GLA oils (evening primrose & borage)

Silver· human data

Also known as: Evening primrose oil, Borage oil, GLA

Omega-6 GLA oils taken for skin and PMS, with mixed and generally modest evidence.

Evening primrose and borage oils are sources of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), an omega-6 fatty acid, and are taken chiefly for skin conditions such as eczema and for premenstrual and breast-pain symptoms.

The evidence is mixed: reviews of eczema have been largely disappointing, while some find modest benefit for cyclical breast pain. Borage is the more concentrated GLA source. Overall a low-risk 'might help some people' option rather than a proven treatment.

Sources

PubMed: evening primrose borage oil GLA eczema PMS (research overview)

Written and reviewed by Mathew Beale, MSc Biotechnology, University of Reading.

Last reviewed: 22 July 2026