Celebrity makeup artists like Aneela Zaman, who founded Zaman Skincare, have seen the benefits of using black cumin seed oil to reverse signs of aging.
What’s more, black cumin seed oil speeds up wound healing and heals eczema. But all we’ve mentioned so far are benefits from topical application. If you take black cumin seed oil internally, it might help with managing diabetes and improving digestion, among other things (1).
The difference between black seed oil and black cumin seed oil
The names of these two products are used interchangeably, but technically the oil may come from two different plants, Nigella sativa and Bunium bulbocastanum. In neither case is the oil actually black, but rather an amber color. Sometimes it’s called kalonji oil, too.
What is black cumin seed oil used for?
Black cumin seed oil isn’t very tasty, but it’s so rich in omega fatty acids and phytosterols that lower cholesterol, it’s a popular dietary supplement. In fact, it’s been used since at least the time of King Tut to treat a wide variety of diseases.
Thankfully, you don’t have to drink the oil straight. You can purchase it in black seed oil capsules.
The most talked about active compound in it is called thymoquinone, a potent antioxidant that boosts the immune system and helps with allergies and inflammation. We included a brand of black seed oil with the highest thymoquinone in the reviews below.
Other than consuming it, feel free to use black cumin seed oil as a hair conditioner and a skin moisturizer. It heals a flaky scalp and soothes dry skin without clogging pores. Over time, it can fade discoloration, plus it speeds up recovery from acne outbreaks.
Who should not take black cumin seed oil?
Black cumin seed oil may thin the blood, causing issues for persons already taking a blood thinner. In fact, if you have any dietary restrictions, plant allergies, kidney or liver conditions, or are pregnant or nursing, check with a doctor before using black cumin seed oil.
How to choose the best black cumin seed oil
When you’re shopping for black seed oil (also known as black cumin seed oil), we recommend brands with organic certifications so that the oil is pesticide-free.
If you choose unrefined, cold-pressed oil, it will contain the highest amount of nutrients. If you’re concerned about chemicals, verify that it’s hexane-free. (Any time we had access to that information, we included it in the article below).
Lastly, to keep the oil fresh as long as possible, we prefer dark-colored glass bottles, and we store them in a cool, dry, dark place. Skip the refrigerator – your oil will do better in a cupboard where it’s drier. Also, you won’t have to warm it up before using it. The less exposure to heat, the fresher and more potent the oil stays.
Check out the best black seed oil reviews below to find what you need.
| The best black cumin seed oils | Why we love them |
|---|---|
| Herbal Wind Black Seed Oil |
|
| Heritage Store Organic Black Seed Oil |
|
| MAJESTIC PURE Black Seed Oil |
|
| USDA-Certified Black Seed Carrier Oil by SVA Organics |
|
| Triquetra Black Seed Oil TQ Advanced – 5% Thymoquinone |
|
| Black Seed Facial Cream by Madina |
|
| The VITALITY ELIXIR by MAHALO Skin Care |
|
Best Black Cumin Seed Oils in 2023
Herbal Wind Black Seed Oil
This oil checks all the boxes: it’s USDA-certified organic and non-GMO, plus it’s unrefined. It’s cold-pressed from organic seeds of the Nigella sativa plant grown in Turkey. Moreover, the manufacturer has gone to the trouble of getting it certified Kosher and Halal, too.
You might also be glad to know it’s hexane-free. No chemicals were used to process it. Plus, it was manufactured in an FDA-registered facility.
When assessed at a laboratory, it was found to have at least 2% thymoquinone and omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids.
Finally, it’s packaged in a dark-colored glass bottle to keep it fresh.
Pros:
- USDA-certified organic, non-GMO
- Also certified Halal and Kosher
- Produced in an FDA-registered facility
- Cold-pressed and hexane-free
- Packaged in dark-colored glass
Cons:
- None
Heritage Store Organic Black Seed Oil
If you plan to take black cumin seed oil internally, the usual dose is one or two tablespoons per day. But if you’re using it as a face moisturizer, the bottle will last much longer because you only need three or four drops.
This amber glass bottle contains USDA organic oil that was cold-press extracted from pesticide-free Nigella sativa plants. It’s been verified for purity and quality in a laboratory. Feel free to use it on the skin and hair to repair damage. It’s especially good for reducing inflammation and lightening hyperpigmentation.
Pros:
- Certified organic
- Cold-pressed
- Laboratory verified for quality and purity
- Packaged in amber glass
Cons:
- None
MAJESTIC PURE Black Seed Oil
Reviewers who have tried black cumin seed oil on their hair as a leave-in conditioner say that it makes it glossy without weighing it down. Some of those who have tried on the scalp found that it seems to stimulate hair growth. Moreover, black seed oil makes a convenient carrier for essential oils like tea tree for treating dandruff and peppermint for increasing hair growth.
If you have trouble with brittle nails, and hangnails or dry cuticles, apply the oil at bedtime. Like any plant oil, it works best on freshly washed, still damp skin.
