Evening Primrose Oil in Skin Care

Evening primrose oil, (Oenothera biennis), is a common ingredient in many skin care and supplement products.

It contains extremely high amounts of valuable fatty acids such as linoleic, linolenic, and gamma-linolenic fatty acids.

Many skin care products like moisturizers and cleansers contain this ingredient because linoleic acid is anti-inflammatory and soothing on skin.

Evening primrose oil is comedogenic, which means it can clog pores and should not be used on acne-prone skin or allergic sensitive skin subtypes.

What is evening primrose oil?

Evening primrose oil is a plant extract used in a variety of products like skin care products and fatty acid supplements.

EPO is considered the best source of gamma linolenic fatty acid out of all oils used in skin care.

EPO contains high concentrations of many useful fatty acids for products like moisturizers, cleansing creams, and various serums.

This oil is has shown significant positive impacts on patients with eczema.

Evening primrose oil is used in skincare because it has extremely high concentrations of anti-inflammatory compounds.

Linoleic and linolenic fatty acids are great in moisturizers and other products meant to soothe inflammation and hydrate skin.

EPO has one of the highest concentrations of linoleic acid of any oil used in skin care at 70%.

EPO fits into the ingredient category of “dry oils” because linoleic fatty acids are unsaturated fats.

It serves a similar function to sunflower oil products in skin care, but with a lower concentration of oleic acid than sunflower oil has.

Evening primrose oil products

Evening primrose oil has an extremely high concentration of beneficial and soothing unsaturated fatty acids for skin care, like linoleic, linolenic, and gamma-linoleic fatty acids,

It is used as an ingredient in many kinds of skin care products such as:

Evening primrose oil for skin lightening

Evening primrose oil is a tyrosinase inhibitor.

Tyrosinase inhibitors block tyrosinase receptors to stop them from producing melanin, or skin pigment.

Evening primrose oil is one of many skin lightening ingredients used in skin care.

It can be used alongside other tyrosinase inhibitors like hexylresorcinol, as well as PAR-2 blockers like niacinamide.

The best combination of skin care products for you depends on your custom skin care routine.

Shop for skin lighteners by your Baumann Skin Type to make sure you only use the right oils for your skin.

Take the Quiz

Retinoids

Using evening primrose oil with retinoids for wrinkles

Evening primrose oil will not fix wrinkles on skin on its own, but it can be used alongside a retinoid as part of an anti aging regimen.

Evening primrose oil is used alongside retinoids and other anti-aging ingredients in many products because of its soothing linoleic fatty acids which counteract the side effects of retinoids.

Retinoid routines vary greatly based on your skin type and personal skin issues. Be sure to take the Baumann Skin Type questionnaire to develop your custom skin care regimen!

Evening primrose oil in hair care products

Oils like with lots of unsaturated fatty acids like EPO are great for hydrating and repairing the proteins that make up our hair.

EPO is not particularly recommended as a hair care oil for acne-prone skin types because it can cause pimples along the hair line.

Hormones and evening primrose oil

Evening primrose oil products can affect your hormones when taken orally.

When used in topical skin care products, EPO does not have any effect on hormone balance.

It contains extremely high levels of beneficial fatty acids that have been shown to have many interesting positive effects on hormone balance.

For example, evening primrose oil supplements have been shown to improve reproductive hormone regulation in obese rats. (1)

Though more testing is required, it seems that EPO might one day be commonly recommended for regulating reproductive hormonal imbalances related to obesity in humans.

EPO affected levels of follicle stimulating, luteinizing, and testosterone hormones, reducing the complications from hormonal changes in polycystic ovary syndrome. (2)

In this same study, EPO reduced insulin and serum glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity – all of which are beneficial effects.

Metabolic processes having to do with the reproductive cycles were clearly improved as compared to the control group in this study.

Can you use evening primrose oil topically?

Yes, EPO oil can be used topically, and is found in many topical skin care products.

It is very anti-inflammatory because of its high linoleic acid concentration.

It also contains healthy omega-3 fatty acids, an important nutrient that is not naturally synthesized in the body.

Evening primrose oil is used in topical products to hydrate skin, repair the skin barrier, and soothe inflammation.

It is also an occlusive ingredient that helps hold water into the kin and protect the skin from allergens and irritants.

These are a few of our favorite topical EPO products:

Take the Quiz

Is Evening primrose oil safe?

Is evening primrose oil safe?

Evening primrose oil has an EWG score of “1,” the second best possible score after “verified.” This means that EPO is considered a very clean and safe oil.

That being said, one of the definitions of a clean oil is not having impacts on hormone production, regulation, or balance, which may not be true for EPO.

There are conflicting reports on the hormonal impacts of EPO, some studies have noted changes in pregnancy related hormones in obese rats when exposed to EPO through oral ingestion. (1)

When used in topical applications for skin care, EPO has shown no evidence of altering hormone production in any way.

It is worth asking an endocrinologist or your dermatologist if EPO is right for you if you are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or have hormonal imbalance.

Does evening primrose oil have any side effects?

EPO does not have any dangerous side effects when used in skin care products.

As with many oils in skin care, over application can lead to clogged pores or an undesirable film on the skin.

EPO is comedogenic, meaning it poses a risk of clogging pores in acne prone or sensitive skin subtypes.

Just like any plant-based ingredient, an allergy to EPO is possible, though unlikely.

Consult your custom skin care regimen to find out how often EPO products can be used on your skin.

Evening primrose oil for specific conditions

Evening Primrose oil for Specific Skin Conditions

Because of its myriad benefits in skin care, there are a number of skin conditions that can be treated with products containing evening primrose oil such as:

eczema

inflammation

psoriasis

rosacea

It is not recommended for all conditions or skin types because it is comedogenic, meaning it can clog pores.

EPO may not be right for your Baumann Skin Type so look for your skin type octagon on products when you shop for skin care containing evening primrose oil to see if the products is right for you.

Take the Quiz

Evening primrose oil for acne

EPO is a comedogenic ingredient, meaning it can easily clog the pores of some sensitive skin types.

When using EPO with acne or otherwise oily skin, make sure to closely follow your custom skin care regimen.

Using EPO outside of your recommended regimen may result in clogged pores or excessive moisture on the skin, which can lead to a change in the skin’s microbiome.

There are many different types of treatment routines for acne, which include non-comedogenic moisturizers.

How often should I use evening primrose oil?

Depending on your skin type, you might be able to use EPO multiple times per week, or even daily.

Since EPO is comedogenic, some sensitive skin subtypes might want to avoid using it regularly.

Consult your dermatologist or take the Baumann Skin Type Questionnaire to see if EPO is right for you!

Take the Quiz

Can you use products with evening primrose oil while pregnant?

It has been proposed by midwives for generations that use of EPO speeds up gestation, but no studies corroborate this belief. In fact, multiple studies found that this claim was untrue. (3,4)

It seems that EPO has no effect on pregnancy in general, particularly on the length of pregnancy.

EPO might be useful regulating hormones required for healthy normal gestation in obese populations

Some sources claim that EPO should be altogether avoided during pregnancy, so consult your OB/GYN if you have any concerns. (5)

There are other ingredients in the skin lightening category that are recommended for conditions like melasma during pregnancy.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected