This refers to the INCI name given to theborage seed oil. Rich in omega-6, this vegetable oil is recognised for its firming and regenerating virtues. It provides suppleness and elasticity to the skin.
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What is "Borago Officinalis Seed Oil" and what is its utility?
Summary
- Borage, a wild plant originating from Syria and widespread in Europe
- The characteristics of borage oil, also known as "Borago Officinalis Seed Oil"
- The properties of borage seed oil
- Our serums based on borage oil
- Our body cream formulated with borage oil
- Sources
Published January 27, 2022,
updated on February 5, 2024,
by
Maylis, Chemical Engineer
—
5 min read
Borage, a wild plant originating from Syria and widespread in Europe.
Theborageis a herbaceous plant from the Boraginaceae family, originating from the Near East, more specifically Syria. Its leaves and stems are hairy, covered with short and prickly hairs. Its pretty star-shaped blue flowers are easily recognisable. Today, borage thrives on wastelands and ruins in temperate climate regions, mainly in Europe.
The characteristics of borage oil, also known as "Borago Officinalis Seed Oil".
The flowering of borage takes place from May to August. During this period, the flowers are harvested and the seeds are extracted and cold-pressed to obtain the renowned borage vegetable oil. This presents itself as a viscous oily liquid of a pale yellow to green colour, almost odourless. Its texture is quite greasy and it is slightly comedogenic (comedogenicity index = 2). For this reason, it is primarily recommended for dry, mature, devitalised, sensitive and atopic-prone skin. It is not suitable for oily skin and/or skin with imperfections.
The properties of borage seed oil.
Due to its rich and varied biochemical composition, this oil provides numerous benefits to the skin and hair.
Moisturising and nourishing properties.
The skin has a natural protective barrier: the hydrolipidic film. This acts as a shield against external aggressions and slows down insensible water loss. Borage oil, rich in omega-6 (linoleic acid) and omega-9 (oleic acid), preserves the hydrolipidic film. The skin is then better hydrated, more supple and more radiant. It is a treatment particularly recommended for dry skin and dehydrated skin as well as brittle hair, split ends and damaged hair.
An ally against skin ageing.
The skin is daily assaulted by free radicals, these reactive oxygen species naturally produced by the body. This phenomenon is normal, but stress, pollution, sun exposure, smoking, and of course, an unbalanced diet, promote their excessive production. The skin loses its elasticity and suppleness. Wrinkles form on the surface. Borage oil contains anti-radical compounds like the vitamin E which stabilise and neutralise free radicals. It is thus antioxidant and helps to fight against premature skin ageing.
A restorative and soothing treatment.
The abundance of gamma-linolenic acid in borage oil gives it anti-inflammatory properties. It can therefore soothe certain conditions such as eczema.
Our serums based on borage oil.
Thinner and more delicate than facial skin, the neck and décolletage area has a particularly fragile skin barrier. Being more exposed to the sun's rays and external aggressions, it is often the first to show signs of skin sagging. The firming body serum based on retinol and borage oil is concentrated in tensing active ingredients. It helps this area to fight against premature ageing by stimulating the production of collagen to firm and smooth the skin of the neck and décolletage. It can also be used locally on other parts of the body.
Theborage oil is also present in thehydrating botanical blend. This night serum contains papyrus native cells. It regenerates the skin and can be used as a substitute for your regular night cream.
Our body cream formulated with borage oil.
Poor blood circulation and water retention are among the factors that can lead to the development of cellulite. In addition to borage oil, the toning body cream is enriched with caffeine and guarana extract ; it helps to firm the skin.
Sources:
AKWALE A. & al. Efficacy and tolerability of borage oil in adults and children with atopic eczema: Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group trial. British Medical Journal (2003).
LIN T. K. & al. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2017).
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