Black seed oil has been used as a natural remedy for centuries, even deriving inferences in several ancient Greek, Egyptian, Indian, and Arabian texts and healing traditions. It comes from Nigella sativa, a small flowering plant that’s native to Eastern Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle East. The seeds — also called black cumin, black caraway, and kalonji — are popular condiments used in Indian dishes to enhance its flavours, but their oil is what really grabs attention. Said to help clear up acne and even boost hair growth, black seed oil has forayed the grooming market through a range of exciting products. But does it actually work? And how? Here’s breaking it all down.
Black seed oil benefits for men: Does it help reduce acne and support hair growth?
What is black seed oil? Black seed oil is an herbal extract that contains active components like thymoquinone, thymohydroquinone, dithymoquinone, p-Cymen, carvacrol, 4-Terpineol, t-Anethol, longifolene sesquiterpene, alpha-pinene, alpha-hederin, and thymol as well as helpful fatty acids like linoleic acid, oleic acid, eicodadienoic acid and dihomolinoleic acid. The therapeutic powers of these medicinal properties make the oil an immunostimulant, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-ulcerative, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumorous, anti-pyretic, hypoglycaemic, immunomodulatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-depressant, anti-spasmic, hepatoprotective, and anti-parasitary product. Most of these are known antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that improve skin and hair. However, it’s important to note that it shouldn’t be used in place of conventional medicine, but more as a helpful addition.
“Thymoquinone tackles root causes of male skin issues, such as excess sebum production triggered by testosterone, which often leads to acne. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help clear breakouts without the harsh side effects of chemical treatments,” says Dr Sonali Kohli, Senior Consultant – Dermatology, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai.
How does black seed oil help?
Skincare
Black seed oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties help improve skin health. “It penetrates deep into pores, calms inflammation, and supports the skin barrier — critical for men prone to large pores and persistent breakouts,” says Kohli.
A 2020 study — The effect of a hydrogel made by Nigella sativa L on acne vulgaris: A randomised double-blind clinical trial by Samaneh Soleymani, Arman Zargaran, Mohammad Hosein Farzaei, Amin Iranpanah, Fatemeh Heydarpour, Fariba Najafi, Roja Rahimi found that a gel that comprised of gel black seed oil reduced acne severity by 78 per cent, when applied twice a day for 60 days.
A 2019 study titled Effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa for vitiligo treatment by Gulbahar Sarac, Yelda Kapicioglu, Serpil Sener, Irem Mantar, Saim Yologlu, Cihat Dundar, Murat Turkoglu and Erkin Pekmezci surveyed 33 people with vitiligo who used the a cream made with black seed oil. The participants applied it twice, everyday, and after six months, they found that it had helped improve pigmentation in the hands, face, and other parts of the body.
To this end, skincare brands have been actively including black seed oil in their various creams, gels and lotions with the incentive of their products helping reduce acne, pimples and other forms of skin blemishes.
Haircare
“For hair, black seed oil nourishes follicles, enhances scalp circulation, and may block 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme converting testosterone to DHT—the main cause of male pattern baldness,” Kohli explains.
Black seed oil also contains a range of beneficial fatty acids, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory properties that act as antihistamines and antioxidants, supporting scalp health and potentially stimulating hair follicles.
A study titled A Review on Nigella sativa: A Marvel Herb by Safiya Begum and Dr Abdul Mannan, which was published in 2020, found that the daily use of a Nigella sativa extract lotion for three months significantly increased hair density and thickness in people with telogen effluvium, a common form of hair loss. It also found that out of all the seed oils used by the participants in the survey, the black seed oil was the most effective at reducing hair loss.
Side effects that come with using black seed oil
Although black seed oil tends to work for most skin and hair types, those using it may experience some side effects like a breakout of rashes and gastrointestinal issues. It should ideally not be utilised by individuals who are pregnant or have any pre-existing health conditions like liver and kidney disease. Like with any other supplement, it’s essential to consult with your healthcare professional before incorporating it into your routine.
