Evening Primrose Oil: Uses and Benefits for Skin

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Reviewed by:  Kacie La

With the many known evening primrose oil benefits, it can easily give your favorite skin care and hair care products a run for their money! You will definitely love this natural oil over your store-bought essentials, or even combined with them!

How?

Well, read on to learn the many evening primrose oil skin care and hair care benefits, plus evening primrose oil uses with sample recipes you can follow!

Evening Primrose Oil

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is a carrier oil produced from the seeds of the evening primrose flower (Oenothera biennis) typically through cold processing. The plant is native to North and South America, now also grown in Mediterranean regions and Europe. The oil is clear golden yellow and has a mild nutty scent.

Known for its fatty acid content, evening primrose oil benefits range from helping skin and hair feel moisturised and refreshed and helping the skin appear more radiant-looking and even-toned, therefore making this oil a popular component in many skin care and hair care products.

Yes, evening primrose oil uses extend from standalone use to integration with other ingredients intended for skin, hair, and aromatherapy.

Fast Facts

• Skin absorption rate: 5 - Very slow absorption, feels thick on skin, and leaves an oily layer on the skin
• Viscosity/Consistency: thin, liquid-like consistency
• Comedogenic rating: 2 - less likely to clog pores; use with regulation on oily and acne-prone skin
• Best For: dry and acne-prone skin

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL BENEFITS

• Evening primrose oil benefits include helping skin to feel moisturised and supple, while also leaving a softer-looking complexion.
• Evening primrose oil provides a refreshing sensation to the skin.
• Evening primrose oil skin care benefits also include helping the skin look more radiant.
• It helps soften and smooth the look of skin, promoting a complexion that looks more even-toned.
• It helps the undereye area appear more refreshed and revitalised.
• When used for hair, it helps the strands feel softer and smoother and provides a refreshing sensation to the scalp.
• Evening primrose oil benefits also include its refreshing aroma, described as light and pleasant, making it a popular choice in aromatherapy blends.

One of evening primrose oil advantages is its gentle nature, so it’s applicable even for oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL USES

Now that you know the different evening primrose oil skin care and hair care benefits, you may want to learn how to use and apply this amazing ingredient.

Whatever your skin type is, you can enjoy evening primrose oil benefits as this oil is generally well-tolerated by most people. It can be applied on its own, combined with other oils, or mixed with your favorite products.

Let’s take advantage of those evening primrose oil benefits with these evening primrose oil uses you can follow:

1. As a standalone product for target application: Dab 2-3 drops on problem areas to help the skin feel softer and smoother.
2. In a simple moisturiser blend: Mix with shea butter and apply this to the skin every night for added skin moisture and a refreshing skin experience while reaping the evening primrose oil benefits of softer and smoother-looking skin.
3. In a moisturiser blend: Combine 5 ml of EPO with the following ingredients for dry and sensitive skin:
   1. 25 ml apricot kernel oil
   2. 2 drops of Roman Chamomile Essential Oil
   3. 4 drops Rose Absolute
   4. 5 drops Lavender Essential Oil
   5. 4 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil

   Use your fingertips to massage this formulation on your face and neck, then leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. Blot any excess oil with a tissue. Do this 3 times per week every night.

4. As a natural facial oil to help skin appear more radiant and smooth-looking: Mix 12 ml Evening Primrose Carrier Oil with:
   1. 20 ml Avocado Carrier Oil
   2. 16 ml Rice Bran Carrier Oil
   3. 2 ml natural Vitamin E Oil
   4. 4 drops Neroli Essential Oil
   5. 4 drops Frankincense Oil

   Apply regularly on face to reap the evening primrose oil benefits and other skin-loving results from other ingredients.
   Even our clients can attest to this, with one saying, ‘I use this Evening Primrose oil in a facial oil I make & have found it to be perfect for my mature skin. I'm very happy with the quality of this product & the great service from N-essentials.’

5. In a night serum formulation: Create your own EPO-induced nightly serum by mixing 15 ml of evening primrose oil with:
   1. 30 ml Avocado Carrier Oil
   2. 15 ml Pomegranate Seed Carrier Oil
   3. 10 drops of any essential oil that helps skin look more radiant, such as Clary Sage or Frankincense.

   Apply 2-3 drops of this formulation every night to freshly cleansed face and neck and pat dry with clean cloth.

   
6. In a feet balm formulation: Because of its moisturising benefit, evening primrose oil uses also include its integration in balm formulations, which can be applied to soften dry feet. Mix 5 ml of Evening Primrose Oil with:
   1. 5 ml Neem Carrier Oil
   2. 5 ml Avocado Carrier Oil
   3. 50 ml Aloe Vera Gel
   4. 10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
   5. 7 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
   6. 5 drops Benzoin Resinoid
   7. 5 drops Myrrh Essential Oil
   8. 3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

   Apply to dry, exfoliated feet after bath to maximise evening primrose oil benefits.

7. As a standalone hair mask: Massage 15 ml of Evening Primrose Carrier Oil into the scalp and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing. Do this 1-2 times per week for hair that looks more lustrous and volumised.
8. For aromatherapy: Mix a few drops to your oil diffuser for a refreshing aroma in your home or space.

IMPORTANT: These evening primrose oil uses require caution for some. Consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns, existing medications, or medical conditions.