Health Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is a supplement that has been used for hundreds of years. The oil comes from the seeds of evening primrose (Oenothera biennis).

Evening primrose is a plant native to North and South America that now also grows in Europe and parts of Asia. The plant blooms from June to September, producing large, yellow flowers that only open in the evening.1

The oil that comes from evening primrose’s seeds has omega-6 fatty acids. Evening primrose oil is used for a variety of reasons, including in the management of eczema and menopause. Evening primrose oil is also referred to as king’s cure-all and EPO.

Benefits of Evening Primrose Oil

Evening primrose oil is rich in health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and the omega-6 fatty acids gamma-linolenic acid (9%) and linoleic acid (70%).3

These two acids help many of the body’s tissues to function properly. They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which is why evening primrose oil supplements may be helpful in improving symptoms related to inflammatory conditions like eczema.3

May Relieve Eczema Symptoms

Taking evening primrose oil supplements may help relieve certain symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema.

One study in Korea of 50 people with mild atopic dermatitis found that people who took evening primrose oil capsules for four months had significant improvements in eczema symptom severity. Each capsule contained 450mg of the oil, with children 2 to 12 years taking four a day and everyone else taking eight a day. The participants also had slight improvements in skin hydration.4

It’s thought that the fatty acids found in evening primrose oil help restore certain anti-inflammatory substances, including prostaglandin E1, that tend to be low in people with eczema.4

However, not all studies have found evening primrose oil to be helpful for eczema symptoms. More research, with larger sample sizes, is needed to determine whether evening primrose oil is a worthwhile natural treatment for people with eczema.

Could Help Minimize Tretinoin Side Effects 

Tretinoin is a medication often used to treat severe forms of acne. It is sold under several brand names, including Altreno and Atralin. Although tretinoin can be effective for reducing acne symptoms, it can lead to side effects like dry skin.6

A 2022 study that included 50 people with acne found that when the participants were treated with a combination of oral isotretinoin and 2,040mg of evening primrose oil for nine months, their skin hydration significantly increased. This helped reduce symptoms like dryness, cracked lips, and peeling skin.7

Participants who were treated with isotretinoin only experienced significant decreases in skin hydration.7

The fatty acids like gamma-linolenic acid and linoleic acid found in evening primrose oil may help counteract the skin-drying effects of isotretinoin because they work to prevent excessive water loss from the skin and maintain skin hydration.

 May Improve PMS Symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms people might get in the week or two leading up to their period. Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, acne, fatigue, and headache.11

Evening primrose oil has been shown to reduce PMS symptoms. For one study, 80 women with PMS received 1.5g of evening primrose oil or placebo for three months. After the three months, those who had taken the oil reported significantly less severe symptoms than those who had taken the placebo.11

It’s believed that the linoleic acid in evening primrose oil could be behind this effect, linoleic acid is known to alleviate PMS symptoms.