8 Ways to Use Black Cumin Seed Oil for Luscious Hair and Glowing Skin

Among the natural ingredients making a splash these days is the mysterious-sounding black cumin seed oil. Black cumin seed oil—also known as simply black seed oil, or nigella oil—comes from nigella sativa, a small shrub flowering with purple or white flowers that grows in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Western Asia.

The shrub produces fruits containing tiny black seeds that have been used in health and beauty applications for thousands of years in traditional cultures. Black cumin seeds were even found in King Tut’s tomb!

These aromatic seeds are also a common ingredient that adds a burst of flavor in cooking, especially in Indian dishes. Today, black cumin seeds have made a name for themselves in home beauty routines.

What Is Black Cumin Seed Oil and Where Does It Come From?

This amber-hued oil is extracted from tiny black seeds, which boast a variety of properties that make it a beneficial ingredient in natural beauty routines for both skin and hair.

The tiny seeds are packed with vitamins, amino acids, and essential fatty acids like omega-3,-6, and -9. All of these components work together to have a moisturizing and anti-aging effect on the skin and hair.

Choosing the Right Oil

Today, black cumin oil is available for purchase at grocery stores, health stores, and online in pure liquid form, as capsules, and blended with other oils or beauty products.

When choosing an oil, make sure to buy a cold-pressed, organic product. This ensures that the oil is in its most natural state and hasn’t been stripped of its nutrients. Always read the label to check that other ingredients haven’t been added to the product. This way you know you’re using black cumin oil in its pure form without harmful additives.

Here are eight ways you can use black cumin seed oil for your skin and hair.

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Condition Your Hair

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Black cumin seed oil is heavily moisturizing, which can work wonders on dry and damaged hair.

This oil is particularly known for its ability to help with split ends. The fatty and amino acids add a defensive layer to the hair, which protects the strands and helps prevent split ends.

Give your hair a nourishing treatment by making a black seed oil hair mask. To do this, simply mix equal parts black cumin seed oil and coconut oil. Before you shower, massage the mixture throughout your hair, evenly coating the strands with a particular focus on the ends.

Let the mask sit for about 30 minutes and then rinse out with water in the bath or shower. There is no need to shampoo, as the oil naturally cleanses AND conditions your hair.

Consistency is key, so for best results, use the mask weekly for shiny, soft hair, that is full of volume and free of frizz and damaged ends.

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Soothe Your Scalp

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Do you struggle with an itchy, dry scalp? The wholesome properties of black cumin seed oil make it a useful ingredient to soothe an irritated scalp.

For a quick and easy solution, simply rub a few drops in the palm of your hand and massage it on your scalp. Alternatively, you can make a nourishing scalp treatment with three simple ingredients you'll find in your kitchen.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon black cumin seed oil
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon honey

Steps

Mix the ingredients and then apply the mixture to your freshly washed scalp and hair.
Cover your hair with a towel or scarf and allow the treatment to sit for about half an hour.
Wash out the mask and style your hair as you typically would.

This soothing treatment can help reduce dandruff and also works wonders on dry or irritated skin anywhere on the body.

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Nourish Your Locks

essential oil of black cumin.selectiv focusb nature food — Milena Khosroshvili / Getty Images

Thanks to its omega-3 and omega-6 content, black seed oil has protective properties that will result in luscious locks.

To use, simply pour a few drops into the palms of your hands and gently massage the oil throughout your hair while you're in the shower. You can also look for shampoos and conditioners at health and beauty stores containing black cumin seed oil, which will have a similarly hydrating effect.

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Cleanse Your Face

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The uses of black cumin seed oil are just as plentiful for skin as they are for hair. The essential fatty acids in black cumin seed oil help flush out the excess oil that collects in the pores in your skin. Meanwhile, its anti-inflammatory properties can help calm redness and irritation.

Ensure your face is washed and dried and then apply a few drops of a gentle, black cumin seed oil-based face serum. Choose an all-natural serum with ingredients catered towards unclogging pores to leave your face feeling light and refreshed.

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Exfoliate Your Skin

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Maximize the benefits of this powerful oil by blending an exfoliating scrub that cleanses your face and scrubs away dead skin.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon black cumin seed carrier oil
3 tablespoon raw organic honey
3 tablespoon finely-ground apricot shell

Steps

Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser and then carefully apply approximately one tablespoon of the mixture on your face and neck.
Let the mask sit for 10-15 minutes to give it time to soak into the skin.
Massage the mask into your skin as you rinse it off with warm water.
Pat your face dry with a towel and apply 1-2 drops of pure black cumin seed oil as a moisturizer.

Used regularly, this exfoliating mask will contribute to younger, fresher-looking skin.

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Balance Your Complexion

Black cumin (nigella sativa or kalonji) seeds oil on cumin plant background — Ulada / Getty Images

Black cumin seed oil is rich in vitamin A, a nutrient known for its ability to strengthen collagen in the skin. Using the oil regularly as part of your skin care regimen can help lead to a more balanced, blemish-free complexion.

Applying a light layer of black cumin seed oil directly to the skin is a great way to balance out your skin tone and achieve a smooth, even complexion. If your skin is sensitive, mix it with another carrier oil like jojoba oil or grape seed oil, which are both lightweight and easily absorbed by the skin.

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Lock in Hydration

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One of the most alluring benefits of black cumin seed oil is its ability to deeply moisturize.

During the dry winter months, a black cumin seed oil moisturizer can be your best friend. You can choose to add a few drops of the oil to your regular face or body lotion to boost its hydrating effects or make a special body oil that will work wonders on dehydrated skin.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons jojoba oil
2 tablespoons sweet almond oil
1 tablespoon rose hip oil
2 teaspoons black cumin seed oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil

Mix the ingredients together well and store in a reusable glass container.

Add 8-10 drops to the palm of your hand, rub together to warm up the elixir, and then apply in circular motions to your skin. Use regularly to seal in moisture in both your face and body and enjoy silky, glowing skin year-round.

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Keep Your Skin Looking Youthful

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The moisturizing and antioxidant properties of black cumin seed oil can help fight free radicals that cause wrinkles, while also helping the skin stay elastic.

Use a few drops of the oil on its own or a special serum containing black cumin seed oil and spot apply it around the eyes and fine lines that may be revealing a few wrinkles. Regular application will fade lines and keep your skin looking youthful and fresh.