Nigella sativa oil, also known as black cumin seed oil, is obtained by extracting the seeds of this plant. Beyond its dietary role, it is rich in bioactive compounds that benefit the skin, and some even use it to enhance their tan. But is this application truly relevant? Let’s explore this together.
Tanning: can black seed oil enhance skin appearance?
Summary
Published on January 12, 2026, updated on January 12, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 6 min of reading
Themes:
Applying Nigella sativa (black seed) oil before sun exposure: good or bad idea?
The nigella, also known as Nigella sativa or black cumin, is an annual plant native to Southwestern Asia, also present in the Mediterranean basin and North Africa. Cultivated for millennia, it is best known for its black seeds, from which nigella oil is extracted. The vegetable nigella oil is traditionally used for its cosmetic properties, notably soothing and antioxidant, and occupies a special place in the history of skin care. In ancient Egypt, it was already highly prized, at times even called the pharaohs’ oil, symbolizing a noble ingredient used to enhance the skin and preserve its comfort.
It is possible to apply nigella sativa oil before spending a day in the sun.
This may even be relevant due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of this vegetable oil. One of the main bioactive compounds in the black seed oil, thymoquinone (TQ), is recognized for its protective role against UV-induced oxidative stress. A study on human keratinocytes exposed to UVA radiation showed that irradiation led to a substantial accumulation of reactive oxygen species, responsible for cellular damage and increased apoptosis. Pretreatment of the cells with thymoquinone significantly mitigated this UVA-induced cytotoxicity.
Effects of thymoquinone on the cell viability of human keratinocytes exposed to UVA radiation.
Source: LI L. & al. Thymoquinone, extract from Nigella sativa seeds, protects human skin keratinocytes against UVA-irradiated oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Molecular Immunology (2021).
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Mechanistically, the authors observed that thymoquinone reduced both the oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in irradiated keratinocytes. UVA exposure disrupted mitochondrial function, promoting the activation of apoptotic pathways—a phenomenon that was markedly attenuated in the presence of thymoquinone. This cellular protection appears to involve the activation of the NrF2/ARE signaling pathway, an antioxidant defense system in the skin, along with inhibition of COX-2 expression, an enzyme involved in UV-induced skin inflammation.
The various photoprotective mechanisms of Nigella sativa seed oil.
Source: GUNADI J. W. & al. Role of Nigella sativa L. seed (black cumin) in preventing photoaging (review). Biomedical Reports (2025).
These results suggest that thymoquinone, and potentially by extension black seed oil, which is a natural source of it, could contribute to strengthening the skin’s defense mechanisms against solar exposure. It should be noted, however, that these data are derived from cellular models, which allow for a better understanding of biological mechanisms but do not by themselves guarantee clinical efficacy in humans.
The Nigella sativa oil can be regarded as a complementary treatment before sun exposure, to support the skin’s antioxidant response, but it cannot substitute for appropriate sun protection.
Indeed, one can take as evidence the study conducted by MARTINIAKOVA and her team in 2021 that aimed to evaluate the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of various vegetable oils, including that derived from black cumin. The values obtained were 0.072 (test in vitro) and 2.7 (test in vivo), well below the SPF 15, considered the minimum to achieve moderate sun protection.
Can Nigella sativa oil enhance tanning?
After sun exposure, black seed oil can be particularly valuable for supporting the skin during its recovery phase. Rich in fatty acids, especially linoleic acid, it helps strengthen the skin barrier and limit insensible water loss, thereby promoting better skin hydration as well as a tan lasting longer over time. The thymoquinone in black seed oil is also recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, which can help soothe sensations of warmth, discomfort, or tightness commonly experienced after a sun exposure.
Beyond its biological effects, black seed oil can also enhance tanning from a purely aesthetic standpoint.
Applied in a thin layer, it provides a luminous, satin finish to the skin, naturally enhancing the glow of a tan. This golden-skin visual effect relies more on light reflection and the skin’s nourished appearance than on actual pigmentation. Black seed oil does not deepen a tan, but it can enhance an existing one while caring for the skin after sun exposure.
Note: If the relatively oily texture of black seed oil doesn’t suit you, numerous after-sun formulations are available on the cosmetics market.
Sources
CHARROUF Z. & al. Chemical investigation of Nigella sativa L. seed oil produced in Morocco. Journal of the Saudi Society of Agricultural Sciences (2015).
LI L. & al. Thymoquinone, extract from Nigella sativa seeds, protects human skin keratinocytes against UVA-irradiated oxidative stress, inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Molecular Immunology (2021).
GUNADI J. W. & al. Role of Nigella sativa L. seed (black cumin) in preventing photoaging (review). Biomedical Reports (2025).
