Borage Oil
Borage Oil
Product Description
Product overview
A pure, single-ingredient facial oil featuring 100% organic, cold-pressed borage seed oil with the highest known concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) for intense hydration, barrier repair, and soothing dry, irritated, or inflamed skin conditions.
Highest GLA Content
Contains 17-28% gamma-linolenic acid, the richest known plant source of this essential fatty acid for skin barrier repair.
Texture & feel
SENSORYHighest GLA Content
Contains 17-28% gamma-linolenic acid, the richest known plant source of this essential fatty acid for skin barrier repair.
Cold-Pressed Extraction
Low-heat extraction preserves all beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants without degradation.
100% Organic & Pure
Single-ingredient formula with no fillers, preservatives, or additives. Just pure borage seed oil.
Intense Barrier Support
Rich in linoleic, oleic, stearic, and palmitic acids that strengthen the skin's protective barrier.
Safety & compatibility
SAFENot recommended. Borage products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids. Consult your healthcare provider before use.
Not safe. Contains fatty acids (oleic, linoleic) that can feed malassezia yeast and trigger fungal acne flares.
Rated 2/5 on comedogenic scale. Unlikely to clog pores for most skin types. Often called a "dry oil."
Contains no fragrances, dyes, or common allergens. GLA has natural anti-inflammatory properties.
As with any new product, perform a patch test on your inner forearm before applying to face.
May prolong bleeding time. Discontinue 2 weeks before surgery. Consult doctor if on blood thinners.
Ingredient breakdown
INGREDIENTSBorago Officinalis Seed Oil 100%Proven
Also known as starflower oil, borage seed oil is extracted from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant. It contains the highest concentration of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) found in any plant source, making it exceptionally effective for skin barrier repair and inflammation reduction.
- GLA Content: 17-28% gamma-linolenic acid (vs 8-10% in evening primrose oil)
- Linoleic Acid: ~36% - helps regulate sebum and improve barrier function
- Oleic Acid: ~18% - deeply moisturizing omega-9 fatty acid
- Research: Clinical studies show GLA reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and improves skin barrier function
- Anti-inflammatory: GLA converts to prostaglandins that reduce inflammation in eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea
1 ingredient
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Where it fits in your routine
ROUTINEApply after water-based treatments and before heavier creams. Can also be mixed into moisturizer or used alone as last step.
How to use
HOW TO USECleanse & Prep
Start with clean, slightly damp skin. Apply any water-based serums first (hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, etc.).
Dispense Oil
Apply 2-3 drops to your palm. A little goes a long way—start with less and add more if needed.
Warm & Press
Rub hands together briefly to warm the oil, then gently press and pat onto face. Avoid rubbing.
Follow Up
Wait 30-60 seconds for absorption. Follow with moisturizer to seal in the oil, or use alone for a dewy finish.
Who is it for?
WHOPerfect for you if:
- You have dry, dehydrated, or flaky skin
- You experience eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis
- You want to reduce redness and calm inflammation
- You have rosacea or reactive skin
- You need intensive barrier repair
- You prefer single-ingredient, pure formulas
- You're on a budget but want effective results
Consider alternatives if:
- You're pregnant or breastfeeding
- You have fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis)
- You're very sensitive to strong scents
- You prefer fast-absorbing, scentless oils
- You have extremely oily, acne-prone skin
- You take blood-thinning medications
Skin type compatibility
SKIN TYPESPerfect match. Intensely nourishing with high GLA content for deep hydration and barrier repair.
Anti-inflammatory GLA calms irritation. No fragrances or common allergens. Ideal for reactive skin.
Works well on dry areas. Apply sparingly to T-zone or skip oily areas. Best used at night.
Linoleic acid can help regulate sebum, but the medium weight may feel heavy. Use sparingly at night.
Low comedogenic rating (2/5) is promising, but NOT safe for fungal acne. Patch test first.
Results timeline
8-12 WEEKSInstant Hydration & Softness
Skin feels immediately softer and more supple. A dewy, nourished appearance is visible right after application.
95% noticedReduced Dryness & Flakiness
Dry patches begin to diminish. Skin texture improves. Less tightness and discomfort throughout the day.
80% noticedVisible Redness Reduction
Anti-inflammatory effects become apparent. Redness from eczema, rosacea, or irritation starts to calm down.
65% noticedImproved Barrier Function
Skin barrier is noticeably stronger. Less reactive to environmental stressors. Improved moisture retention.
