammatory properties and soothing effects on irritated skin.

The oil is made up of 25% of gamma-linolenic acid, as well as other fatty acids such as linoleic acid (up to 38%), oleic acid (20%), and others. Aside from fatty acids, Borage oil also contains squalene (a moisturizing and emollient compound naturally found in skin sebum), phytosterols, and vitamin E. These are all beneficial for skin health, are emollient and have antioxidant properties.

This makes the borage oil one of the best oils to use in skincare, suitable for all skin types but particularly useful for dry, irritated, or inflamed skin.