I often get emails from readers, asking me whether various latest must-have skincare ingredients will help clear their acne. Recently, I’ve had a few emails asking: does black seed oil help acne?
While I’m always happy to give advice, I always make it clear that the best way to achieve clear skin is by making fundamental dietary and lifestyle changes – and sticking to them. As I explain in my book Unmasking Acne, clearing your skin through diet takes patience and willpower, and you’re not going to see overnight results. When it comes to skin, especially acne-prone skin, there are no quick fixes.
However, with a holistic diet and lifestyle changes, you’ll gradually clear your skin and keep breakouts at bay in the long term – to date, my method has helped over 800 people combat their acne and finally feel good in their own skin.
Nonetheless, performing an effective skincare routine alongside these lifestyle changes can certainly be beneficial to the skin, especially when you incorporate natural oils (like black seed oil) and skin-boosting acids into your routine.
So, does black seed oil help acne, and should you be adding it to your skincare routine? In this article, I’m going to break down the benefits of black seed oil, explain the ideal use cases for using black seed oil to treat acne, and answer some of the most common questions about using this oil: for example, is black seed oil good for acne scars?
Does Black Seed Oil Help Acne?
Firstly, if you have acne, you’ll probably be hesitant about putting any oil-based product on your skin. However, did you know that oils can often actually be better than creams when it comes to keeping acne-prone skin supple and hydrated? Oils can be used in their pure form, without extra ingredients (often comedogenic ingredients) having been added to the product which will end up clogging your pores. Oils are concentrated versions of the nutrients that you might find in a face cream, and they do the same job without weighing your skin down with excess product.
Black seed oil has numerous benefits for the skin, and while it’s not a miracle product (they don’t exist!) it can certainly help clear your skin and give you a fresh, healthy glow when used correctly.
Benefits of Black Seed Oil:
- Black Seed Oil Prevents Excess Oil Production
Black seed oil is ideal for acne-prone skin, as it contains fatty acids that help get rid of excess oil and keep the surface of the skin clear. The fatty acids in black seed oil help to dissolve and destroy deposits of fat in your pores, preventing them from becoming clogged and eventually forming pimples.
- Black Seed Oil Reduces Acne Scars
Does black seed oil reduce acne scars? While it’s not a miracle overnight product, black seed oil contains certain amino acids and fatty acids which can help improve the appearance of visible acne scars and dark spots on the skin. The Vitamin A in black cumin seed oil will also help to keep your skin free from inflammation, which can trigger breakouts and make your acne scars appear more pronounced.
- Black Seed Oil is Packed With Amino Acids
Black seed oil is nutrient-packed for your skin, containing fifteen amino acids, nine of which are essential amino acids. Black seed oil also contains omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids, folic acid, calcium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B1, B2, and B3. Calcium especially helps acne-prone skin, as it produces sebum and prevents the skin’s barrier from becoming dehydrated and overproducing oil. Black seed oil is a nutrient cocktail for your skin – but it’s important to use this oil correctly if you want it to help your acne.
How To Use Black Cumin Seed Oil For Acne
In order to get the full benefit of black seed oil, you’ll need to apply it correctly according to your needs and use it frequently enough if you want to see a real impact on the skin. You’ll first need to decide whether you want to take this oil as a liquid supplement or simply apply it directly to the face as you would apply any other serum. In my view, it’s better to apply black seed oil to the face in order to access its full spectrum of skincare benefits – however, it all depends on your personal preference.
Here’s How I Would Recommend Using Black Seed Oil For Acne-Prone Skin:
Apply Black Seed Oil Directly To The Skin
First of all, the most obvious question – can you rub black cumin seed on your face? Yes – you can apply black cumin seed oil to your face using (clean) fingertips. I would advise applying black seed oil just after cleansing and following up with an acne-friendly moisturizer or hydrating oil.
Take a Black Seed Oil Vitamin Supplement
If you dislike oils on your face, you do have the option of taking black seed oil orally, typically a small spoonful of around 1-2g per day. Taking black seed oil in liquid form can even procure other extra benefits for your wellbeing, such as decreased stress and increased cognitive ability. However, you might notice that the benefits for your skin are less potent.
Buy a Black Seed Oil Skincare Product
If you don’t want to apply black seed oil to your face directly, you can always buy a skincare product that uses black seed oil as an active ingredient. However, there are a number of things to be careful about before buying a skincare product. Always check the label for acne-inflammatory ingredients, and steer clear of any products that you think might inflame your skin and trigger a breakout. Certain anti-acne skincare products will boast about their anti-acne properties while selling you a product full of comedogenic, pore-clogging ingredients. My advice would always be to find black seed oil in its pure form, rather than paying more for an expensive, brand-labeled skincare product.
My Verdict: Does Black Seed Oil Help Acne?
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know by now that I swear by a holistic diet and lifestyle changes when it comes to getting rid of acne. However, black seed oil does appear to be an effective alternative to various skin care products available on the market. We all know that keeping your skin hydrated and nourished is an essential part of any anti-acne routine; the problem is that so many manufactured moisturizers end up clogging our pores. Oils have proven to be a great alternative for many acne sufferers, so I do recommend trying out black seed oil – I certainly prefer recommending a natural oil to any harsh, artificial product that you might find on the high street.
Nonetheless, no matter what your skincare routine may be, you must also adapt your diet and lifestyle if you truly want to be free of acne. I’ve helped many acne sufferers who have tried all sorts of “miracle” oils, creams and face masks – trust me that nothing works better than treating your acne from the inside out.
Black seed oil is perfectly safe to use, whether you apply it to your skin directly or take it as a vitamin supplement. However, always consult your physician before taking any new supplement, especially if you have any allergies or underlying health conditions.
Yes! Black seed oil is safe to put on both the skin and hair. It is often used to treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
