Ingredients Lab: Starflower Oil

Starflower oil is a botanical ingredient valued for its skin-conditioning and soothing properties. Derived from the seeds of Borago officinalis, it is rich in essential fatty acids that help support skin comfort, resilience and barrier function. 

Often referred to as borage oil or borage seed oil, starflower oil has a long history of use in skincare and haircare, particularly in formulas designed to support dry, sensitive or uncomfortable skin. 

What Is Starflower Oil? 

Starflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the Borago officinalis plant. While the terms starflower oil and borage oil are often used interchangeably, they both refer to oil derived from the same plant source. 

What sets starflower oil apart is its naturally high content of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that plays an important role in maintaining the skin’s barrier and supporting overall skin comfort. 

Starflower Oil Benefits 

Starflower oil is best known for its ability to condition and comfort the skin. By supporting the skin barrier, it helps improve how skin feels over time, particularly when dryness or sensitivity is present. 

Key benefits of starflower oil include: 

• Supporting skin barrier function 
• Helping ease feelings of dryness and discomfort 
• Improving skin softness and suppleness 
• Supporting scalp comfort and hydration

Starflower Oil, Borage Oil and Skin Barrier Support 

Essential fatty acids play an important role in maintaining the skin’s natural lipid balance. When this balance is disrupted, skin can lose moisture more easily and feel uncomfortable. 

Borage oil skin benefits are closely linked to this barrier-supporting role. By helping reinforce the skin’s natural protective layer, it supports moisture retention and contributes to skin that feels more comfortable and resilient. 

Starflower Oil and Menopause 

Hormonal changes, including those experienced during menopause, can affect the skin’s ability to retain moisture and maintain comfort. During this time, skin may feel drier, more reactive or less resilient. 

Starflower oil is often included in skincare and haircare formulated to support skin comfort during periods of hormonal change. Its conditioning properties make it well-suited to routines focused on long-term hydration and barrier support rather than quick fixes. 

Using Starflower Oil in Skincare and Haircare 

Starflower oil is typically used within a formulation, where it works alongside other conditioning and hydrating ingredients. This allows it to support moisture balance and comfort without feeling heavy on the skin or hair. 

In scalp care, it helps condition and soothe, particularly where dryness or tightness is present. In body and skin care, it contributes to a softer, smoother skin feel while supporting everyday comfort. 

Starflower Oil in AMELIORATE Products 

AMELIORATE includes starflower oil in selected formulas as part of its commitment to skin comfort, barrier support and effective hydration. 

• Soothing Conditioner uses starflower oil to help condition the hair while supporting scalp comfort. In independent consumer testing, 100% agreed the conditioner left their hair feeling conditioned, reflecting its ability to deliver care without heaviness.** 
• Transforming Body Wash includes starflower oil to help cleanse the skin while maintaining moisture balance. 
• Soothing Scalp Serum contains starflower oil to help nourish the scalp and support hydration. It has been clinically proven to improve the condition of the scalp after just 7 days*, reinforcing its role in routines designed to support dry or uncomfortable scalps. 

Across these products, starflower oil works in combination with other skin-conditioning ingredients to support comfort and resilience as part of daily care. 

*Tested on 32 people with a dry, flaky, red scalp used in conjunction with the AMELIORATE scalp care routine in an independent clinical trial. 

** Tested on 60 people with a dry, flaky, red scalp used in conjunction with the AMELIORATE scalp care routine in an independent consumer trial. 

The Takeaway 

Starflower oil is a well-established ingredient valued for its barrier-supporting and conditioning properties. Rich in essential fatty acids, it helps maintain hydration, improve comfort and support skin and scalp health over time. 

Rather than following trends, starflower oil remains relevant because it addresses fundamental skin needs in a calm, considered way.