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Last Updated on April 14, 2025 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

skincare benefits of evening primrose oil

Using evening primrose oil to ease your PMS? Don’t bother. Science says it doesn’t work. Bummer, I know.

It’s easy to write it off after that. But in skincare, evening primrose oil actually shows up with receipts, especially if your skin’s feeling dry, tight, or a little pissed off.

Turns out, this oil is far from useless. It does wonders for your skin. Listen up (or read on… whatever…):

What Is Evening Primrose Oil?

Evening primrose (or oenothera biennia, to use its full scientific name) is a beautiful plant with yellow, phosphorescent blossoms that grows in dry and sunny meadows.

The oil derived from the plant is rich in omega-6 fatty acids, including linoleic acid (LA) and gamma linoleic acid (GLA). They’re super moisturising and have soothing properties to boot.

Here’s the thing most people don’t know: your body needs these fatty acids to function properly, but it can’t make them on its own. That’s why they’re called “essential.” You’ve got to get them from food or skincare – and if your skin’s feeling rough, red, or tight, there’s a good chance it’s crying out for some of that juicy GLA.

And fun fact? Evening primrose oil got trendy in the supplement aisle because of its supposed benefits for everything from PMS to arthritis to eczema, but in skincare, we’re using it topically, not swallowing it. (That’s a whole other convo.)

Struggling to put together a skincare routine that banishes dryness and makes your skin soft and supple? Download your FREE “Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin” cheat sheet to get started (it includes product recommendations + right application order):

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits: What Does It Do For Skin?

Like all natural oils, evening primrose oil is a multitasker. Here are its two main jobs:

1. It’s An Excellent Moisturiser

It’s the fatty acids in evening primrose oil that make it so moisturising. They strengthen the skin’s natural protective barrier, preventing water from evaporating into thin air. Trapped inside, water has no choice but to hydrate your skin and make it soft and smooth.

This protective barrier has another job. It keeps germs, bacteria, pollutants, and anything else that can harm the skin out. If you have sensitive skin, a stronger barrier helps to heal the redness and irritation faster.

This is a huge win if you’re someone whose skin gets angry at the drop of a hat. You know the type: a new serum gives you red patches, your cheeks flare up in winter, and even your trusty cleanser suddenly makes you itch. Strengthening that barrier is key -and evening primrose oil helps.

The catch?

It works only in water-in-oil emulsions, not amphiphilic emulsions (amphiphilic molecules love both water and fat).

P.S. There are studies showing that evening primrose oil can also soothe atopic dermatitis and irritation – when taken orally.

Related: How To Strengthen Your Skin’s Protective Barrier (And Why It Matters)

2. It Helps Prevent Wrinkles

Evening Primrose Oil has its fair share of antioxidants to help fight free radicals, the nasty buggers that give you wrinkles.

Quick recap: Free radicals are unstable little molecules created by things like pollution, sun exposure, and just being alive (sorry). They bounce around your skin, causing damage to collagen and elastin (aka the stuff that keeps your skin plump and firm). Over time, that damage = fine lines, dullness, and sagging.

Enter antioxidants. These are like the bouncers of your skincare routine. They neutralize free radicals before they can do any real harm.

But… (come on, you knew this was coming…)

We don’t know how powerful the antiaging properties of evening primrose oil are compared to those of other oils. I’m not saying don’t use it. I’m saying, for now, use it with other antioxidants. The more, the merrier, remember?

If you’re building a routine focused on aging gracefully (and keeping that glow), evening primrose oil can be a great supporting act. Use it alongside proven anti-aging faves like retinol, niacinamide, and peptides. And don’t forget SPF, obviously. (We are still fighting the sun, people.)

Related: The Most Common Antioxidants Used In Skincare Products

Can Evening Primrose Oil Help Acne?

Okay, let’s talk breakouts.

You’ve probably seen forums or TikToks saying evening primrose oil can help with hormonal acne. Here’s the deal: the GLA in the oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which can calm redness and swelling.

But (and it’s a big but) there’s not enough solid research proving that applying it topically will clear your skin. It might help soothe the angry red spots, especially if your skin is also dry and inflamed, but don’t expect it to replace your usual acne treatments.

TL;DR: it’s more of a helper than a hero in this department.

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Does Evening Primrose Oil Help With Eczema Or Rosacea?

It won’t cure either, but it can definitely help soothe flare-ups. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it great for calming down dry, angry skin. If you’re dealing with eczema or rosacea, look for it in barrier-repair products, not solo.

