How Can Evening Primrose Oil Benefit Your Skin
Essential fatty acids are very essential for your skin. They provide so many benefits, this ingredient is often touted a miracle. Learn more here!
Do you want a skincare ingredient that can tackle multiple skin concerns? Maybe you have heard people touting evening primrose oil as a “miracle” skincare ingredient helping with all sorts of skin problems, from acne to wrinkles. While it’s true that this natural oil has many benefits for the skin, it’s important to know how to use it correctly to get the best results. In this blog post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about evening primrose oil and how to use it to achieve better-looking skin.
What Does it Help?
Evening primrose oil (EPO) has been used for centuries to treat many common health conditions. The seeds of this flower's native plant can be found growing in North America, and they contain a fatty acid called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA is converted into an Omega-6 that helps promote skin healing when applied topically or taken internally as a supplement therapy.
EPO can help multiple health concerns such as arthritis pain, breast pain, nerve pain, heart health, high blood pressure, and hot flashes, relieve PMS symptoms, as well as skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and overall skin health according to Healthline.
What is Evening Primrose Oil?
Evening primrose oil is derived from the seeds of the evening primrose plant. The oil is rich in fatty acids, including linoleic acid and gamma-linoleic acid (GLA). These fatty acids are important for maintaining the health of the skin barrier. Additionally, evening primrose oil contains high levels of vitamins E and C, which are both powerful antioxidants.
Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil for Skin
One of the main benefits of evening primrose oil is that it can help to reduce inflammation. This makes it an excellent choice for people who suffer from conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Additionally, evening primrose oil can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by boosting collagen production. The fatty acids in evening primrose oil are also beneficial for dry skin, and sensitive skin and can help to decrease the appearance of scars.
A 2005 study revealed use of oral evening primrose oil can help smooth skin's texture, increase collagen, increase elasticity and firmness, and is beneficial for overall health and skin barrier function. The recommended dosage in the study was 3 doses of a 500mg evening primrose supplement daily. It may take up to 12 weeks to see noticeable skin changes according to the study.
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This cold pressed formula is Non-GMO Verified and formulated Without Hexane, Gluten, Soy, Artificial Colorings, Stearates Or Titanium Dioxide. This 1300mg tablet is formulated for one a day use.
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How to Use Evening Primrose Oil
Evening primrose oil can be used in a variety of ways depending on your individual needs. We just discussed using as a supplement. If you have dry skin, you can add a few drops of organic evening primrose oil to your moisturizer or apply it directly to your face before bedtime. If you have acne-prone skin, you can add a few drops of evening primrose oil to your favorite spot treatment or face mask.
For best results, apply evening primrose oil to clean skin. You can also add a few drops of evening primrose oil to your bathtub for a luxurious, relaxing experience that can help to deeply moisturize your parched skin.
This USDA Certified organic formula is great to use as a stand alone for the skin or add a few drops to your daily moisturizer for increased results! This environmentally friendly company uses renewable energy sources with their solar powered facilities, and is vegan, and cruelty free.
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FAQ
What are the main benefits of using evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil is a natural source of the fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which is thought to play a role in many biological processes.
Evening primrose oil has several potential benefits, including:
- Acting as an anti-inflammatory agent
- Aiding in weight loss
- Helping to improve symptoms of eczema and psoriasis
- Reducing the symptoms of PMS and menopause
- Supporting heart health by helping to lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure levels
Is evening primrose oil good for acne?
Evening primrose oil is thought to be beneficial for acne due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, the fatty acids in evening primrose oil can help to decrease the appearance of scars.
How do I use evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil can be used in a number of ways, depending on your individual needs.
If you have dry skin, you can add a few drops of organic evening primrose oil to your moisturizer or apply it directly to your face before bedtime. If you have acne-prone skin, you can add a few drops of evening primrose oil to your favorite spot treatment or face mask.
For best results, apply evening primrose oil to clean the skin. You can also add a few drops of evening primrose oil to your bathtub for a luxurious, relaxing experience that can help to deeply moisturize your parched skin.
How long does it take for evening primrose oil to work?
The effects of evening primrose oil may not be immediate, and it may take up to 12 weeks to see noticeable changes in the skin according to one study. However, individual results may vary.
Does primrose oil lighten skin?
There is no definitive answer to this question as the effect of primrose oil on skin coloration may vary from person to person. Some people may experience a lightening of their skin tone after using primrose oil, while others may not see any noticeable changes.
That said, there are several mechanisms through which primrose oil may act to lighten skin. Primrose oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid that has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additionally, GLA has been shown to promote melanin production in vitro, suggesting that it may be effective in lightening skin pigmentation.
Does evening primrose help with hair growth?
There is not enough scientific evidence to support the claim that evening primrose oil helps with hair growth.
Evening primrose oil is a good source of fatty acids, including gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which are beneficial for maintaining healthy hair. However, there is no evidence to suggest that taking evening primrose oil supplements will promote hair growth.
Who should not use evening primrose oil?
Evening primrose oil should not be used by pregnant women because it has been shown to cause uterine contractions. It should also not be used by people with seizure disorders because it can increase the risk of seizures. Additionally, evening primrose oil should not be used by people who are allergic to plants in the family Asteraceae, which includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, and marigolds.
Final Verdict
If you want a natural way to improve your skin health, look no further than evening primrose oil! This versatile skincare ingredient has many benefits for all different types of skin concerns. Whether you have dry skin, acne-prone skin, eczema, or simply want to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, evening primrose oil can help! Just remember to always apply it to clean skin and be sure not to overdo it—it's highly concentrated and a little goes a long way!
References
Muggli R. (2005). Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults. DOI:10.1111/j.1467-2494.2005.00274.x
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Sarah Knowles
PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: As a staff of licensed aestheticians we review products based on their merit based on our professional expertise. This is not a replacement for your own skin therapist's advice for your skin or any medical claim or endorsement. We encourage you to seek medical care when appropriate. To support our website activities, we may receive monetary compensation or another form of recompense for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonials, and/or links to any products or services from this website as part of the Amazon Associate program or another Affiliate program. We Thank you in advance for your patronage.