Good Emollient

Borage Seed Oil

INCI: BORAGO OFFICINALIS SEED OIL

CAS Number
225234-12-8
Function
Plant-derived emollient oil with approximately 20-24% GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content plus high linoleic acid. Addresses delta-6-desaturase metabolic deficiency in atopic dermatitis at approximately double the GLA dose of evening primrose oil. Functions as emollient and skin-conditioning agent with anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair properties via omega-6 fatty acid metabolism.
Safety Rating
GOOD

Regulatory Status

🇪🇺 EU Status permitted
🇺🇸 US Status permitted
US Notes CIR Expert Panel assessed 244 plant-derived fatty acid oils as safe as used. Highest GLA content of common cosmetic oils (approximately 20-24%). Extreme PUFA content requires aggressive antioxidant protection. PA contamination risk from Borago officinalis; France strictest PA limit at ≤1 μg/kg.

For full compliance data across 55 jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.

Safety Data

Margin of Safety (MoS)
not established
Dermal Absorption
high
Sensitization
low

Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.

Expert Verdict

Richest GLA source (23-25% gamma-linolenic acid) among common cosmetic oils. Critical consideration: pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) contamination risk from Borago officinalis. France enforces strictest PA limit at ≤1 μg/kg. EU requires PA testing in safety assessment. Batch testing mandatory to ensure PA levels remain below regulatory thresholds. CIR reviewed borage-derived ingredients favorably. Anti-inflammatory properties from GLA support use in eczema and dermatitis formulations. COSMOS eligible if organically sourced.

⚠️
Concern Level: Moderate

Regulatory Flags

pa-contamination-critical france-pa-limit-1ug-kg gla-23-25-pct batch-pa-testing-required anti-inflammatory-gla no-annex-listing cosmos-eligible-organic epa_safer_alternative

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Borage Seed Oil safe in cosmetics?

Richest GLA source (23-25% gamma-linolenic acid) among common cosmetic oils. Critical consideration: pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) contamination risk from Borago officinalis. France enforces strictest PA limit at ≤1 μg/kg. EU requires PA testing in safety assessment. Batch testing mandatory to ensure PA levels remain below regulatory thresholds. CIR reviewed borage-derived ingredients favorably. Anti-inflammatory properties from GLA support use in eczema and dermatitis formulations. COSMOS eligible if organically sourced. The EU classifies Borage Seed Oil as "permitted". Safety rating: GOOD.

Is Borage Seed Oil allowed in the EU?

Borage Seed Oil EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.

What does Borage Seed Oil do in cosmetics?

Borage Seed Oil functions as: Plant-derived emollient oil with approximately 20-24% GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content plus high linoleic acid. Addresses delta-6-desaturase metabolic deficiency in atopic dermatitis at approximately double the GLA dose of evening primrose oil. Functions as emollient and skin-conditioning agent with anti-inflammatory and barrier-repair properties via omega-6 fatty acid metabolism.. It is classified as a Emollient in our database. CAS number: 225234-12-8.

What is the Margin of Safety for Borage Seed Oil?

not established The Margin of Safety (MoS) is calculated using SCCS methodology. A MoS above 100 is generally considered safe. Use the MoS Calculator tool to calculate MoS for your specific formulation and product category.

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