You’ve heard that EPO performs miracles for the skin. Now you want to know which is the best evening primrose oil brand for skincare. You’re in the right place because we researched to help you find what you need.
Keep reading to learn about the benefits of using evening primrose oil. Then, check out the highlights of the best evening primrose oil brands and see the detailed reviews of each product.
What is evening primrose oil, a.k.a. EPO?
Oenothera biennis, or evening primrose, has been used for centuries in folk medicine and cosmetics. It’s a flowering plant that grows throughout North and South America and only blooms at night.
The oil extracted from it is rich in antioxidants, flavonoids, and fatty acids, especially linoleic acid. This latter component stimulates ceramide production in the skin to help it stay hydrated and healthy. Evening primrose doesn’t just soothe and moisturize, it also protects against environmental stressors that cause premature aging. Plus, it reduces inflammation (1).
Is evening primrose oil good for your face?
Thankfully, evening primrose oil is non-comedogenic and lightweight, so it doesn’t clog pores. Instead, it can help reduce acne, even out tone, and repair dry skin. It’s an emollient, which means it locks in moisture to keep the skin plump and soft.
Furthermore, because it’s naturally anti-inflammatory and moisturizing, EPO has the ability to smooth fine lines.
Scientific studies show that it improves conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis (2). Plus celebrities like Kate Bosworth use evening primrose oil to prevent acne breakouts.
Does evening primrose oil lighten skin?
If you have acne scars or discoloration from sun damage, evening primrose oil can fade the discoloration over time. Of course, it won’t work as quickly as products like hydroquinone, but it has fewer adverse effects, especially for people with naturally dark skin. That’s because it doesn’t bleach anything.
Use it daily for at least six weeks to two months to see a noticeable difference (3).
Who should not use evening primrose oil?
When applied to the skin, evening primrose oil is safe for most people. You can test it by rubbing in a single drop and waiting a day to see if there is any redness or irritation.
Unfortunately, some with sensitive skin might need to dilute it with another skin-friendly oil like jojoba. Blend the oils half-and-half. Repeat the patch test to be sure.
If you have acne, your skin might purge or experience a breakout after a few days of using evening primrose oil. This is a common side effect and should resolve within a few weeks.
If you’d like to take an evening primrose oil supplement for the skin, menstrual pain, arthritis, or menopause, check with your doctor to make sure it won’t interact with any medications or health conditions Pregnant or nursing women should avoid taking EPO.
Now, here are the best evening primrose oils:
| The best evening primrose oil brands | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| NOW Solutions, Evening Primrose Oil |
|
| PURA D'OR Organic Evening Primrose Oil |
|
| Maple Holistics Pure Evening Primrose Oil |
|
| Mayan’s Secret Evening Primrose Oil |
|
| Gya Labs Organic Evening Primrose Oil |
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| Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil |
|
| Desert Essence Restorative Face Oil |
|
Best Evening Primrose Oil Brands in 2024
NOW Solutions, Evening Primrose Oil
Pros:
- Affordable, pure, cold-pressed virgin evening primrose oil
- Produced in accordance with GMP practices
- Non-GMO Project Verified
Cons:
- Packaged in clear plastic with no dropper
PURA D’OR Organic Evening Primrose Oil
acne, cracked hands, and rough elbows. It can also tame frizz. For best results, apply a light layer to damp skin or hair.
Pros:
- ECOCERT certified organic
- Bottled in the USA with a pump top
- Comes with a money-back satisfaction guarantee
Cons:
- None
Maple Holistics Pure Evening Primrose Oil
dry skin and eczema or rosacea. If you have combination or oily skin, you may find that it exacerbates acne, at least temporarily. However, this anti-aging face oil is an excellent natural moisturizer with anti-inflammatory benefits.
Although this brand gets great reviews and has a lot of popular natural products, it doesn’t provide a lot of explicit information about the individual oils it sells. It sources ingredients worldwide but bottles the oil in New Jersey.
