Best Organic Evening Primrose Oil

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Evening primrose oil comes from the seeds of the evening primrose plant and contains the omega-6 fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). It is sold as softgels to take by mouth and as an oil for the skin. This guide covers what the NIH says about it, its side effects, how to read an organic claim, and how three primrose oil products compare.

General information, not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start a supplement, especially if you are pregnant, take medicine or are buying for a child.

Key Specs Compared

Numbers match the reviews below (tap to jump).

Key specs of the 3 supplements reviewed below

#	Form	Size / count	Stated certifications	Vegan
1	Softgels	120 Count	Non-GMO	No (gelatin softgel)
2	Softgels	120 Count	Organic, Non-GMO	Yes
3	Oil	2 Fl Oz	Non-GMO	Not stated

– = not stated by the maker · Specs and certifications as stated by the listing, not tested or verified by us; check the listing before you buy

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What Evening Primrose Oil Is

• Source – The oil comes from evening primrose seeds, and it contains omega-6 fatty acids including GLA.^[1]
• Forms – Evening primrose oil is sold as dietary supplements and is also included in products applied to the skin.^[1]
• Regulation – Dietary supplements are not approved by the FDA before they are sold, so the quality and amount per capsule vary by brand.^[1]

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What the Research Shows

• Eczema – Evening primrose oil taken by mouth has not been shown to help symptoms of atopic dermatitis.^[1]
• Breast Pain – It is probably not more effective than a placebo for breast pain.^[1]
• Starting Labor – Studies of evening primrose oil taken by mouth or used vaginally to start labor have had inconsistent results.^[1]
• Other Uses – There is not enough evidence to show whether it helps rheumatoid arthritis, premenstrual syndrome or menopause symptoms.^[1]

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Side Effects and Safety

• Adults – Evening primrose oil is probably safe for most adults when taken by mouth and is generally well tolerated.^[1]
• Pregnancy – Evening primrose oil may be safe in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but the evidence is not conclusive.^[1]
• Breastfeeding – Taking it while breastfeeding raises the amount of GLA in breast milk, and this has not been linked to harm in the infant.^[1]

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What to Check on a Primrose Oil Label

• Organic Claim – A product can carry the USDA organic seal only if it is certified, and a product that is not certified can name only its certified organic ingredients as organic on the information panel.^[3]
• Supplement Facts – The label shows the amount per serving and the other ingredients, so check the milligrams of oil and GLA per serving.^[2]
• Oral or Skin Use – Two picks are softgels to swallow and one is a carrier oil for the skin, so choose by how you plan to use it.

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What the Research Says

NCCIH says there is not enough evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for any health condition, and that it has not been shown to help atopic dermatitis.^[1] The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements says the FDA does not determine whether dietary supplements are effective before they are marketed.^[2]

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How We Chose These Products

We do not test products. We compare product details: form, amount per container, stated certifications, ingredients and availability.^[3] Brands don’t pay to be included, though we may earn a commission from purchases.

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Our Evening Primrose Oil Picks

We found three evening primrose oil products, so this guide has three picks. With every purchase through the links on this page, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

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1

• Barlean’s Evening Primrose Oil is a 120-count bottle of 1300 mg softgels with GLA, and the directions call for 2 softgels a day.
• The seeds are cold pressed without hexane or other chemicals, and the oil is non-GMO and gluten-free.
• It is made in the USA.

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2

• OmniBiotics Organic Evening Primrose Oil is a 120-count bottle of cold-pressed softgels with 1,500 mg of oil and 150 mg of GLA per serving.
• The oil is cold-pressed from organic evening primrose seeds, and it is non-GMO and vegan.
• It is free of gluten, soy, nuts, dairy and sugar.

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3

• Plantlife Evening Primrose Carrier Oil is a 2 oz bottle of 100 percent pure evening primrose oil for skin and hair care.
• It is fragrance-free, non-GMO and gluten-free.
• It is a topical carrier oil, so it is not a supplement to swallow.

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Index Table: Organic Evening Primrose Oil

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Sources

1. NCCIH. Evening Primrose Oil: Usefulness and Safety. Accessed October 27, 2026.
2. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. Accessed October 27, 2026.
3. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. Organic Labeling Standards. Accessed October 27, 2026.

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Update History

• Oct 2026: Rewrote the guide text and product notes around the NCCIH evening primrose oil page, replaced the skin product section with what the research shows and the side effects, removed unsupported claims, and replaced the sources (NCCIH, NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, USDA)
• Oct 2026: Removed NOW Solutions Evening Primrose Oil (no organic claim on its product page); corrected Barlean’s to non-vegetarian (gelatin softgel); added blood-thinner, pregnancy and surgery cautions; added Sources (FDA, American Academy of Dermatology, USDA, CPSC, NCCIH, Mayo Clinic, product page)
• May 2020: First published

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