Can Evening Primrose Oil Lighten Dark Spots Or Hyperpigmentation?

It’s not a brightening oil. There’s no strong evidence it fades dark spots. But it can help prevent future hyperpigmentation by calming inflammation, which makes it a good supporting player, not the main act.

Is Evening Primrose Oil Safe For Everyone?

For the most part, yep. It’s gentle and works well for most skin types – especially dry, sensitive, or mature skin.

If your skin leans super oily, you might want to patch-test first or go for a product where evening primrose oil is just one ingredient in a lightweight formula.

And if you’re allergic to plants in the Onagraceae family (wild guess: you’d know), steer clear.

Can Evening Primrose Oil Clog Pores?

Nope. It’s considered non-comedogenic, so it shouldn’t clog pores – unless you’re slathering it on pure and your skin doesn’t like oils to begin with. If you’re acne-prone, look for it in a well-formulated product instead of using the straight oil.

How Do You Use Evening Primrose Oil In A Skincare Routine?

If you’re using the pure oil, it’s the ast step before SPF (in the AM) or the final seal over moisturiser (in the PM). You can apply a few drops directly or mix it into your moisturiser.

Can You Use It Around The Eyes?

You can, as long as it’s in a gentle formula. It’s not an eye-specific ingredient, but it’s not irritating either. Just don’t layer it with anything too strong (like retinoids) in that area.

Can I Mix Evening Primrose Oil With Other Oils Or Actives (Like Retinol Or Vitamin C)?

Yes, just be smart about it. It layers well with most oils, and because it’s soothing, it actually balances out harsher ingredients like retinol. Use the oil after your actives to help seal in moisture and reduce potential irritation.

How Long Does It Take To See Results?

Depends what you’re using it for. For moisture and soothing? A few days. For calming down irritated skin? Maybe a week or two. It’s subtle, but consistent use adds up over time. Don’t expect instant glow-up results.

How Does Evening Primrose Oil Compare To Rosehip Or Argan Oil?

Evening primrose oil is mainly about soothing and barrier repair. It’s rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which helps calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier – great if your skin is irritated, flaky, or just feeling compromised.

Rosehip oil leans more into regeneration. It’s packed with natural vitamin A and essential fatty acids, so it targets texture, dullness, and early signs of ageing. If you’re after brighter, smoother skin, that’s the one people usually reach for.

Argan oil is heavier and more emollient. It softens, protects, and adds that silky feeling, but it’s not going to actively repair or brighten. Think of it more as a nourishing top coat.

So it’s not about which oil is “best.” It’s about what your skin actually needs. If you’re dealing with sensitivity or inflammation, evening primrose oil is the most targeted option.

Related: All Your Questions About Rosehip Oil, Answered

What About Supplements? Should You Take It Instead?

Let’s circle back to where we started: PMS, hormonal acne, joint pain, etc.

There’s a ton of anecdotal evidence that taking evening primrose oil internally helps with hormonal stuff. But the actual science is… underwhelming. Some people swear by it. Others take it for months and feel nothing.

So if you’re thinking of taking it for PMS, acne, or hormonal balance, just know the results are super mixed and you should talk to a doctor first, especially if you’re on other meds or have health conditions. Topically, though? We’re way more confident in its benefits.

What Are The Best Products With Evening Primrose Oil?

  • Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream ($70.00): Ceramides, shea butter, natural oils, fatty acids… this rich cream has everything it takes to repair your skin’s protective barrier and makes even the driest of skin types soft and smooth again. Available at Boots, Drunk Elephant, Sephora, SpaceNK, and Ulta
  • Paula’s Choice Resist Moisture Renewal Oil Booster ($39.00): A godsend for dry skin, this booster contains any natural oil you can think of to deeply moisturise and strengthen the protective barrier. Available at Paula’s Choice
  • Paula’s Choice Skin Recovery Replenishing Moisturiser ($35.00): A rich moisturiser with dry skin loaded with moisturising ingredients, like evening primrose oil, and antioxidants. Available at Dermstore and Paula’s Choice

The Bottom Line

The few studies on evening primrose oil prove what we’ve known all along: it’s super moisturising and helps to keep wrinkles at bay, too. Is it a miracle worker? Nah. But if your skin’s feeling dry, sensitive, or a little fed up, this underrated oil could be just what you need to chill it out and bring back that glow.