Ingredient of the Month: Borage

In this regular series, Tracey Ryan, the master formulator behind Bia, enlightens us with her expert knowledge of the plant kingdom and how botanicals can benefit our skin.    

Ingredient: 

Borage or Starflower 

  

Latin name:  

Borago officinalis 

  

Native to: 

The Mediterranean but grows throughout Europe. Borage has the ability to self-seed or disperse its own seeds, so it spreads easily from planted gardens to the wild. 

  

Key nutrients:  

Borage seeds are one of the richest sources of the essential fatty acid omega-6, or gamma linolenic acid. The seeds also contain nourishing palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid, making it a powerful plant superhero. 

  

Essential benefits: 

Gamma linolenic acid has a protective antioxidant effect in addition to imparting anti-inflammatory benefits and working to strengthen the skin barrier to seal in moisture—which is key for maintaining dewy, radiant skin. 

  

Little known details: 

Raw borage tastes just like cucumber and is grown in gardens as a garnish for desserts or drinks. Historically, herbalists believed that borage imparted a sense of wellbeing, and the Roman scholar Pliny the Elder considered it a mood-booster.  

  

Where to find it: 

Borage seed oil is the first ingredient in Bia Wash Off Cleansing Oil—a beautiful face wash that delivers a concentrated dose of this soothing and hydrating wonder!