| What is it? | A carrier oil pressed from the seeds of the evening primrose flower. |
| INCI | Oenothera Biennis Oil |
| Appearance | Yellow liquid oil. |
| Usage rate | Up to 100% |
| Texture | A thick, heavy oil. |
| Scent | It smells very distinctly oily/fishy; I recommend blending it with other carrier oils and perhaps some essential oils to dilute/mask the scent. |
| Absorbency Speed | Sloooooow. |
| Solubility | Oil |
| Why do we use it in formulations? | It’s an amazing serum ingredient that is incredible at battling acne thanks to its high percentages of linoleic and gamma linolenic acid. |
| Do you need it? | I can’t recommend it enough if you struggle with acne. |
| Refined or unrefined? | I have the unrefined stuff, but if you are quite scent sensitive you might prefer the refined variety. |
| Strengths | It’s amazing for battling acne and tacking problematic skin. |
| Weaknesses | It’s pretty heavy and doesn’t smell amazing, so if your skin is already really well behaved you can probably skip it. |
| Alternatives & Substitutions | Black Currant Seed and borage oils have a similar fatty acid profile. They are also similarly heavy and oily-smelling. |
| How to Work with It | Include it in the oil phase of your recipes; avoid extended exposure to heat where possible. I typically aim to dilute it with a lighter oil or in an emulsion. |
| Storage & Shelf Life | Stored somewhere cool, dark, and dry, Evening Primrose Oil should last a year, if not more. It tends to have a pretty short shelf life. I’d store it in the fridge to extend it as much as possible. |
| Tips, Tricks, and Quirks | Try blending it with a faster absorbing oil, like argan or pomegranate seed, to help it sink into the skin faster. |
| Recommended starter amount | 100mL (3.3fl oz) or less |
| Where to Buy it | Buy it from an online DIY ingredient supplier or Amazon. |
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