evening primrose oil

Evening primrose or primrose is better known as evening primrose, which blooms after sunset. Despite its own inconspicuousness, the plant is able to reveal the potential of our beauty.

Evening primrose: what is it

The beneficial properties of primrose (aka evening primrose, biennial primrose, evening primrose) were known in ancient times. The Incas and Maya treated this modest-looking flower with respect and sacred awe. It was believed that primrose was able to “drink blood”, and therefore wounds were treated with her infusion, watered women after childbirth, treated colic, headaches, and much more.

In the Scandinavian sagas, the primrose was called the keys of the goddess Freya, opening the spring. And the Celts dreamed of hearing the singing of the fairies hiding in these flowers – according to legend, this promised a person a happy and long life.

These are all, of course, beautiful legends. However, the long-noted property of the primrose to quickly respond even to a slight change in temperature is still appreciated and used on the island of Java. If the evening primrose suddenly blooms long before the due date, the residents know that the volcano has begun to wake up, which means that you need to get away from the mountain as soon as possible. Evening primrose oil is obtained from the seeds by cold pressing. Collecting them is not easy, so this oil is far from the cheapest. But you will understand that it is worth it if you get acquainted with the composition and useful properties of the product.

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Features of composition

Pale yellow, with a barely perceptible nutty smell, evening primrose seed oil is unique, because, despite its plant origin, it is close in composition to fish oil. It contains:

  1. a lot of fatty acids: 80% is linoleic acid, enhanced with alpha and gamma components, and also palmitic, stearic, oleic and rare eicosene, which moisturizes the skin well, strengthens hair follicles and is a natural UV filter;

  2. almost all the minerals we need (sodium, calcium, potassium, iron, zinc);

  3. vitamins E, C, group B, carotene;

  4. flavonoidы.

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Useful Properties

The rich composition of evening primrose oil determined its many beneficial properties:

  • antioxidant (protects cells from the aggression of free radicals);

  • anti-aging;

  • healing;

  • soothing;

  • protective;

  • nutritious;

  • occlusive (protects tissues from dehydration);

  • tonic;

  • stimulating metabolism and regeneration;

    Evening primrose oil is good for women’s health

  • anti-inflammatory (suppresses the production of inflammation-provoking substances);

  • immune-strengthening (stimulates the production of special immune proteins).

    In addition, the organic combination of nutrients and elements makes the oil natural. biostimulant, as well as an enhancer of the action of essential oils. The oil also stabilizes hormonal background (participates in the synthesis of prostaglandins, the deficiency of which threatens menstrual irregularities). Gynecologists prescribe evening primrose oil: to stimulate conception; pregnant women before childbirth to prepare the uterus for active work; to alleviate the condition with PMS and menopause.

Almost all of these properties are important for the skin. Like most vegetable oils, evening primrose oil is very effective when used externally.
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Application in cosmetics

Creams, lotions, masks – evening primrose oil is part of the products of various categories, intended for both face and body skin, and scalp and hair. It is useful:

  • for dry, sensitive and irritated skin – its nutritional properties and ability to retain moisture are important here;

  • for aging skin – Antioxidant action is especially important;

  • for damaged skin (after peels, for example) Primrose seed oil accelerates the recovery and healing process.

In the formulas of shampoos, conditioners, balms and hair masks, oil, firstly, heals the scalp, and secondly, it has a beneficial effect on the hair shaft itself – it restores the structure, smoothes, and gives a healthy shine. Helps to solve hair problems:

  • damaged, weak;

  • drop-down;

  • losing color;

  • slow growing;

  • thinned, split.

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Safety measures

Since evening primrose oil has active biostimulating properties, it should be used with caution. So, ingestion is excluded:

  • for those suffering from mental illness and psoriasis;

  • during pregnancy and lactation;

  • if you are intolerant to this oil or (very rarely) allergic to it. In this case, of course, the oil cannot be used externally.

    Evening primrose oil is used as an addition to basic care.

As for the cosmetic use of pure evening primrose oil, as an additive (2-3 drops) to the usual evening cream, in the absence of contraindications, it is useful for dry skin types, noticeable age-related changes and pigmentation.

Cosmeticians do not recommend applying pure evening primrose seed oil to the face daily, as it stimulates the production of sebum.

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Evening primrose oil remedy

© Kiehl’s

Night recovery concentrate for the face Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Kiehl’s, intensively moisturizes and regenerates the skin at night. In addition to primrose oil (there is a record amount of 15%), the composition contains squalane at a concentration of 9%, as well as geranium, lavender, rosehip and rose oils. Gives the skin firmness, elasticity, radiance and freshness.

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