70% noticedRatings by platform
1K+ REVIEWSPros & cons
BALANCEDPraised
- Exceptional value for money (~$5-10)
- Highest GLA content of any plant oil
- Excellent for eczema and rosacea
- Visibly reduces redness and irritation
- Deeply hydrating and nourishing
- Pure, single-ingredient formula
- Doesn't break out most users
- Great for overnight "slugging"
Criticized
- Strong, unpleasant natural smell
- Heavier texture, slower absorption
- Can pill over other products
- Not suitable for fungal acne
- 6-month shelf life after opening
- Scent described as "raw meat"
- May feel greasy on oily skin
- Being discontinued in some regions
Budget-friendly alternatives (dupes)
DUPES
Same ingredient (100% borage seed oil), cold-pressed, USDA certified organic. Nearly identical formula with comparable GLA content.
Lower GLA content (8-10% vs 20-26%), but gentler scent. Good alternative for those who can't tolerate borage smell.
No GLA but high in linoleic acid and vitamin A. Better for anti-aging. Lighter texture and more pleasant scent.
Contains 15-20% GLA with a milder scent. Good middle ground between borage and evening primrose. More expensive.
Comparison with competitors
SIDE-BY-SIDE
Votary Super Seed Facial Oil
Storage & shelf life
6 MONTHS6 months after opening. Mark the date you open it to track freshness.
Store in a cool, dark, dry place away from direct sunlight. Refrigeration can extend shelf life.
Amber glass bottle with dropper. The dark glass protects the oil from light degradation.
Yes, 30ml is under the 100ml TSA liquid limit. Secure dropper to prevent leaks.
Frequently asked questions
FAQNo, it is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Borage products may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which can be harmful. Even PA-free products are not confirmed safe during pregnancy. Consult your healthcare provider before use, or consider alternatives like pure squalane or jojoba oil.
No, this product is NOT fungal acne safe. Borage seed oil contains oleic and linoleic fatty acids that can feed the malassezia yeast responsible for fungal acne. If you have fungal acne, consider The Ordinary Squalane or other FA-safe alternatives instead.
Yes! Borage seed oil has no conflicts with actives. In fact, its anti-inflammatory properties can help soothe irritation from retinol or acids. Apply actives first, wait a few minutes, then apply the oil. The oil can help buffer strong actives and reduce irritation.
Borage seed oil is ideal for dry, dehydrated, sensitive, and irritated skin types. It's excellent for those with eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, or compromised skin barriers. Those with oily or acne-prone skin may find it too heavy, and those with fungal acne should avoid it entirely.
Immediate hydration and softness are noticeable right away. Dryness and flakiness typically improve within 1-2 weeks. Visible reduction in redness and inflammation usually takes 4-6 weeks. Full barrier repair benefits are typically seen at 8-12 weeks of consistent use.
Apply after water-based treatments (cleansers, toners, serums) and before heavier creams. The general order is: Cleanser → Toner → Water-based serums → Borage Oil → Moisturizer → Sunscreen (AM). You can also mix 1-2 drops into your moisturizer for easier application.
Borage seed oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5, meaning it's unlikely to clog pores for most people. It's often called a "dry oil" because it absorbs relatively well. However, everyone's skin is different—if you're prone to clogged pores, patch test first and introduce gradually.
The Period After Opening (PAO) is 6 months. Borage oil is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids which can oxidize over time. Store in a cool, dark place and consider refrigerating to extend freshness. If the oil develops an off smell (different from its natural earthy scent) or changes color, discard it.
Verdict: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Borage Seed Oil is an exceptional value for those with dry, irritated, or inflamed skin conditions. With the highest GLA content of any plant oil, it delivers proven anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair benefits at an unbeatable price. The main drawback is its strong, polarizing natural scent that many users find unpleasant. If you can tolerate the smell (or mask it with other products), this oil offers professional-grade results at drugstore prices. Not suitable for pregnant/nursing individuals or those with fungal acne. Best for: eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, and severely dry skin.
Browse related
Product Overview
What are Quick Product Notes?
Quick product notes are a great way to check if a product is free from commonly avoided ingredients by skincare enthusiasts. These preferences come about for different reasons depending on the ingredient such as personal experiences, sensitivities, health preferences & etc.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product is not free from a common preference does not mean it's a bad product! You can make a personal decision whether or not you want to use a product that contains these ingredients or not - click the labels of the preference to read more about them.
