What a 2/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 2 is still within the non-comedogenic range that dermatologists generally consider low-risk. That places Borage Oil in the range most people, including many with acne-prone skin, tolerate well.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Borage Oil, so we publish the range (2) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Borage Oil near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Borage Oil
It is a plant- or seed-derived oil, valued for the emollient, conditioning feel it gives a formula. The richest natural source of GLA, used for barrier repair; generally rated around 2.
On a label it can read as Borage Oil, Borago Officinalis Seed Oil — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Borage Oil in makeup and skincare
In makeup it turns up in cream blushes, tinted balms, and hydrating foundations; in skincare, in face oils and cleansing balms. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Borage Oil is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Borage Oil comedogenic FAQ
Is Borage Oil comedogenic?
Not usually. Borage Oil is rated 2/5, which is low risk on the 0–5 comedogenic scale, so it is unlikely to clog pores for most people, including many with acne-prone skin. Sources disagree on Borage Oil, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Borage Oil?
Borage Oil has a comedogenic rating of 2/5 (low risk). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 93 rate higher than Borage Oil, 58 rate lower, and 38 others share its 2/5. Among the 38 rated oils, 17 rate higher and 7 lower. The figure is drawn from 1 cited source, listed on this page.
Is Borage Oil pore-clogging?
It is unlikely to be. At 2/5, Borage Oil sits in the range generally treated as non-comedogenic. Concentration still matters: an ingredient near the top of a label makes up far more of the product than one near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.