Overview

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 16 Researches
6.5
USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 41 Reviews
8
Supplement Facts
Serving Size:  1 Softgel
Amount Per Serving
%DV
Calories
10
 
Total Fat
1.3 g
2%*
Polyunsaturated Fat
1 g
Monounsaturated Fat
<0.5 g
Evening Primrose Oil(Oenothera biennis) (Seed) (Cold-Pressed, Hexane-Free)
1.3 g (1,300 mg)
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)
120 mg

Top Medical Research Studies

9
Evening primrose oil shows promise
We explored the effects of evening primrose oil on children's atopic eczema over a 20-week period. Initially, we observed that kids who took this oil showed significant improvement in their skin conditions after just four weeks. Remarkably, those benefits continued throughout the entire treatment duration. Along with these clinical improvements, we also noted changes in the fatty acid composition in the children's blood cells. Despite these positive findings, it's worth noting that opinions about the effectiveness of evening primrose oil vary among researchers, making the overall consensus somewhat unclear.
Read More
7
Evening Primrose Oil effective for eczema
We explored the effects of evening primrose oil (EPO) on Korean patients with mild atopic dermatitis through a well-structured randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Fifty participants took either EPO or a placebo for four months. By the end of the study, those who received EPO showed significant improvements in their eczema symptoms compared to the placebo group.

While some slight improvements in skin hydration and transepidermal water loss were noted, they weren't statistically significant. Overall, we found EPO to be a safe and effective option for managing mild atopic dermatitis.
Read More
7
Evening primrose oil shows promise for eczema
We examined the effects of evening primrose oil on eczema by studying 40 patients over eight weeks. The participants were split into two groups: one receiving 160 mg daily and the other 320 mg twice daily.

Both groups showed a reduction in eczema symptoms as measured by the Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) scores. Interestingly, while the higher dose group had more significant fatty acid level improvements, both doses appeared effective in managing eczema symptoms.

Overall, this study suggests that evening primrose oil may help alleviate eczema without notable side effects.
Read More

Most Useful Reviews

9
Eczema flare-up reduced
102 people found this helpful
I'm super impressed! After a terrible allergic reaction that caused an eczema flare-up on my neck, I found this supplement. Within days, the itching and redness decreased substantially. Highly recommend this brand!
Read More
7.5
Eczema support claimed
54 people found this helpful
The oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, beneficial for eczema and other skin issues. It enhances skin quality and elasticity, and I recommend taking it for 12 weeks for best results.
Read More
8
Eczema oil helpful
46 people found this helpful
I've been taking this for about a month, and it has dramatically improved my hair. Additionally, it works wonders for my daughter's eczema; she even asks for her "special oil" for her "eczemuff."
Read More

Medical Researches

SCIENTIFIC SCORE
Questionable
Based on 16 Researches
6.5
  • All Researches
9
Evening primrose oil shows promise
We examined nine controlled trials to understand how evening primrose oil, specifically Epogam, impacts atopic eczema.

Both patients and doctors noted significant improvements in skin symptoms, such as dryness and itchiness, especially in the initial parallel studies.

However, while improvements were observed in crossover trials, the difference compared to placebo didn’t reach statistical significance for doctor scores.

Importantly, patients experienced a notable reduction in itch severity, underscoring Epogam's potential benefits for those struggling with eczema.
Read More
9
Evening primrose oil shows promise
We investigated the effects of evening primrose oil on children with atopic eczema. In a focused study, 24 children were divided into two groups: one received a higher dose of evening primrose oil, while the other got a placebo.

After just four weeks, we observed significant improvement in eczema symptoms among those treated with evening primrose oil compared to the placebo group. This suggests that evening primrose oil can positively influence children's eczema, potentially due to its impact on essential fatty acids.
Read More
9
Evening primrose oil shows promise
We explored the effects of evening primrose oil on children's atopic eczema over a 20-week period. Initially, we observed that kids who took this oil showed significant improvement in their skin conditions after just four weeks. Remarkably, those benefits continued throughout the entire treatment duration. Along with these clinical improvements, we also noted changes in the fatty acid composition in the children's blood cells. Despite these positive findings, it's worth noting that opinions about the effectiveness of evening primrose oil vary among researchers, making the overall consensus somewhat unclear.
Read More
The study explored the anti-inflammatory effects of long-chain fatty alcohols derived from evening primrose oil (EPO). We discovered that these compounds reduced nitric oxide production and curbed the secretion of certain inflammatory cytokines in lab tests using murine macrophages.