This oil is sourced from Turkey and packaged with a glass dropper for accurate dosing. It’s cold-pressed and undiluted.
Pros:
- Cold-pressed and undiluted
- Comes with an eyedropper
Cons:
- No indication that it’s certified organic
USDA-Certified Black Seed Carrier Oil by SVA Organics
Although we often recommend skincare products made in the USA, we have great respect for black cumin seed oil brands overseas that have gone the extra mile. This one from Madhya Pradesh in India has all the crucial certifications. Its products are certified organic and non-GMO. They are Kosher and produced in a GMP-certified and ISO-certified facility. Of course, the oil is cold-press extracted and hexane-free. As the brand says, “it is the closest one can get from Mother Nature”.
A reviewer describes the golden-colored oil is having a slight peppery scent. However, the aroma disappears soon after massaging it into the skin. It’s also easy to disguise with other essential oils.
It’s packaged in an amber glass bottle with a tamperproof seal. But should you find yourself dissatisfied with the product, the brand also offers a satisfaction guarantee with the promise of either a replacement or refund.
Pros:
- Certified organic and non-GMO, Kosher
- Produced in a ISO-certified and GMP-certified facility
- Packaged in amber glass with a tamperproof lid
Cons:
- None
Triquetra Black Seed Oil TQ Advanced – 5% Thymoquinone
Which brand of black seed oil has the highest thymoquinone? Triquetra contains 5%, a significantly higher amount than other black seed oil brands.
It comes from Nigella sativa grown in India, similar to many other brands. So what makes this oil different?
The explanation is that the oil starts with a 15 to 1 concentration so that every 2 g of oil is cold-pressed from 30 g of seed. The oil is kept in its unrefined, most raw state so that it’s fully bioactive.
Obviously, this is a vegan product. But there’s another reason why it stands out. The brand uses a third-party laboratory to check it for over 100 contaminants. It’s verified to be pure and free from fillers, diluents, preservatives, and so forth.
Last of all, it’s manufactured in a GMP-managed facility in the USA and packaged in a glass bottle with a dropper. We throw the term “GMP” around a lot. It simply means Good Manufacturing Practices, a standard that ensures the purity, quality, and safety of a product.
Pros:
- The highest amount of thymoquinone, the potent antioxidant
- Third-party laboratory verified to be free of over 100 contaminants
- Manufactured in the USA in a GMP-certified facility
- Packaged in a glass bottle with a dropper
Cons:
- None
Black Seed Facial Cream by Madina
If you’d like to tighten your skin or fade acne scars, but you’re leery of using straight oil on your face, why not try this moisturizer? It contains black seed oil as well as shea butter, vitamin E, and aloe.
It’s designed to absorb quickly and even reduce oiliness to keep the skin balanced and hydrated. Users say it restores a healthy glow and helps erase blemishes and clear up minor acne.
What’s the catch? Unfortunately, it also contains parabens and an artificial fragrance. The fragrance is a bit strong at first, and not everyone loves it.
Pros:
- Firms the skin, fades acne scars, controls oiliness, and moisturizes
- Features black seed oil, aloe, shea butter, and vitamin E
- Absorbs more quickly than plain black cumin seed oil
Cons:
- Contains an artificial fragrance
- Has propylparaben as a preservative
The VITALITY ELIXIR by MAHALO Skin Care
This orange-colored oil has an attractive aroma – a hint of floral and earth tones from the natural ingredients. That’s not surprising as it’s handmade in small batches with tamanu, Kukui nut, black cumin, helichrysum, geranium, and frankincense oils.
If you check the full ingredients list, you’ll see lots of little asterisks indicating organic, local, and wild-harvested components. Of course, it comes from Hawaii where eco-luxury is a thing.
What’s more, everything is carefully thought out and vegan. The bergamot oil is bergapten-free to prevent sensitizing the skin to sunburn and the astaxanthin extract comes from algae, not fish.
We have to be honest with you, we couldn’t wait to get our hands on this one. The downside is that it’s very expensive compared to a plain bottle of black cumin seed oil. But the upside is that it’s lavish and lightweight – downright enchanting to massage into the skin. The glass bottle is even carefully wrapped in bamboo to protect it during shipping.
Pros:
- Handmade in small batches in Hawaii
- Crafted from organic, local, wild-harvested, and vegan ingredients
- Luxurious fragrance, leaves the skin feeling pampered
- Has black cumin seed oil as one of the primary ingredients
Cons:
- Expensive compared to plain black seed oil
Conclusion
Enjoy the best that Nature has to offer. Black cumin seed oil is affordable and super easy to use. Apply it undiluted to your skin and hair and watch as it rejuvenates them over time.
We hope our reviews of black seed oil and related products helped you find what you need today. We’d love to hear the good news if it’s working out for you. Feel free to leave us a comment below.
Source:
1. Eid, A. M., et al. (2017). A review on the cosmeceutical and external applications of Nigella sativa.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC5735686/