Ingredient · dataset v56
Borago Officinalis Seed Oil and fungal acne
May trigger · Moderate evidence
Why it's a potential trigger
Rich in linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids with oleic alongside, all C18 fats Malassezia yeast can take up.
Evidence strength
Moderate evidence (2/3)
Function
Oil
Plant oils: triglyceride oils and butters the yeast harvests after its enzymes split them.
Also listed as
Borage Seed Oil, Borage Oil, Starflower Oil, Borago Officinalis Oil
Products without this ingredient
- The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane 30ml
- Geek & Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel-Cream 50 ml
- Touch Acne Treatment Gel (Benzoyl Peroxide 2.5%)
- Tower 28 SOS Rescue + Relief Body Wash Treatment 8.4 oz
- Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
- Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Rinse-Off Treatment Spray
Related oil
- Acai Fruit Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Apricot Kernel Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Argan Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Avocado Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Babassu Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Baobab Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Black Currant Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
- Brazil Nut Seed Oil — May trigger · Moderate evidence
Sources
- Brunke & Hube 2006 — MfLIP1 extracellular lipase hydrolyses Tweens (Microbiology)
- Mayser et al. 1995 — ester hydrolysis depends on alcohol moiety (Acta Derm Venereol)
- EU CosIng database — search the INCI name
Last reviewed: 2026-10-13 (dataset v56).
Questions
Does Borago Officinalis Seed Oil trigger fungal acne?
We flag it as a potential trigger (moderate evidence). That means it belongs to a class the Malassezia yeast is known to feed on — not that every product with it will cause a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
Does Borago Officinalis Seed Oil feed Malassezia?
Yes: we flag Borago Officinalis Seed Oil as a potential trigger (moderate evidence). It belongs to a class Malassezia is known to feed on — not a claim that every product with it causes a flare. Concentration, formulation and individual skin chemistry matter.
How confident is this call?
Moderate evidence: Rich in linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids with oleic alongside, all C18 fats this yeast can take up.
Is this medical advice?
No. We screen ingredient lists; we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. When in doubt, ask a dermatologist.
Check a full list containing Borago Officinalis Seed Oil →
Not medical advice: we screen ingredient lists for potential triggers — we never diagnose, treat, or certify products. Dataset v56.