However, while the results point to the potential benefits of EPO in managing inflammation, this study primarily involved in vitro analyses, meaning further research is needed to establish its effectiveness specifically for eczema in humans. Overall, evening primrose oil shows promise, but significant clinical benefits for eczema should be approached with caution.
Read More
8
Mixed results on evening primrose oil
We explored the effectiveness of evening primrose oil as a treatment for atopic eczema. Controlled clinical trials displayed marked improvements in patients, with reductions in inflammation, dryness, and overall eczema severity compared to the control group. Although some meta-analyses support these positive findings, conflicting results from crossover trials regarding itching relief suggest that more research is necessary.

Overall, evening primrose oil appears to be a safe option, but we still need more studies to fully understand its benefits and efficacy.
Read More

User Reviews

USERS' SCORE
Good
Based on 41 Reviews
8
  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
9
Eczema flare-up reduced
102 people found this helpful
I'm super impressed! After a terrible allergic reaction that caused an eczema flare-up on my neck, I found this supplement. Within days, the itching and redness decreased substantially. Highly recommend this brand!
Read More
7.5
Eczema support claimed
54 people found this helpful
The oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, beneficial for eczema and other skin issues. It enhances skin quality and elasticity, and I recommend taking it for 12 weeks for best results.
Read More
8
Eczema oil helpful
46 people found this helpful
I've been taking this for about a month, and it has dramatically improved my hair. Additionally, it works wonders for my daughter's eczema; she even asks for her "special oil" for her "eczemuff."
Read More
9
Eczema relief
31 people found this helpful
After three months of using this product, it has been excellent for my eczema and skin, leaving my body clean and soft.
Read More
9
PMS and eczema
14 people found this helpful
Evening primrose oil helps alleviate PMS symptoms and reduces itching and inflammation associated with skin conditions like eczema. I highly recommend it to all women for its benefits to female health.
Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

7.5
Eczema support claimed
54 people found this helpful
The oil is rich in gamma-linolenic acid, beneficial for eczema and other skin issues. It enhances skin quality and elasticity, and I recommend taking it for 12 weeks for best results.
9
Eczema relief
31 people found this helpful
After three months of using this product, it has been excellent for my eczema and skin, leaving my body clean and soft.
9
Eczema solution
3 people found this helpful
Great for eczema! I had two peculiar spots diagnosed as eczema. After resuming my Evening Primrose oil, they vanished within weeks, and I didn’t even need to use the prescribed topical cream.
0
Adverse effects observed
My eczema seems to have worsened after using the evening primrose oil. It might work for others, but it hasn't suited me.
9
Eczema relief
1 people found this helpful
My daughter suffers from eczema, and taking this product regularly has really helped. She was even able to swim without experiencing a breakout!
9
Eczema improvement
6 people found this helpful
I purchased evening primrose oil for its potential to reduce prostaglandin production. Initially ineffective for me, it worked wonders for my daughter, easing her inflamed eczema significantly.
7.5
Cycle improvement
35 people found this helpful
I have experienced issues with eczema and hair loss. My menstrual cycle was irregular, having only nine periods a year. After taking evening primrose oil for two months, I noticed the same hair loss, but my skin became moisturised, my eczema began to heal, and my cycle improved to 30 days. I intend to continue taking it.
9
PMS and eczema
14 people found this helpful
Evening primrose oil helps alleviate PMS symptoms and reduces itching and inflammation associated with skin conditions like eczema. I highly recommend it to all women for its benefits to female health.
7
Evening Primrose Oil effective for eczema
We explored the effects of evening primrose oil (EPO) on Korean patients with mild atopic dermatitis through a well-structured randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Fifty participants took either EPO or a placebo for four months. By the end of the study, those who received EPO showed significant improvements in their eczema symptoms compared to the placebo group.

While some slight improvements in skin hydration and transepidermal water loss were noted, they weren't statistically significant. Overall, we found EPO to be a safe and effective option for managing mild atopic dermatitis.
9
Evening primrose oil shows promise
We investigated the effects of evening primrose oil on children with atopic eczema. In a focused study, 24 children were divided into two groups: one received a higher dose of evening primrose oil, while the other got a placebo.

After just four weeks, we observed significant improvement in eczema symptoms among those treated with evening primrose oil compared to the placebo group. This suggests that evening primrose oil can positively influence children's eczema, potentially due to its impact on essential fatty acids.
7
Evening primrose oil shows limited benefit
We assessed the effects of Efamol evening primrose oil (EPO) on atopic eczema through a comprehensive analysis of multiple clinical trials.

The results indicate that EPO can help reduce symptoms like itching, crusting, swelling, and redness after about 4 to 8 weeks of use.

However, it's important to note that its effectiveness may diminish alongside the frequent use of strong steroids. There seems to be growing complexity in how individuals respond, suggesting that some may not benefit as much due to varying metabolic factors.

