GLA from Evening Primrose Oil - mechanism and myths

This article is for information only and does not replace medical advice. It is important to speak to your GP before making changes to your supplement routine, especially if you take medicines or have medical conditions. This supplement should not be taken by people who have epilepsy, except on the advice of a doctor.

Skin Support for mature skin

If you’re in midlife or older and already savvy about supplements, you’ve likely heard about evening primrose oil (EPO) for skin. This piece offers a friendly but honest look at what gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from EPO can and can’t do for mature, dry, or seasonally rough skin; how it might support the skin barrier; and how to choose a good‑value UK product.

Quick summary

• What EPO provides: A reliable source of GLA (about 90% per 1000 mg).
• How it may help: GLA helps to repair and restore the skin’s ability as a protective barrier as it contributes to skin barrier lipids. It can help to reduce inflammation in the body as it supports anti‑inflammatory signalling via DGLA-derived mediators.
• What it won’t do: Supplementing with EPO has not been shown to treat eczema in high‑quality trials; it’s not a substitute for moisturisers or medical care.
• Who may notice benefit: Adults with dry or mature skin, especially in winter or if dietary essential fatty acids are low, may experience modest improvements in comfort and hydration.
• How to use: a typical daily dose of 1000 mg EPO daily with food (about 90mg GLA). Results take a few weeks to show, so give it some time to take effect.

What evening primrose oil is (and why GLA content matters)

Evening primrose oil is pressed from the seeds of the Oenothera biennis plant. It’s valued for GLA, an omega‑6 fatty acid that the body can make from linoleic acid (LA). As we age, there is a reduction in linoleic acid in the body, so a direct source of GLA may be helpful in midlife and beyond.

Why does skin barrier health change with age

Your outer skin layer (stratum corneum) works like a brick-and-mortar wall. The “mortar” between cells is made of:

• Ceramides
• Cholesterol
• Free fatty acids, notably linoleic acid

A special group of ceramides (acylceramides) includes linoleic acid and this is important for the processes that reduce transepidermal water loss (TEWL). With age, we often see:

• Fewer ceramides and altered ratios of barrier lipids
• Increased TEWL and dryness or tightness
• Slower barrier recovery after irritation or cleansing

Practical implication: The best results come from a combined approach—support barrier lipids from the outside with a ceramide‑rich moisturiser and gentle cleansing, and support lipid availability from within via diet and targeted supplementation when appropriate.

How GLA might support the skin: two key angles

Structural lipid support

• Essential fatty acids (EFA) (especially Linoleic Acid) contribute to the synthesis of ceramides and the lipid matrix. In EFA deficiency, skin becomes rough and scaly; replenishing LA may reverse this.
• While overt deficiency is uncommon in the UK, some dietary patterns provide relatively little LA/GLA.
• GLA can be elongated to dihomo‑gamma‑linolenic acid (DGLA). Both LA and GLA influence barrier composition and water retention.

Anti‑inflammatory balance

• DGLA helps with processes that lead to anti‑inflammatory effects.
• In the skin, this may translate to calmer sensations and modest improvements in dryness or reactivity over weeks to months.

What the evidence says (and doesn’t)

Eczema/atopic dermatitis

• Multiple high‑quality systematic reviews, including a Cochrane review of oral EPO and borage oil, found no convincing benefit over a placebo for eczema severity or itch. Oral EPO is not a proven eczema treatment. For eczema, guideline‑based care and emollients remain first line.

Dry skin and healthy‑ageing skin

• Some trials and studies show an influence of oral GLA on skin hydration and TEWL in certain individuals.
• In some studies, people with mature, or seasonally dry skin reported improved comfort and a softer feel after a few weeks—especially in colder months or when dietary EFAs are low.

How to try EPO for skin: practical UK‑centric guidance

• Dose: 1000 mg daily with food. This typically provides around 90 mg GLA/day based on a 9% GLA content.
• Timeline: Skin lipid turnover is slow. Studies have shown that it can take a few weeks to feel and see a difference.
• Pair with topicals: Some studies suggest the use of a fragrance‑free, ceramide‑rich moisturiser daily (twice daily in colder months or after bathing). Use a pH‑balanced, gentle cleanser to avoid stripping the barrier.
• Diet basics: Include LA‑rich foods such as sunflower seeds, and nuts and rapeseed oil. Include oily fish 1–2 times weekly for omega‑3s (EPA/DHA). Think of GLA as complementing a nutrient‑dense diet, not replacing it.

Who might benefit most

• Mature or seasonally dry skin, especially in centrally heated, low‑humidity environments.
• Individuals with low habitual intake of EFAs (little use of nuts, seeds, or plant oils).

Myths versus facts

• Myth: More capsules mean faster results. Fact: There’s a sensible range. For skin comfort, around 90 mg GLA/day is recommended.
• Myth: If you take EPO, you can skip moisturising. Fact: Oral oils are not a replacement for emollients. The best results come from combining internal support with a smart topical routine.
• Myth: All 1000 mg EPOs are the same. Fact: Compare declared GLA content.

Where Woods Health’s Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg fits

Woods Health’s Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg is designed to provide dependable GLA at an accessible price point.

• Product page: Evening Primrose Oil

How long should I try it?

It can take a few weeks to show a real difference. But also remember to focus on dietary intake of helpful foods as well as using appropriate topical creams.

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References and further reading

• Cochrane Review: Oral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;CD004416. Conclusion: no convincing benefit over placebo for atopic dermatitis.
  https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004416.pub2/full
• NCCIH (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health). Evening Primrose Oil: In Depth. Balanced overview of potential uses, safety, and evidence.
  https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/evening-primrose-oil
• Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Experimental Dermatology. 2008;17(12):1063–1072. Overview of barrier structure, lipids, and function with relevance to dryness and ageing.
  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00786.x
• Boelsma E, Hendriks HFJ, Roza L. Nutritional skin care: health effects of micronutrients and fatty acids. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2001;73(5):853–864. Review linking dietary fatty acids with skin condition.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11333837/
• Calder PC. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and inflammation. Biochemical Society Transactions. 2005;33(2):423-7.
  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15787620/
• National Eczema Society (UK). Emollients: practical guidance on moisturisers as first‑line barrier care.
  https://eczema.org/information-and-advice/treatments-for-eczema/emollients/
• DermNet NZ. Dry skin and Skin ageing. Clear summaries on dry skin and age‑related changes.
  https://dermnetnz.org/topics/dry-skin
  https://dermnetnz.org/topics/ageing-skin
• Muggli, R. (2005) Systemic evening primrose oil improves the biophysical skin parameters of healthy adults. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 27(4), 243-9. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18492193/