5 Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Skin
What is Evening Primrose Oil?
Evening primrose oil, or EPO, is a lightweight oil derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant (also known as Oenothera biennis). The plant, native to North and South America, has a long history of skincare use. For centuries, Native Americans have used evening primrose oil as a topical remedy for bruises, minor wounds, and skin irritations.
Today, evening primrose oil is a popular ingredient in both skincare products and supplements. Thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants and essential fatty acids, including linoleic acid, primrose oil is a powerful skin hydrator with anti-inflammatory properties that can help to hydrate, protect, and soothe the skin.
Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Skin
Packed with antioxidants and omega-6 essential fatty acids, primrose oil can benefit the skin in a number of ways. Here are all the benefits of primrose oil for skin.
Deeply Hydrates
Evening primrose oil is an excellent solution for dry skin. It works as an emollient, helping to soften and smooth the skin while covering skin with a protective film to seal in moisture. By reducing transepidermal water loss, primrose oil improves skin’s moisture and keeps it hydrated for longer.
Several studies have shown that evening primrose oil for skin is an effective treatment for eczema—a skin condition characterized by dry skin, itchiness, rashes, and small red bumps.
Eases Redness and Irritation
Primrose oil is packed full of linoleic acid, an anti-inflammatory that can help to reduce redness, ease irritation, and even help with some skin conditions like eczema. Its anti-inflammatory properties and moisturizing effects makes it the perfect ingredient for treating red, irritated skin.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, primrose oil can help restore moisture and balance in the skin. Plus, it strengthens the skin barrier to protect it against external irritants and future irritation.
Protects Against Aging Stressors
The skin moisture barrier’s job is to protect your skin from external aggressors, like UV rays and pollution. To be able to function properly, the barrier needs nourishment in the form of fatty acids—and primrose oil is chock full of them.
Linoleic acid is especially helpful in aiding the skin barrier and preserving the skin’s overall function. A lack of this essential fatty acid can result in visible skin concerns like fine lines and dryness. So using skincare products with primrose oil can help prevent premature signs of aging.
Improves Skin Tone
Evening primrose oil can also help even skin tone. The linolenic acid in primrose oil encourages skin turnover to reveal fresher, smoother skin while combating dark spots and discoloration. Some claim it can also brighten skin and help with acne scars.
May Help Acne
Studies show gamma-linolenic acid boasts anti-inflammatory properties, and evening primrose oil contains at least 8% of this fatty acid. Its anti-inflammatory action along with its cell turnover boosting abilities makes primrose oil a possible solution for acne.
Best Evening Primrose Oil Products
Looking for the best primrose oil skincare products? Here are all our faves that we know you’ll love.
Truly's Cooka Colada Luxury Shave Butter
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A super-softening, summery scented shave butter that'll transform your shave. Enriched with shea butter, primrose oil, and pineapple, this fluffy light butter softens coarse hair, prevents painful bumps, and secures your smoothest shave down there.
Truly’s Cooka Routine
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Dealing with dry skin, red bumps, or rashes? Soothe your skin with this ultra-cooling, moisture-drenching duo: Cooka Oil + Cooka Concentrate. These two formulas harness the healing and hydrating powers of evening primrose oil and jojoba oil to soften and soothe red, inflamed skin. With an antimicrobial boost of tea tree and lavender to clear bumps and rashes.
Side Effects of Primrose Oil for Skin
Is primrose oil safe for skin? Using primrose oil on skin is safe and unlikely to trigger any unpleasant side effects. It is a gentle, highly nourishing plant based oil that helps to hydrate and soothe the skin.
However, it may not always be the best choice for acne-prone skin. Since primrose oil is mildly comedogenic (meaning it may clog pores), those with oily or acne-prone skin should use it with caution to avoid any acne flare ups.
How to Use Evening Primrose Oil for Skin
You can either use primrose oil solo, as in pure primrose oil, or within a skincare product. If you’re using it solo, apply a small amount onto damp skin to maximize absorption. If you’re using it in a product or with other serums or creams, make it the final step in your skincare routine to lock in all the moisture from the other products.
We also recommend using it in your shaving routine to ward off dryness, irritation, and ingrown hairs. As an anti-inflammatory, evening primrose oil for skin prevents post-shave inflammation so you can enjoy a more comfortable shave.
Best of all, primrose oil works well with other plant-based oils like coconut, argan, and almond oil as well as active ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids.
Can You Use Primrose Oil on Your Face?
Using primrose oil on your face is safe, and can help with a number of skin concerns including dryness, itchiness, and irritation. Because primrose oil is highly concentrated, it’s best to use a skincare product that contains this oil rather than using it solo. Alternatively, dilute the pure evening primrose oil with a carrier oil like coconut, almond, or jojoba oil before applying it to your face.
Is Primrose Oil Good for the Skin?
If you have dry skin, sensitive skin, or uneven skin tone, using evening primrose oil for skin can help to hydrate, soothe, and brighten your skin. You can use it in your daily skincare routine, body care routine, or shaving routine. With its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, evening primrose oil is a nourishing natural oil that helps restore smooth, supple skin.
Feature photo by Karolina Grabowska, Pexels