Quick Product Notes
Paraben-Free
Paraben-Free
Understanding Parabens
Parabens are a large group of preservatives which are used to prevent bacteria growing in cosmetic formulations. There has been some healthy controversy surrounding them due to a few studies finding paraben presence in breast tumours and breast tissue. However, the majority of the scientific community have deemed these findings non-conclusive due to the limitations of these studies. There's still a lot of support for avoiding parabens following the better safe than sorry route. If you do we completely support you! If you are concerned about the health safety of parabens, then feel free to avoid them by looking out for the Paraben-Free icon. If not, don't worry about it - they do have had one of the longest safety records as preservatives!
Which Ingredients are classified as Paraben?
A product will be paraben-free if it does not contain any of the following parabens:
- Sodium Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Ethylparaben
- Sodium Butylparaben
- Propylparaben
- Isopropylparaben
- Isobutylparaben
- Sodium Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
- Sodium Methylparaben
- Methylparaben
Sulfate-Free
Sulfate-Free
Understanding Sulfates
Sulfates are a large group of ingredients which act as cleansing agents in Cosmetics. They help loosen up the dirt and grime from your skin and hair to allow for water to wash it away with ease. However some sulfates are so good at their job, they can wash off your skin’s own natural oils that keep it moisturised and protected which can lead to dryness and irritation. Most people will find no issues with sulfate, however if you find your skin doesn't like sulfates then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the sulfate-free icon on Skincarisma.
Which ingredients are classified as sulfates?
We've taken the Sulfates which are considered more harsh for our Sulfate-Free status. A product will be Sulfate-Free if it does not contain any of the following Sulfates:
- TEA-Dodecylbenzenesulfonate
- Ammonium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- PEG-15 Cocamine
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate
- Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
- Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
- Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate
- Ammonium Xylenesulfonate
- Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate
- Sodium Xylenesulfonate
- Sodium Myreth Sulfate
- Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate
Alcohol-Free
Alcohol-Free
Understanding Simple Alcohols
Alcohol ingredients are widely used in cosmetics and come in different types. For the most part alcohols are not problematic at all. However one type of alcohols, simple alcohols can be quite drying to the skin because it evaporates very quickly. This can cause irritation which can also lead to other skin complications. These alcohols should never be used alone on your skin, but combined with other cosmetic ingredients, they are normally without issue. However, for some people with sensitive and easily irritable skin, avoiding products with these simple alcohols may be beneficial. If you find your skin doesn't like these simple alcohols, then free feel to avoid them by looking out for the Alcohol-Free icon.
Which Ingredients are classified as Alcohol?
A product will be alcohol-free if it does not contain any of the following alcohol ingredients:
- SD Alcohol
- Alcohol Denat
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Alcohol
Silicone-Free
Silicone-Free
Understanding Silicones
If you've ever used a skincare, makeup or beauty product that's made your skin look and feel smoother tempoarily - it's likely contained Silicone. They are a popular class of ingredients found in cosmetics due to their smooth, soft, easy-to-spread and smooth properties that help creates an artificial layer/barrier on top of skin or hair (commonly found in conditioners).
For the same reasons they are popularly used, they are also commonly avoided. Anecdotally, many individuals have reported that Silicones cause/excerbate breakouts, irritation, cause a feeling of skin being unable to breathe, cause clumping of cosmetic products and find it difficult to wash off. As a result, those who find them problematic are avoiding them and increasingly, cosmetic companies are avoiding them as well.
If you have had bad experiences with Silicones in the past, or suspect they are problematic then look out for the tick on the Silicone-free label.
Disclaimer
The Silicone-free label only includes the most common Silicone ingredients that have indentified been reported by individuals that could potentially cause issues.
These include: Amodimethicone, Behenoxy Dimethicone, Bis-Aminopropyl Dimethicone, Cetearyl Methicone, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Copolyol, Dimethiconol, Methicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Stearoxy Dimethicone, Stearyl Dimethicone, Trimethylsilylamodimethicone.
Note, that this does not include all ingredients part of the Silicone class of ingredients.
EU Allergen-Free
EU Allergen-Free
Understanding the Identified Contact Allergens
The EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has identified and established 26 cosmetic ingredients that are likely contact allergens (potential to cause skin allergies) as demonstrated in clinical or epidemiological studies. The EU's SCCS have recommend cosmetic companies to disclose them on the labels if used and in cases where the concentration exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products, then they must be labelled.
Look out for the tick on the EU-Allergen free label to know your cosmetic is free from any of the 26 identified cosmetic ingredients.
For more information regarding the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, please visit their official website.
