Ingredient guide · S

Starflower Oil

Starflower oil, also known as borage oil, is a nutrient-rich plant oil prized in British skincare for its exceptionally high levels of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It helps nourish and soothe skin, making it a popular choice in creams, serums and facial oils for those seeking natural hydration and barrier support.

Starflower Oil — Starflower oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the starflower plant (Borago officinal… | UK Lips ingredient guide

How it works in skincare

In cosmetics and skincare, starflower oil functions as an emollient and skin-conditioning agent. Its high GLA content integrates into the skin’s lipid barrier, helping to reduce moisture loss while smoothing texture and improving softness. It is frequently blended into moisturisers, night oils and balms where it lends a silky, non-greasy feel and works well alongside other botanical lipids.

Key benefits

  • Helps maintain skin hydration
  • Softens and smooths rough or dry patches
  • Supports the skin’s natural barrier function
  • Imparts a silky, non-greasy finish
  • Calms the appearance of irritated skin
  • Suitable for use in anti-ageing formulations

Best for

dry skin, mature skin, sensitive skin, dehydrated skin

Where it comes from

Starflower oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of the starflower plant (Borago officinalis), a hardy annual herb with bright blue, star-shaped flowers native to the Mediterranean and widely cultivated in the UK.

Products with Starflower Oil

Not every product on UK Lips lists a full ingredient breakdown — so there may be many more formulas that contain Starflower Oil than we can show here. These are the comparisons where we’ve confirmed it in the listed ingredients.

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