What’s interesting is that they have a bottle recycling program. For every 6 bottles returned, they send out a free bottle of shampoo or make a donation to an environmentally-friendly charity.
In this case, the EPO comes in a dark glass bottle with a dropper.
Pros:
- Bottled in dark glass with a dropper
- Produced in the USA
Cons:
- No specific information about purity or quality testing
Mayan’s Secret Evening Primrose Oil
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic
- Has a 10% concentration of GLA
- Bottled in amber glass with a dropper
- Produced in the USA
Cons:
- Relatively new brand on the market
Gya Labs Organic Evening Primrose Oil
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic and eco-certified
- Bottled in dark glass with a dropper
Cons:
- No information was provided about sourcing, testing, or bottling
Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate Face Oil
Kiehl’s doesn’t offer pure evening primrose oil. Instead, it makes skincare products that blend EPO with other botanicals and essential oils. The Midnight Recovery series of products has cleanser, serum, and moisturizer based on evening primrose oil, squalane, and lavender.
The oil blend makes the most of the time when your skin regenerates while you sleep. Put it on after washing and wake up with a brighter complexion and supple skin. It absorbs fairly quickly and has a pleasant fragrance from the natural ingredients.
Why choose Kiehl’s instead of using straight EPO or mixing your own blend? It’s because you’ll get multiple benefits from the synthesis of evening primrose with other moisturizers and anti-aging ingredients. Also, the company has been in business since 1851 creating skincare products using science and the best Nature has to offer—they know their stuff.
Happily, the facial oil is also free of parabens, mineral oil, silicone, and alcohol.
Pros:
- From a reputable brand that’s been in business for over two centuries
- Free from parabens, mineral oil, and silicone
- Evening primrose oil with botanical and essential oils
- Designed to rejuvenate skin overnight
Cons:
- Not straight evening primrose oil, but has a more pleasant scent
Desert Essence Restorative Face Oil
jojoba and evening primrose. It’s certified organic, with no artificial fragrance or synthetic ingredients.
It includes other skin-friendly oils like marula, argan, and geranium. As you might imagine, it has a delightful floral aroma, but it’s not overwhelming and doesn’t linger for long.
The perfectly balanced mixture is surprisingly lightweight but very protective against environmental stress and dryness. It has the ability to leave the skin radiant and refreshed, especially if you apply it before bedtime.
Reviewers say it doesn’t leave the skin oily once it absorbs. It’s possible to wear it underneath makeup. Just don’t use more than a couple of drops for the face and neck.
It’s packaged in a dark glass bottle with a dropper.
Pros:
- Blend of anti-aging and moisturizing oils like evening primrose, argan, marula, and jojoba
- Pleasant floral fragrance from natural ingredients
- Certified organic with no synthetic ingredients
- Packaged in amber glass with a dropper
Cons:
- It’s not only evening primrose oil, but a blend of plant oils
Conclusion
When it comes to facial oils, evening primrose is one of our favorites. It’s lightweight and non-acnegenic, anti-inflammatory, and rich in antioxidants and fatty acids. It nourishes dry patches back to health, fades hyperpigmentation, and plumps the skin.
We hope our reviews helped you select the best evening primrose oil brand for your needs today. We’re pleased to put our trust in us. Feel free to ask questions or leave suggestions in the comments below.
Sources:
1. Chung, Bo Young et al. “Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Korean Patients With Mild Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study.” Annals of dermatology vol. 30,4 (2018): 409-416. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.409
2. Gehring, W et al. “Effect of topically applied evening primrose oil on epidermal barrier function in atopic dermatitis as a function of vehicle.” Arzneimittel-Forschung vol. 49,7 (1999): 635-42. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1300475
3. Koo, JH., Lee, I., Yun, SK. et al. Saponified Evening Primrose Oil Reduces Melanogenesis in B16 Melanoma Cells and Reduces UV-Induced Skin Pigmentation in Humans. Lipids 45, 401–407 (2010). doi:10.1007/s11745-010-3405-4