Evening Primrose Oil

Carrier Oil · Oenothera biennis

Evening Primrose Oil

The GLA classic

A pale golden oil pressed from evening primrose seeds — a celebrated source of soothing gamma-linolenic acid, long favoured for calming dry, reactive and mature skin. Hover any measure to see where evening primrose sits on the scale.

Weight
Medium
Heavy
Medium
Light
How heavy the oil feels on skin. Lighter oils absorb fast and sit weightless; heavier oils cushion and linger.
Absorption
Moderate
Fast
Moderate
Slow
How quickly the oil sinks in. Fast feels dry-touch; slow stays on the surface for longer-lasting conditioning.
Finish
Natural
Rich
Slight Sheen
Natural
Matte
The look left on the skin — from a flat, matte finish to a rich, visible sheen.
Vitamin E
Moderate
High
Moderate
Low
Natural antioxidant (tocopherol) content. Higher levels help protect skin and keep the oil stable.
The Basics

What it is

Evening primrose oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Oenothera biennis, a North American wildflower whose blooms open at dusk. Alongside borage, it's one of the best-known sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA).

That soothing GLA, set in a linoleic-rich base, gives it a long-standing reputation for calming dry, reactive and mature skin — usually woven into a blend as a targeted active.

Quick Facts

Botanical nameOenothera biennis
OriginNorth America
SourceSeeds
ExtractionCold-pressed
ColourPale yellow
ComedogenicLow (2)
Also calledEPO
Where it comes from

The Plant & The Seed

Evening primrose flower

The Evening Primrose

A hardy wildflower whose pale yellow, four-petalled blooms open in the evening and set slender seed pods.

Evening primrose seeds

The Seeds

The tiny seeds are cold-pressed to yield a pale oil prized for its GLA content.

Composition

The Compound Profile

Evening primrose is linoleic-rich with a prized GLA fraction. The typical breakdown:

Linoleic Acid Omega-6 · polyunsaturated
73%
Gamma-Linolenic Acid Omega-6 · GLA
10%
Oleic Acid Omega-9 · monounsaturated
8%
Palmitic Acid saturated
6%
Beyond Fatty Acids

What makes it sought-after:

Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA)
The soothing omega-6 evening primrose is famous for.
Linoleic Acid
A high omega-6 base that supports the skin barrier.
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Antioxidants that help protect skin and stabilise the oil.
Why People Love It

Key Benefits

Soothing GLA

A classic choice for calming dry, reactive skin.

Barrier Support

Linoleic-rich and supportive of a comfortable, balanced barrier.

Targeted Active

A little delivers a focused dose of conditioning omega-6.

In Our Formulations

How we use it

Evening primrose is a soothing active — we add it where a blend wants its calming GLA for dry or reactive skin.

Like other delicate seed oils, we use it alongside more stable bases and keep our blends fresh.

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