Our Beauty Glossary is your definitive guide to every important beauty term ever. From A – Z, we regularly fill you in on beauty ingredients, personalities, products and treatments, so you know exactly who or what to look out for in the beauty space.
Ek-ee-um Seed Oil
Echium seed oil is a novel, non-fragrant plant oil derived from the seeds of the echium vulgare flower. The oil is a super-rich source of saturated fatty acids and phospholipids (lipids with ultra-moisturizing properties). It's a gift for dry, eczema-prone skin.
It's the most potent plant source of Gamma Linolenic Acid and Stearidonic Acid and powerful forms of Omegas 3 and 6 (the building blocks of powerful cell membranes and a great source of protection against oxidative damage). Because of these omegas, vegetarians take echium seed supplements to replace fish. Skincare benefits include:
• The acceleration of skin cell regeneration to smooth fine lines and wrinkles • Deep conditionining and skin repairment at a cellular level • Anti-inflammatory properties to keep sensitive skin types calm and clear • The ability to prevent damage to skin from UV rays
Echium seed oil helps repair the skin’s protective barrier, which improves hydration and reduces roughness. Also, it has been said to boost the production of collagen.
It was traditionally used by the Greeks to heal wounds and as an anti-inflammatory. The beauty benefits got lost in translation and the echium flower was dismissed as nothing more than a garden plant for years. It made a comeback when evidence into the benefits of omega fatty acids came to light.
Discover some of our favorite products containing echium seed oil:
Remember to check our blog regularly as we update our Beauty Glossary with the beauty terms you need to know about.