reinforcement and soothing performance in leave-on and rinse-off skincare. Typical GLA ranges reported for borage seed oil are ~15–26% of total fatty acids (with linoleic acid and oleic acid composing much of the remainder). GLA is elongated to dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) in the epidermis, serving as a precursor to series-1 eicosanoids (e.g., PGE₁) that can modulate inflammatory cascades. In clinical and review literature, topical borage seed oil is linked to improved barrier metrics and symptomatic relief in dry/irritated skin states, with normalization of stratum corneum function observed in pediatric seborrheic dermatitis and atopic presentations. As a cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Borago Officinalis Seed Oil), it is regulated and used primarily as an emollient/skin-conditioning agent rather than as a drug.

For hair and scalp care, borage oil acts as a lightweight emollient that reduces fiber-fiber friction, smooths cuticle asperities, and enhances combability when formulated into conditioners, masks, and leave-ins. Emollient oils can improve the tactile properties of damaged fibers and support scalp comfort; in structured systems its role is sensorial and conditioning rather than cleansing. Because borage oil is highly polyunsaturated, formulators should pair it with antioxidants (e.g., mixed tocopherols), oxygen-barrier packaging, and appropriate peroxide-value controls to manage oxidation throughout shelf life.