Borage Oil

Carrier Oil · Borago officinalis

Borage Oil

The GLA powerhouse

A fine golden oil pressed from the seeds of the starflower — nature's richest source of gamma-linolenic acid, a soothing omega-6 prized for calming and replenishing stressed skin. Hover any measure to see where borage sits on the scale.

Weight
Medium
Heavy
Medium
Light
How heavy the oil feels on skin. Lighter oils absorb fast and sit weightless; heavier oils cushion and linger.
Absorption
Moderate
Fast
Moderate
Slow
How quickly the oil sinks in. Fast feels dry-touch; slow stays on the surface for longer-lasting conditioning.
Finish
Natural
Rich
Slight Sheen
Natural
Matte
The look left on the skin — from a flat, matte finish to a rich, visible sheen.
Vitamin E
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Natural antioxidant (tocopherol) content. Higher levels help protect skin and keep the oil stable.
The Basics

What it is

Borage oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Borago officinalis, the blue-flowered starflower. It holds the highest natural concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) of any common seed oil.

That GLA content gives it a soothing, replenishing reputation for dry, reactive or mature skin — usually layered into a blend as an active rather than used as a plain base.

Quick Facts

Botanical nameBorago officinalis
OriginMediterranean
SourceSeeds
ExtractionCold-pressed
ColourPale gold
ComedogenicLow (2)
Also calledStarflower oil
Where it comes from

The Plant & The Seed

Borage starflower

The Starflower

A bristly Mediterranean herb crowned with vivid blue, star-shaped flowers that give it its common name.

Borage seeds

The Seeds

The small seeds are cold-pressed to yield a pale-gold oil exceptionally rich in GLA.

Composition

The Compound Profile

Borage is defined by its standout GLA fraction. The typical breakdown:

Linoleic Acid Omega-6 · polyunsaturated
38%
Gamma-Linolenic Acid Omega-6 · GLA
22%
Oleic Acid Omega-9 · monounsaturated
17%
Palmitic Acid saturated
10%
Beyond Fatty Acids

What makes borage special:

Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
The soothing omega-6 borage is famous for — the richest natural seed source.
Linoleic Acid
Barrier-supporting omega-6 that suits most skin types.
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Antioxidants that help protect skin and stabilise the oil.
Why People Love It

Key Benefits

Soothing GLA

Rich in gamma-linolenic acid, prized for calming dry, reactive skin.

Replenishing

Supports a comfortable, conditioned feel on stressed skin.

Targeted Active

A little added to a blend delivers a concentrated dose of omega-6.

In Our Formulations

How we use it

Borage is a targeted active — we add it where a blend wants its soothing GLA boost for dry or reactive skin.

Because it's precious and best fresh, we use it in considered amounts alongside more stable base oils.

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