Evening Primrose Oil: Say Goodbye to Hormonal Acne & Wrinkles

Human written by Dr. Heather Smith. Links are non-affiliate.

Evening primrose oil is a powerful natural remedy for acne and aging. It has been used for centuries to support skin health, and today, many people use it for hormonal balance, wrinkles, and inflammation.

This article continues our series about facial oil; the skin benefits of evening primrose oil are in the spotlight today. 

Why Is Evening Primrose Oil Good for Your Skin? The Science Explained

Evening primrose oil is extracted from the tiny seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant. The history of evening primrose use dates back centuries to medicinal applications by Indigenous North Americans. Evening primrose poultices were common remedies for bruises and wounds. In addition, stems and leaves were used to treat skin irritation and rashes.

The main reason evening primrose oil has benefits for skin is because it is so rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), a type of essential fatty acid.

Fatty Acid Composition of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is very high in linoleic acid (70%) and gamma-linolenic acid (10%). This breakdown is unique and is responsible for the skin benefits when used on the face. 

Linoleic acid is responsible for the anti-inflammatory and healing features of many carrier oils 

Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), contributes to the production of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins and eicosanoids, including 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid which help prevent the development of inflammatory diseases and skin problems.

Since the body converts GLA into prostaglandins and anti-inflammatory compounds, there is a potential medicinal role for supplements as they might improve symptoms of PMS and menopause, and it may improve heart health, cholesterol, and pain.

Evening Primrose Oil Skin Benefits: What It Does for Acne & Aging

If you're looking for ways to combat the signs of aging or acne, evening primrose oil may be the answer.

As we outlined above, the high levels of linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids will fight inflammation, prevent new damage, and may contribute to balancing the hormonal microenvironment via prostaglandins.

A deeply-moisturizing emollient oil, using evening primrose as a face oil will reduce transepidermal water loss. People with dry and mature skin will appreciate this benefit.

Although most people use it as a dietary supplement, it has been used topically to treat allergic skin, including eczema and other skin conditions. 

When using evening primrose oil as part of your facial oil routine, you would expect to experience:

• • Moisturization and emollience

  • Reduced visibility of fine lines and wrinkles

  • Skin barrier improvement and strengthening

  • Reduced redness from irritation and inflammation

  • Improved skin tone and gradual reduction in the appearance of scars and spots

  • Regulation of sebum production and improvement in the appearance of acne, with a special emphasis on hormonal acne

  • GLA supports healing, so evening primrose oil may help to improve skin firmness and elasticity in addition to smoothness and overall hydration levels

Does Evening Primrose Oil Clog Pores?

While some oils clog pores, evening primrose oil is not usually one of them.

It has a comedogenic rating of 1-2, making it suitable for most skin types. This is the middle of the comedogenicity scale, so if you have very oily skin, you will want to avoid using this oil full-strength. You can still experience the benefits using a lower concentration and mixing it with a carrier oil that's more suited to oily skin (ie. abyssinian or sunflower seed oil).

Evening Primrose Oil for Acne: Does It Really Work?

The association of GLA with hormones and prostaglandins makes it a particularly interesting oil to consider use with hormonal acne. There is also interest in whether evening primrose oil skin effects could be targeted towards post-menopausal skin menopausal skin changes. 

There isn't a lot of research about topical use, but we do know that GLA and linoleic acids are highly protective and anti-inflammatory. We also know the generalized benefits that face oils have for all skin, particularly acne-prone and mature. 

Is Evening Primrose Oil Safe?

Evening primrose oil is safe to use on your skin. There aren't any specific concerns about it and it shouldn't react with any other ingredients.

It's always best to properly patch-test all new skincare products.

The topical use of facial oils is not a concern in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Regarding nutritional supplementation, it's important to speak to your doctor. Nothing is entirely free of risk or side effects. For example, because of the association of evening primrose oil with prostaglandins and hormone-mediated conditions like PMS and menopause, do not take oral supplementation during pregnancy or if you have a history of hormone-sensitive cancer without first seeking qualified medical advice.

Humanitarian and Sustainability Considerations 

The production of evening primrose oil has been widely scaled because of its demand as a nutritional supplement and face oil.

There are no specific humanitarian or agricultural concerns unique to this plant. As always, choosing suppliers who use sustainable farming practices and support fair wages for their workers is critical.

References 

• Gehring W, Bopp R, Rippke F, Gloor M. Effect of topically applied evening primrose oil on epidermal barrier function in atopic dermatitis as a function of vehicle. Arzneimittelforschung. 1999 Jul;49(7):635-42.
• Bayles B, Usatine R. Evening primrose oil. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Dec 15;80(12):1405-8.
• Timoszuk M, Bielawska K, Skrzydlewska E. Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) Biological Activity Dependent on Chemical Composition. Antioxidants (Basel). 2018 Aug 14;7(8):108.
• Kleijnen J. Evening primrose oil. BMJ. 1994 Oct 1;309(6958):824-5.
• Kaźmierska A, Bolesławska I, Jagielski P, Polańska A, Dańczak-Pazdrowska A, Kosewski G, Adamski Z, Przysławski J. Effect of Evening Primrose Oil Supplementation on Biochemical Parameters and Nutrition of Patients Treated with Isotretinoin for Acne Vulgaris: A Randomized Double-Blind Trial. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 23;14(7):1342.
• Muggli R. Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2005 Aug;27(4):243-9.
• Chung BY, Park SY, Jung MJ, Kim HO, Park CW. Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Korean Patients With Mild Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Ann Dermatol. 2018 Aug;30(4):409-416.
• Kwon HS, Lee JH, Kim GM, Choi EH, Bae JM. Topical evening primrose oil as a possible therapeutic alternative in children with molluscum contagiosum. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2017 Dec;42(8):923-925.