Dark circles under the eyes signal fatigue and can make one’s gaze appear heavy. Many people seek natural remedies to diminish them, and some have turned to Nigella sativa oil (black seed oil). Can this plant-based oil help reduce dark circles? Read on to learn more.
Is Nigella sativa (black seed) oil effective in treating under-eye dark circles?
Published on January 13, 2026, updated on January 13, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading
Themes:
Can Nigella sativa oil be considered a solution for under-eye dark circles?
Native to the Mediterranean basin, Nigella is an herbaceous plant in the Ranunculaceae family that has been used since antiquity. The nigella oil is obtained by cold-pressing its seeds, a process that preserves the integrity of its bioactive compounds. It is characterized by a composition rich in fatty acids—particularly linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid—as well as by the presence of specific molecules such as nigelline, nigellone, and notably thymoquinone. The latter accounts for much of the scientific interest in the nigella oil, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties well documented.
Despite this, no clinical or preclinical study to date has demonstrated that the black cumin seed oil has any effect on any of the different types of dark circles under the eyes, the characteristics of which are summarized in the table below.
| Type of under-eye dark circles | Appearance | Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular under-eye circles | Bluish to violet coloration, sometimes reddish | Thin, collagen-deficient skin revealing the vascular network, slowed blood circulation, venous congestion |
| Pigmented Dark Circles | Light brown to dark brown shade | Melanin accumulation, melanocyte hyperactivity linked to UV exposure, repeated friction, or chronic inflammation, with darker skin phototypes predisposed |
| Structural rings | Infraorbital hollowing, pronounced under-eye shadow | Loss of suborbital fat volume, bone resorption, and alterations in facial architecture with age, along with decreased collagen and elastin leading to tissue sagging |
The different types of periorbital dark circles.
The only lead that could, at this stage, establish a link between black seed oil and dark circles concerns its potential effects on skin pigmentation, which would tie it solely to pigmented dark circles. Some studies suggest that this plant-based oil may influence pathways involved in melanogenesis, suggesting a possible benefit for hyperpigmentation. However, these data remain heterogeneous and sometimes contradictory, with variable results.
Indeed, some experimental studies, such as the one conducted by SETIYONO and his team, suggest a pro-pigmenting effect of nigella. Performed on murine melanoma cells (B16F10), the SETIYONO study evaluated the impact of a 96% ethanolic extract of seeds of Nigella sativa. After characterization of its composition, the researchers observed that the extract significantly increased tyrosinase activity as well as melanin production in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulation of melanogenesis was notable despite a low thymoquinone content, suggesting a synergistic effect of other phytochemical compounds. These results, obtained in a research context on the vitiligo, therefore, contradict a lightening effect of nigella and instead argue for a pigmenting potential, at least in vitro.
Percentage of the melanin index in B16F10 cells treated with different concentrations of black cumin seed extract (EE BCS).
Source: SETIYONO A. & al. Phytochemical analysis and pro-melanogenic activity of Nigella sativa extract in B16F10 cells: A natural candidate for vitiligo treatment. Pharmacognosy Journal (2025).
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A second study, this time indicating a potential depigmenting effect of Nigella sativa oil, while highlighting significant variability depending on its composition. The authors compared two seed oils from Nigella sativa(N1 and N2) by assessing their phytochemical, physicochemical, and biological properties. The results showed that oil N2 displayed more marked extracellular antimelanogenic activity, as well as superior antioxidant and antibacterial effects, whereas oil N1 was characterized by higher antityrosinase activity. This difference in activity seems closely related to the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, with tannin content being strongly correlated with the observed antimelanogenic effects. These data suggest that certain Nigella sativa oils could theoretically modulate skin pigmentation, but they are based exclusively on experimental models, without clinical validation, and primarily confirm that the biological effects of Nigella sativa oil depend on its phytochemical profile.
In the absence of clear scientific consensus and dedicated clinical studies on the eye‐contour area, it is currently not possible to conclude that black seed oil is effective against pigmentary under-eye circles or any other type of under-eye circles.
Sources
CHARROUF Z. & al. Chemical investigation of Nigella sativa L. seed oil produced in Morocco. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015).
DAANA H. I. & al. A review on the cosmeceutical and external applications of Nigella sativa. Journal of Tropical Medicine (2017).
MAHOMOODALLY M. F. & al. Biological, phytochemical, and physico-chemical properties of two commercial Nigella sativa seed oils: A comparative analysis. Istanbul Journal of Pharmacy (2018).
PEKMEZCI E. & al. Effectiveness of topical Nigella sativa for vitiligo treatment. Dermatologic Therapy (2019).
SHUAIB Y. A. & al. Antioxidant and anti-tyrosinase potentials of extracts of Nigella sativa and Senna alexandrina from Sudan. Journal of Applied Veterinary Sciences (2022).
SETIYONO A. & al. Phytochemical analysis and pro-melanogenic activity of Nigella sativa extract in B16F10 cells: A natural candidate for vitiligo treatment. Pharmacognosy Journal (2025).
