Bo
Borage Oil
Borago Officinalis Seed OilBarrier
GLA-rich seed oil. Used in eczema-prone and barrier-compromised routines for its omega-6 profile.
What it does
Borage oil is one of the highest natural sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, ~20%), an omega-6 fatty acid that's metabolized into anti-inflammatory eicosanoids. Topical use shows modest improvement in barrier function in some studies. Often paired with evening primrose oil. Oxidizes quickly; needs proper storage.
The evidence, graded
strongThe skin's barrier is built from ceramides, cholesterol, and free fatty acids in a roughly 1:1:1 to 3:1:1 ratio. Moisturizers formulated to mimic that ratio support barrier repair more than any one lipid alone.Man 1996 · Journal of Investigative Dermatology ↗
expert consensusIf skin is reactive, peeling, stinging, or burning unexpectedly, pause all actives and rebuild the barrier with simple cleanser, ceramide-rich moisturizer, and SPF for 2-4 weeks before re-introducing actives one at a time.Lodén 2003 · American Journal of Clinical Dermatology ↗
Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
starflower oil
Pairs worth knowing
This page is public and indexed on purpose (unlike profiles and drops, which are unlisted) — it’s the citation behind shared ingredient cards, and it should be findable.
Want more like this?
Get Drop, free. Every flag cites its source, the app tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more products.