What are the benefits of Nigella sativa oil for oily skin?

Nigella sativa oil, an ally for oily skin?

Oily skin is often considered incompatible with plant oils. However, some of these oils actually suit this skin type. What about nigella seed oil? Could it be recommended for oily skin? Let’s explore this together.

Published on January 21, 2026, updated on January 21, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading

Nigella sativa (black seed) oil and oily skin: a good combination?

Oily skin is characterized by excessive sebum production, linked to increased activity of the sebaceous glands. While sebum plays an essential role in protecting the skin, an excess can disrupt its balance and promote the emergence of blemishes and sometimes inflammatory responses. Managing oily skin is quite delicate: it requires regulating sebum synthesis by the sebaceous glands while supporting the barrier function and limiting mechanisms that may sustain inflammation or the oxidation of sebum, which can render it comedogenic.

Thanks to its good skin penetration and low comedogenicity index (1), black seed oil can, in theory, be suitable for facial application, even on oily skin.

One of the primary advantages of black seed oil lies in its anti-inflammatory properties, widely attributed to thymoquinone, a bioactive compound unique to Nigella sativa. Thymoquinone is described in the literature as being able to interact with multiple pathways involved in the inflammatory response, notably by modulating the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. Inflammation plays a central role in many issues associated with oily skin, particularly when sebum accumulates, which can lead to the appearance of inflammatory lesions such as papules or pustules.

The nigella seed oil also offers an antioxidant property, linked to the presence of phenolic compounds and molecules capable of neutralizing reactive oxygen species. This aspect is particularly relevant for oily skin, since sebum exposed to oxidative stress can oxidize more readily. Oxidized sebum tends to be oilier, which can more easily clog skin pores and lead to blemishes. In this sense, the antioxidant properties of nigella seed oil may be beneficial for oily skin.

Several studies have also investigated Nigella sativa oil for the care of acne-prone skin, a condition frequently associated with sebum hypersecretion.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study specifically evaluated the efficacy of a topical formulation based on Nigella sativa in patients with acne. Sixty participants were enrolled and randomized into two groups receiving either a hydrogel containing 1% of Nigella sativa, or the vehicle. They applied one of the two formulations twice daily for 60 days. A significant improvement was observed in the “nigella oil” group compared to the control group, suggesting a potential role for nigella oil in managing acne-prone skin, likely related to its anti-inflammatory properties.

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78%

Reduction in the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score assigned by a dermatologist in the nigella oil group

3.3%

Reduction in the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA) score assigned by a dermatologist in the control group

63.49%

Reduction in the ADI score, as self-reported by patients, in the nigella oil group

4.5%

Reduction in the ADI score, as self-reported by patients, in the control group

It is, however, necessary to place these data in context. On the one hand, the acne is not strictly synonymous with oily skin, although sebum hypersecretion is an important factor. On the other hand, this study focuses on a specific formulation in the form of a standardized hydrogel, rather than on pure Nigella oil.

To date, there are no clinical studies specifically evaluating Nigella sativa (black seed) oil on oily skin independent of acne, nor is there evidence supporting a sebum-regulating effect.

Thus, while its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties can be relevant for supporting the balance of oily skin, black cumin oil cannot be considered an active ingredient targeting sebum production. Furthermore, despite its low comedogenic rating, its undiluted application on the face may prove too rich for combination-to-oily skin types. If you have oily skin and wish to use black cumin oil, we recommend opting for a formulation that contains it.