Further studies are essential to untangle these nuances and fully understand the role of fatty acids in eczema management.
4
Evening primrose oil shows inconsistent benefits
We conducted a systematic review to understand how evening primrose oil (EPO) might help with inflammatory conditions, including eczema. The review included a range of studies comparing EPO with a placebo or other treatments.

While some studies indicated benefits of EPO in various inflammatory disorders, the evidence is mixed. Specifically for eczema, EPO did show some positive effects, but it didn't work for all types of dermatitis.

The overall research remains inconclusive, and we need more high-quality studies to clarify EPO's effectiveness as a treatment.
We analyzed several studies to examine the effectiveness of evening primrose oil (EPO) and borage oil (BO) in treating eczema. Despite hopes that these oils might ease symptoms thanks to their beneficial components, our findings showed that neither EPO nor BO provided significant improvement compared to placebo.

Out of 27 studies involving nearly 1,600 participants, results demonstrated that both oils had effects similar to non-active treatments. Therefore, relying on these oils for eczema relief may not be the best choice.
1
No significant effect on eczema
We aimed to investigate how evening primrose oil, known for its linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids, affects patients with atopic eczema. Employing a robust double-blind, blocked crossover design, we randomly assigned 123 participants to treatment groups to ensure clear results.

Despite our thorough methodology, we found no significant improvement in symptoms like erythema or overall severity. This suggests that evening primrose oil may not be an effective oral supplement for those struggling with this condition.

References

  1. Vassilopoulou E, Comotti A, Douladiris N, Konstantinou GΝ, Zuberbier T, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional and dietary interventions in randomized controlled trials for skin symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis and without food allergy: An EAACI task force report. Allergy. 2024;79:1708. doi:10.1111/all.16160
  2. Sharifi M, Nourani N, Sanaie S, Hamedeyazdan S. The effect of Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil on inflammatory diseases: a systematic review of clinical trials. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2024;24:89. doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04378-5
  3. Chung BY, Park SY, Jung MJ, Kim HO, Park CW. Effect of Evening Primrose Oil on Korean Patients With Mild Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Study. Ann Dermatol. 2018;30:409. doi:10.5021/ad.2018.30.4.409
  4. Vieira BL, Lim NR, Lohman ME, Lio PA. Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Atopic Dermatitis: An Evidence-Based Review. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17:557.
  5. Montserrat-de la Paz S, García-Giménez MD, Ángel-Martín M, Pérez-Camino MC, Fernández Arche A. Long-chain fatty alcohols from evening primrose oil inhibit the inflammatory response in murine peritoneal macrophages. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;151:131. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.10.012
  6. Chung BY, Kim JH, Cho SI, Ahn IS, Kim HO, et al. Dose-dependent effects of evening primrose oil in children and adolescents with atopic dermatitis. Ann Dermatol. 2013;25:285. doi:10.5021/ad.2013.25.3.285
  7. Bamford JT, Ray S, Musekiwa A, van Gool C, Humphreys R, et al. Oral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;2013:CD004416. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004416.pub2
  8. Morse NL, Clough PM. A meta-analysis of randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials of Efamol evening primrose oil in atopic eczema. Where do we go from here in light of more recent discoveries?. Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2006;7:503.
  9. Kerscher MJ, Korting HC. Treatment of atopic eczema with evening primrose oil: rationale and clinical results. Clin Investig. 1992;70:167.
  10. Morse PF, Horrobin DF, Manku MS, Stewart JC, Allen R, et al. Meta-analysis of placebo-controlled studies of the efficacy of Epogam in the treatment of atopic eczema. Relationship between plasma essential fatty acid changes and clinical response. Br J Dermatol. 1989;121:75.
  11. Bordoni A, Biagi PL, Masi M, Ricci G, Fanelli C, et al. Evening primrose oil (Efamol) in the treatment of children with atopic eczema. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1988;14:291.
  12. Biagi PL, Bordoni A, Masi M, Ricci G, Fanelli C, et al. A long-term study on the use of evening primrose oil (Efamol) in atopic children. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1988;14:285.
  13. Schalin-Karrila M, Mattila L, Jansen CT, Uotila P. Evening primrose oil in the treatment of atopic eczema: effect on clinical status, plasma phospholipid fatty acids and circulating blood prostaglandins. Br J Dermatol. 1987;117:11.
  14. Galland L. Increased requirements for essential fatty acids in atopic individuals: a review with clinical descriptions. J Am Coll Nutr. 1986;5:213.
  15. Bamford JT, Gibson RW, Renier CM. Atopic eczema unresponsive to evening primrose oil (linoleic and gamma-linolenic acids). J Am Acad Dermatol. 1985;13:959.
  16. Manku MS, Horrobin DF, Morse NL, Wright S, Burton JL. Essential fatty acids in the plasma phospholipids of patients with atopic eczema. Br J Dermatol. 1984;110:643.
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