Disclaimer
The EU Allergen Free label is for the 26 ingredients identified by the EU SCCS and products will be only flagged if a suspected ingredient is on it's ingredient list. It is possible for cosmetics to contain one of the suspect ingredients without it appearing on the ingredient list due to it not reaching the concentration threshold to disclose it and cosmetic manufacturers choice to not disclose it.
Also note, the EU Allergen Free label is not personalized for your own allergies you may have and it does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Fungal Acne (Molassezia) Safe
Understanding Fungal Acne (Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia Folliculitis)
Pityrosporum Folliculitis/Malassezia folliculitis or simply known as Fungal Acne is a persistent acne-like condition that commonly responds poorly to traditional acne-treating methods. Unlike most cases of Acne where bacteria is the culprit, Fungi is the culprit of Fungal Acne (Hence the name!). There are certain classes & groups of ingredients that have been shown to promote and feed the growth of the Fungal Acne, Fungi such as fatty acids, oils, esters, polysorbates and fermented ingredients.
For more information regarding Fungal Acne, please visit Simple Skincare Science (f.c) - #3 of our Recommend Skincare Resources for an amazing comprehensive guide!
Please Read: How to use the Fungal Acne (Malassezia) Label
At SkinCarisma, we've done our best to identify as many ingredients as possible but note the fungal-free label may not be 100% accurate due to the complexconditions and combination of ingredients that malezzeria can thrive on.
Additionally, products that may contain ingredients that have shown to feed Malassezia may not neccessarily exacerbate the condition due to concentration of ingredient used in the product, this information is simply not available on the products.
As a result, please note this is only an experimental label that can be best used to possible identify problematic products you have used in the past. It is in no way a perfect identifier nor a predictor in whether or not it will exacerbate or cause fungal acne. It will continue to be worked on as more information and research comes to light.
If you find any ingredients you believe should be included, please email us at snails@skincarisma.com.
Disclaimer
Due to the lack of substantial research into this area it is very likely there are other ingredients and class/groups of ingredients that could feed Fungal Acne which have not been indentified.
The Fungal-Safe label does not constitute as medical advice. For your specific case, always consult your medical professiona such as dermatologist, physician, pharmacist, or health care provider - please read our medical disclaimer for more information.
What are Notable Effects & Ingredients?
Ever used a product that promised a certain effect but provided no results? It might not have contained any notable ingredients that could have been responsible for that promised effect. It doesn't matter what the marketing or packaging «promises» it can do, if it doesn't contain anything that can help - then the likelihood of it helping is low.
We help you identify key notable ingredients that have been shown to help with effects such as acne-fighting, brightening, UV-protection, wound healing & anti-aging to help you achieve your skincare goals smarter. Please note that different notable ingredients have varying levels of research behind them, some are extremely well proven yet some have mixed research in their efficacy.
Pro Tip Alert!
Just because a product doesn't contain any notable ingredients doesn't mean it's bad. And a product with notable ingredients (or even many) doesn't necessarily guarantee the efficacy of the product performing these effects either. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine this.
Be smart and use this as just a starting point for you to make more informed and smarter choices and compare it with reviews to see if the product is right for you
Notable Effects & Ingredients
What are Ingredients Related to Skin Type?
Why are some products great for some people and horrible for others? Well everyone has different skin types and different reactions to the same ingredients.
We've identified a range of ingredients that are commonly regarded as potentially good or bad for those with Dry, Oily/Acne-Prone or Sensitive skin.
Pro Tip Alert!
A product that contains good or bad ingredients for your skin type doesn't always flat out make the entire product good or bad for your skin. There are other factors such as ingredient quality, concentration and formulation that will ultimately determine your skins reaction.
One of the best ways to use this section is to troubleshoot products you've had bad experiences with in the past. Check if it contains any of the marked ingredients to point out suspect ingredients to avoid in the future!
Ingredients Related to Skin Types
Dry Skin
Oily/Acne-Prone Skin
Sensitive Skin
What is the Ingredient Safety Breakdown?
Ingredient Safety Breakdown refers to the percentage % of ingredients in different risk categories as classified by EWG (Environment Working Group) if they are available. There are almost endless cosmetic ingredients and they are one of the few organisations globally that have assigned ratings to a lot of the more commonly used ingredients which is why we reference them.
Pro Tip Alert!
EWG is seen by many to be more on the alarmist side in their assignment of health ratings resulting in rating ingredients as riskier than they actually are. We recommend using this a reference point rather than a strict guide of ingredient safety and to always do further research if into ingredients that you may find suspect.
Ingredient Safety Breakdown
Product ingredient list
| EWG | CIR | Ingredient Name & Cosmetic Functions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning, Emollient
|
|