What Is Evening Primrose Oil and How Is It Used in Skincare?

May 04 2023 - 4 min read

With an unparalleled ability to clarify skin and reduce inflammation, beautiful, night-blooming Evening Primrose is a must have for any skin care regimen. With acne-fighting and anti-aging properties, let’s take a closer look at what Evening Primrose is, and how it can be used in your skincare regimen.

Uses of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose is a common yellow wildflower found in many parts of the world, closing its petals in the daytime and opening up its delicate yellow buds as the sun begins to set. Oil is pressed from the plant's deep rich red seeds, and has been used for centuries for a wide variety of medicinal uses, from balancing hormonal issues, to joint pain.

Sometimes sold or labeled under its latin name, Oenothera biennis, or as “fever plant”, “night willow herb”, or “Stella di sera”, Evening Primrose was originally used by Native Americans to help speed wound healing; the root can be heated to treat hemorrhoids, or as a salve for skin problems. Use of Evening Primrose quickly spread as a treatment for skin conditions caused by inflammation such as psoriasis and eczema.

What Is Evening Primrose Oil?

Bursting with Gamma-linoleic acid (or GLA), an essential omega-6 fatty acid that is crucial to the development of cell membranes and hormones, Evening Primrose Oil infuses skin with essential nutrients that nourish and repair skin from the inside out. The human body is unable to produce GLA on its own, even though it is a vital nutrient for maintaining healthy skin, and helps to reduce inflammation and promote skin hydration.

In addition to providing necessary GLA, Evening Primrose contains other skin loving fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and oleic acid. Its ability to balance hormones can help control hormonal acne, while its antioxidant properties help protect and replenish aging skin.

J Beauty products value ingredients that hydrate and help reduce inflammation, believing that well hydrated, healthy skin, will lead to radiant, clear skin. By helping to nourish and heal skin from the inside, Evening Primrose oil is a perfect ingredient in many J-Beauty products.

How Is Evening Primrose Oil Used in Skincare?

Evening primrose oil is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of skincare products, including moisturizers, serums, and facial oils. In Japanese skincare, Evening Primrose oil is commonly used in combination with other natural ingredients to create powerful skincare formulas, such as InMask Salon’s After Mask Cream Mist.

This post-mask mist replenishes and nourishes dull, dry skin for a hydrated, protected complexion. The After Mask Cream Mist protects the natural moisture on your face that's prone to escape while also defending the skin against pollutants and environmental stressors. An ideal face veil for any season, this multi-tasking mist is also great for refreshing makeup.

Can I Put Evening Primrose Oil on My Face?

Yes, Evening Primrose oil is safe to use on your face. Pure Evening Primrose Oil is highly concentrated, so those with sensitive skin may wish to dilute it with a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba oil, before applying to their face. Products that contain Evening Primrose Oil as an ingredient are diluted and therefore highly unlikely to cause any type of irritation.

Is Rosehip Oil the Same As Evening Primrose Oil?

While both are beautiful flowers that produce skin loving oils, Rosehip oil and Evening Primrose oil are not the same. Rosehip oil is rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that help to brighten skin and even out skin tone. Evening Primrose oil is higher in GLA, which helps to hydrate and soothe inflamed skin. Rosehip oil is a drier oil that absorbs rather quickly into skin, whereas Evening Primrose oil is slightly thicker and may take a bit long to fully absorb into the skin.

Other Uses of Evening Primrose Oil

Moisturizing: The GLA in Evening Primrose oil is a natural emollient that can help to soothe and moisturize dry, rough skin, making Evening Primrose Oil an excellent moisturizer. GLA helps to reduce transepidermal water loss, or TEWL, which happens overnight as we sleep. This helps the skin retain moisture, and appear healthy, plump, and glowing.
Anti inflammatory: Inflammation is often the root cause of common skin conditions such as acne, rosacea, or eczema. Evening Primrose works as a natural anti-inflammatory agent to help reduce redness and irritation, while calming and soothing skin.
Treatment for eczema or psoriasis: Those same anti-inflammatory benefits that help reduce redness can also help those with eczema or psoriasis, as the GLA in Evening Primrose oil helps to reduce redness and inflammation while providing long-lasting moisture.
Anti-aging: Evening primrose oil is also a powerful anti-aging ingredient, thanks again to the GLA in Evening Primrose oil. This helps to improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, evening primrose oil contains antioxidants that help to protect the skin from free radicals, which can cause premature aging.
Correcting dark spots: Aging skin may also see a rise in the appearance of dark spots on the face or neck. Evening Primrose oil inhibits the production of an enzyme called Tyrosinase, which causes the excess melanin behind those dark aging spots.
Acne: Acne can often be caused by hormonal shifts in the body, and Evening Primrose oil can help balance these hormones with its high GLA content that keeps the body’s inflammatory responses at bay.

Should You Put On Evening Primrose Oil Before or After Moisturizer?

If using pure Evening Primrose oil, it is recommended to apply before your moisturizer, allowing the moisturizer to lock in the hydrating benefits of the oil. Some people prefer to mix a few drops of Evening Primrose oil into their moisturizer to create a nourishing blend. Products such as serums or cleansers that contain Evening Primrose oil should be used in their normal place in your beauty routine.

However you choose to use it, Evening Primrose oil is an essential component of any beauty routine, especially when combined with other powerful skin soothing ingredients.