The Role of Evening Primrose Oil in Skin Care: Benefits and Considerations

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.

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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:

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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.

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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!

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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 Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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