Ingredient Spotlight: Borage Seed Oil (Borago officinalis)

 

Borage Seed Oil (Borago officinalis) comes from the seeds of starflowers and is sometimes called starflower oil! Starflowers are traditionally used to promote (or even force) honesty, courage, and resolution.

Borage Seed Oil is a light, dry feeling oil that is considered an exotic or luxury oil! Though it would be lovely in almost any formula, a leave-on product would allow you to get the most bang for your buck. We use it in our matchless facial serum.

The top three fatty acids in Borage Seed Oil are Linoleic acid, GLA (Gamma Linolenic Acid), and Oleic Acid, but he high GLA content of this oil is what makes it special! GLA can reduce redness, soothe itchy, dry, inflamed skin, repair the skin’s protective barrier, and even help with acne. GLA can increase the skin’s flexibility and suppleness. 

Half of Borage Seed Oil’s phenolic makeup is Ferulic acid. Ferulic acid is a strong antioxidant that can help repair damaged skin, reduce age spots, and even prevent skin aging.

Linoleic acid is required by but not manufactured by your skin. It can reduce scaling, itchiness, and even acne. It is essential to your skin’s natural barrier function: this means both keeping the good stuff in (water) and the bad stuff out! Not having enough Linoleic acid can lead to poor wound healing, dry skin, and even hair loss. Your skin needs more Linoleic acid as you age or after spending time in extreme elements.

Oils high in oleic acid can provide skin regenerative (healing) and anti-inflammatory effects. Because oleic acid is also naturally created by your skin, it is easily skin softening and moisturizing. 

 

 

-Alchemist Hazel Thornbush