Evening Primrose Oil: a quiet hero for troubled skin
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Evening primrose doesn't shout about itself, but it's one of the most useful oils you can keep on the shelf — especially if your skin, or someone you're making for, tends towards dryness, eczema or general grumpiness.
What makes it special
It's one of the few plant oils naturally rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that skin uses to keep its barrier strong and calm. When skin is struggling to hold moisture, GLA is exactly the sort of thing it's missing.
What it does for your skin
It soothes, it comforts dry and irritated patches, and it supports skin that flares up easily. It's a lighter, more delicate oil, so I rarely use it on its own — it shines as part of a blend.
How to use it
- 10 to 20% of the oils in a serum or balm for dry, reactive skin
- In a barrier balm for eczema-prone or weather-beaten skin
- Alongside a stable oil like jojoba to help it last
One thing to know: it's a delicate oil that oxidises faster than most, so keep it cool, buy it in sensible amounts, and always add vitamin E.
Steph x