Black Seed Oil for Skin: Benefits and How to Use It
Eczema, acne, dry skin and wound care — what Nigella oil may do for skin.
Key takeaways
- Trials suggest benefits for hand eczema and acne.
- Use diluted, after patch testing.
- Oregano oil is too strong to apply undiluted.
Skin benefits
| Concern | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Hand eczema | Comparable to a steroid cream in one trial[^1] |
| Acne | Gel reduced lesions in a trial[^2] |
| Psoriasis | Animal studies only |
| Wound healing | Animal studies |
How to apply it
- Patch test on your inner arm for 24 hours.
- Apply a few drops to damp skin or mix into moisturiser.
- Use once or twice daily.
Oregano oil benefits for skin
Oregano oil is antimicrobial,[3] but it must be heavily diluted (well under 1%) for skin use, and many people find it irritating.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use black seed oil on my face?
Yes, diluted, after a patch test. Avoid the eye area.
The bottom line
Black seed oil has promising small trials for eczema and acne. Dilute it and patch test first.
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Sources
- Yousefi M, Barikbin B, Kamalinejad M, et al. Comparison of therapeutic effect of topical Nigella with Betamethasone and Eucerin in hand eczema. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013;27(12):1498-1504.
- Soleymani S, Zargaran A, Farzaei MH, et al. The effect of a hydrogel made by Nigella sativa L. on acne vulgaris: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2020;34(11):3052-3062.
- Leyva-López N, Gutiérrez-Grijalva EP, Vazquez-Olivo G, Heredia JB. Essential oils of oregano: biological activity beyond their antimicrobial properties. Molecules. 2017;22(6):989.
