Ingredient Encyclopedia

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Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Evening Primrose Oil – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) is a botanical oil extracted from the seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant. What sets it apart from other oils is its exceptionally high concentration of Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA), an Omega-6 fatty acid that the human body cannot produce on its own. While most oils simply sit on the surface to prevent water loss, the GLA in Evening Primrose Oil is thought to integrate into the skin’s cell membranes. This helps "re-glue" the skin cells (corneocytes) together, significantly reducing the microscopic gaps that cause sensitivity, redness, and that signature "raw" feeling of a compromised barrier.