BORAGO OFFICINALIS SEED OIL

📋 Quick facts

Description: BORAGO OFFICINALIS SEED OIL — rich in GLA, barrier support, anti-inflammatory (Borage Oil).

All Functions: rich in GLA, barrier support, anti-inflammatory (Borage Oil)

Quick Facts:

• Category: emollient
• Comedogenic Rating: 1/5

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Borago officinalis seed oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid
• Research in rats suggests it may help reduce body weight gain and prevent fat tissue buildup
• It may support healthier cholesterol and insulin levels
• Safety testing shows pyrrolizidine alkaloid contaminants are not typically present in commercial seed oil

📊 Comedogenicity

1/5

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

Derived from this ingredient’s irritancy potential and comedogenicity rating against the needs of each skin type — e.g. oily and acne-prone skin are marked down for pore-clogging ingredients, sensitive skin for irritants. A starting heuristic, not a dermatological verdict.

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Borago officinalis seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has attracted attention from both pharmaceutical and health food industries (J Mass Spectrom, 2013). Here’s what the limited research tells us: #1: In animal studies, borage seed oil supplementation in diet-induced obese rats significantly reduced body weight gain and prevented accumulation of white adipose tissue (fat) without changing how much the animals ate, suggesting an effect on how the body processes fat rather than appetite (Food Funct, 2018). #2: The oil appears to work by increasing peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation—essentially a metabolic pathway that breaks down fats for energy (Food Funct, 2018).

#3: Borage seed oil supplementation also increased HDL-cholesterol (‘good’ cholesterol) and improved insulin resistance markers in the same rat model (Food Funct, 2018). #4: At the molecular level, the oil down-regulated Cebpa, a gene involved in fat cell formation (Food Funct, 2018). One important caveat: these benefits were demonstrated only in rats with diet-induced obesity, not in human studies. The mechanisms appear conserved between simpler organisms and mammals, but translating animal findings to human health remains uncertain (Food Funct, 2018). Regarding safety, the oil itself does not typically concentrate pyrrolizidine alkaloids, potentially toxic compounds found in borago plant material—testing can detect these contaminants at extremely low levels if present (J Mass Spectrom, 2013).

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• Vacillotto G et al. (2013). A rapid and highly specific method to evaluate the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in Borago officinalis seed oil. J Mass Spectrom.
• Navarro-Herrera D et al. (2018). Borago officinalis seed oil (BSO), a natural source of omega-6 fatty acids, attenuates fat accumulation by activating peroxisomal beta-oxidation both in C. elegans and in diet-induced obese rats. Food Funct.

🧴 Products Containing BORAGO OFFICINALIS SEED OIL

• Mustela Mustela Soin croûtes de lait
• Caudalie Soin corps nourrissant Thé des Vignes
• Provence Santé crème légère anti âge
• Dermalogica Travel Size PreCleanse
• Burt’s Bee advanced care hand cream
• fresh Travel Size Soy Face Cleanser
• Deluvia Miracle, aloe cream
• Dermasil Labs Cocoa Butter Moisturizing Body Lotion
• Phytoplex cream
• CREAM.LY NOURISH MY SKIN (Normal/Mixed/Oily)
• CREAM.LY EXFOLIATE MY SKIN
• Cosmia Sérum intense anti rides
• Cosmia Cosmia crème de jour anti rides au collageneer®
• Cosmia Soin contour des yeux anti rides au Collageneer
• Cosmia Crème hydratante sensitive
• Cosmia Cosmia – crème de nuit – 40 + anti rides au collageneer® – tous types de peaux – 50ml
• Cosmia Crème anti-âge jour et nuit 4 en 1
• Weleda Weleda Bébé Derma Crème protectrice visage Mauve blanche
• Floressance, Léa Nature Huile 100% naturelle Bourrache
• Caudalie Soin corps nourrissant anti-oxydant
• Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Facial Wash
• Evoluderm Shampooing précieux Huile Précieuse
• Omum La Surdouée
• Kazidomi Crème Visage Peau sèche & sensible Wake Me Up Kazidomi
• bareMinerals SMOOTHNESS Hydrating Cleansing Oil
• Soleil Noir Soin vitaminé
• Absolution La crème de jour
• Kuomayé Bio Crème visage anti-âge
• Murad Resurgence Renewing Cleansing Cream
• Weleda Weleda Bébé Derma Lait corporel à la Mauve blanche
• Charlotte Tilbury magic eye
• Leonor grey Régénerescence naturelle