Serums are a skincare staple. A serum is an oil blend that you can use as your moisturiser, your under-eye treatment, to soothe, heal and protect your skin. I love using a serum with my mineral powder foundation: you just mix a drop of serum with the powder and it becomes the best quality tinted moisturiser!
A good serum can make a huge difference – and it can take the place of so many other products in your routine. And this season really is all about using less products!
Finding a good serum though, comes down to knowing the oils.
A new oil recently came into my radar that I want to tell you about.
I came to hear about it from my friend Wendee, who runs her family skincare line, Biconi. Biconi are known for working with incredibly innovative ingredients like noni fruit enzymes.
Recently, they added borage oil to their new Glow Facial Serum, which is getting amazing reviews!
You might have heard of Evening Primrose Oil before – it’s known for treating acne and inflammation. Borage oil works very much in the same way, except that it’s much more potent! It’s just a little less known is all…
Borage oil is great for oily and acne-prone skin, for healing inflammation from pimples, even eczema and rosacea.
I learn so much from skincare makers like Wendee – so I thought I’d share some of what I’ve learned about this oil with you. That way, when you see borage oil in a serum – you’ll know if it’s right for you! Let’s get started:
What is Borage Oil?
The oil comes from the borage herb – it’s a hairy plant that makes the most beautiful star-shaped blue flowers! I want to try growing it!
The entire plant has been used medicinally for different ailments – the flowers, the leaves and also the seeds, which are pressed for their oil. So, borage oil is a seed oil.
Quick Facts about Borage
- Borage flowers taste like honey and borage leaves taste like cucumbers.
- Borage was called the herb of gladness. Romans made a borage wine infusion to take the edge off stress and lift the spirits. In England it was used to treat depression.
- Borage is mostly used today for its anti-inflammatory properties, internally and externally it calms inflammation in the body from arthritis to eczema.
- Borage seed oil has the highest known amount of gamma linolenic acid (GLA) of all seed oils, at 20-23% concentration, even higher than the more well known evening primrose oil. GLA has been shown to reduce inflammation.
Skin Care Benefits of Borage Oil
- Reduces inflammation in the skin: This is what borage oil is most known for! Because it’s so high in linoleic acid, borage is incredibly good at healing inflammation from acne, pimples, eczema and rosacea.
- Skin protection: Borage oil soaks into your skin and acts like your own natural oils, sealing in hydration. It forms a very lightweight, but protective barrier, that protects your skin from damage, from irritations and flare-ups
Borage Oil is a good choice for:
- Sensitive Skin: If you are susceptible to redness, inflammation or even rosacea – borage oil helps to keep your skin soothed and calm. It also protects against flare ups of eczema.
- Acne Prone Skin: This oils is amazing for oily prone skin and especially acne prone skin. It’s lightweight, and non-greasy, but what’s amazing is that it’s so high in GLA’s that it actually rebalance the skin and helps to eliminate acne. Many people with acne have a had success using oils high in GLA!
- Mature/Dry Skin: The protective qualities of borage oil helps to seal in hydration and keep your skin supple. It helps to soothe and heal dry skin, but for dry skin you might want to blend borage oil (to protect your skin) with another more rich oil, like avocado oil for added moisture.
Final note
When you think of inflammation, think of borage oil. It’s a soothing and protective oil that’s going to help heal cracked dry skin, it’s going to soothe sensitive skin and even acne.
Also, take a closer look at Biconi’s Glow Facial Serum. It’s getting amazing reviews, and I’m not surprised at all!
Photo credit: Borage flower
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