Evening Primrose Oil
Carrier Oil, Liquid Oil
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. |
Some Formulations that Use Evening Primrose Oil