BEST FOR MATURE & DRY SKIN

antioxidant

mucilaginous

nutrient-rich

emollient

USER BENEFITS

• softens

soothes

penetrates deeply

reduces redness

diminishes swelling

• promotes cell regeneration

conditions skin

nourishes

protects

moisturizes deeply

prevents chapping, cracks and stretch marks

heals

improves skin texture

helps repair sun damage

protecting

soothing

nourishing

moisturizing

Especially good for: dry skin, sensitive skin, mature skin, chapped and sun damaged skin, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, premature aging due to sun damage

sun-damaged skin

emollient

base oil

active

Borage seed oil is naturally one of the greatest sources of GLA, or "gamma-linolenic acid". This very important omega-6 essential fatty acid (a fat or oil that the body cannot make itself from other oils) has been the subject of an incredible amount of scientific investigation. It has proven to be a very therapeutic, healing oil for skin care when both ingested and topically applied. Consumption of the oil is known to reduce inflammation throughout the body (as are other oils high in omega-3 fatty acids.

As a carrier oil, Borage seed oil can be applied at 100% strength for inflammation relief, though is generally included at around 20% of a carrier oil base.

Borage seed oil is the fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Borago officinalis, a blue-flowered European annual herb. The soothing, cooling, mucilaginous substances in borage account for many of its medicinal effects. The herb is known to be rich in gamma linolenic acid, minerals and Omega-6 EFA all of which help to maintain healthy cardiovascular function, as well as healthy skin and nails. Borage is classified as an emollient and cleanser.

ABOUT THE PLANT

Borago officinalis is an annual herb in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been naturalized in many other locales. The leaves are edible and the plant is grown in gardens for that purpose in some parts of Europe.

ABOUT THE OIL

Borage oil is rich in fatty acids, in particular GLA. The GLA found in Borage oil is biologically important as it affects much of the enzyme activity in the body. Every process that takes place in the body is triggered by the action of various enzymes, including the production of prostaglandins. These hormone-like substances regulate many of our bodily functions.

It's deficiency has appeared as a number of inflammation-related conditions, which can be supported through its topical application as well as ingestion.

Effective at 10% in a carrier blend.

OF INTEREST

Another moniker of the borage plant is "Starflower".

gamma linoleic acid (GLA)

essential fatty acids

lecithin

potassium

sterols

pantothenic acid

amino acids

chloraphyll

vitamins A, B1, B2, D and E

CHEMISTRY

FATTY ACID

Palmitic

Palmitoleic

Stearic

Oleic

Linoleic

Linolenic

Battaglia, S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy

Keville, K. & Green, M. Aromatherapy A Complete Guide to the Healing Art