Evening Primrose Oil For Acne

I had been getting a lot of acne non-stop ever since I started university. Stress and the lack of sleep had definitely contributed to the change in my hormones, which resulted in my face horribly breaking out. After the first year, I was still getting modules a couple times a month and I started looking for some over-the-counter products that would be able to control them. Even though I am prescribed tretinoin and clindamycin for my acne, they are not designed to treat nodular acne that is far underneath the skin’s surface. Unlike pustules or whiteheads which develop superficially right under the skin’s surface, hormonal acne such as cysts and nodules grow deeper. In my case, my prescription topicals would not work as it would not reach far enough to treat the actual root of the inflammations, it would only make my skin dryer but the inflammation would still persist.  As I researched online, I noticed many people recommending the herbal supplement, Evening Primrose Oil for acne.

THE EVENING PRIMROSE OIL

Evening Primrose Oil, a vegetable oil extracted from the Oenothera family of plants. It is high in Gamma-Linoleic Acid (GLA), a type of omega fatty acid that has been claimed to have numerous health benefits. Evening Primrose Oil has been shown to improve dry skin, alleged to have the ability to influence hormonal swings and fluctuations and to improve the elasticity of the skin as well as its overall moisture level. Not only is evening primrose oil great for the skin, but its diluted form can also be used to keep your hair moisturized, giving it some shine. Many other people use evening primrose oil to remove their makeup as part of the oil cleansing method. These are only some of the benefits of evening primrose oil, there are several more that are not for cosmetic purposes.

EVENING PRIMROSE OIL FORM

The Evening Primrose Oil can come in an actual oil form or capsule form. I personally take the capsule form orally as it is more convenient and you can also gain its benefits for the bodily functions. Twice a day, I take 2 capsules of 500 mg Evening Primrose Oil, preferably taken with the meal. After taking it for over a month, I can say that I haven’t been getting any modules anymore. My face has not been completely cleared up yet, but I am really satisfied with the fact of not having to deal with large pimples on my face. In addition to taking it to treat my acne, I was also hoping for it to treat my irregular menstrual cycle as the Evening Primrose Oil is said to help balance hormones. 

MY EXPERIENCE

Ever since a few years ago, I would sometimes miss my menstruation and would only arrive once every two months. After taking Evening Primrose Oil, even though it was sometimes late, my menstruation had come every month. On the bottle of my Evening Primrose Oil capsules, it is advised for you take 2 capsules two to four times a day, but when you are just starting out, I think it would be better to take 1 capsule twice a day, then move up as your body begins to tolerate it. It is important to do so as there are side effects, although they are very rare and mild if your dosage of Evening Primrose Oil is too high when you are just starting out.

SOME SIDE EFFECTS

Some of the side effects include headaches, stomach pains, and nausea. If you are currently taking any medications, you should speak to your doctor before taking Evening Primrose Oil to make sure that this supplement is not affecting the effectiveness of your current medication. Even if you are not on any medication, it is still a good idea to speak to your doctor to see if Evening Primrose Oil for acne is suitable for you.