Evening primrose oil, also known as EPO, is a healthful oil for women. Derived from the seeds of the North American evening primrose plant, EPO is well known for being high in gamma linoleic acid (GLA), an omega-6 essential fat found mostly in plant oils (such as borage or black currant seed). Native Americans traditionally used evening primrose seeds, roots and leaves for food, but the plant was also used medicinally to address common ailments such as wounds, bruises, sore throats and upset stomachs.*
Today, many women take EPO as a supplement for its skin-health benefits. EPO supports a healthy inflammatory response, and when applied topically, it can help soothe and calm irritated, inflamed or dry skin, or…fight wrinkles!*
You’ll find EPO as an ingredient in many skincare products, but it’s easy to make your own anti-aging serum with capsules you may already have on hand. Here’s how:
Evening Primrose Oil Skin Serum
What you’ll need:
Evening primrose oil capsules
Pure jojoba oil
Lavender essential oil
What to do:
- Open an EPO capsule and pour the contents into a small bowl.
- Add about a tablespoon of pure jojoba oil.To enhance its skin-soothing affects, add one or two drops of lavender essential oil.
- Apply a thin layer to your skin before bedtime.
If you want to take EPO as a supplement, caspules can be purchased with EPO alone or EPO blended with other healthy oils like flax or hemp seed. When taking pure EPO capsules, a good amount to support overall health is 1,300 mg, twice daily.*
EPO also can be added directly to food or drinks, but because of its mega-6 fat content, mix it with cold or warm — never hot — foods. Also, EPO should be kept refrigerated and well sealed to prevent oxidation.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.