Library
All Topics
Bienfaits de l'huile de nigelle pour la barbe.

Black seed oil for the beard: what are the benefits?

Black seed oil, or black cumin oil, is a vegetable oil extracted from the seeds of the black cumin plant, native to the Mediterranean region. Its richness in fatty acids makes it a valuable ally for skin care, but also for beard care. Discover all the benefits of black seed oil for the beard.

Summary
Published February 12, 2024, by Pauline, Head of Scientific Communication — 5 min read

What is black seed oil?

The nigella is a herbaceous plant adorned with blue flowers and native to North Africa. Its cultivation dates back to antiquity. Under the reign of Nefertiti, an Egyptian queen who lived around 1300 BC, nigella was considered a universal remedy and referred to as a "blessed seed".

The cold pressing of black cumin seeds yields an oil rich in fatty acids. The black cumin oil also contains thymoquinone, one of its key active ingredients, as well as traces of vitamins A and E. Thanks to these components, this vegetable oil has moisturising, nourishing, soothing and antibacterial properties. Mainly used to nourish and hydrate the skin, the black cumin oil is also an ingredient of choice for beard care.

What are the benefits of black seed oil on the beard?

Just like hair, a beard requires specific care to maintain its uniformity and enhance its appearance. In addition to regular trimming, it is recommended to occasionally apply a beard oil, or more simply a vegetable oil, such as black seed oil. This particular oil indeed provides several benefits to the beard. However, it should be noted that it is always diluted in another vegetable oil, usually at 10%.

  • Softening the beard.

    One of the key benefits of black seed oil for the beard is its soft and enveloping texture, which softens beard hairs. This property stems from its composition rich in unsaturated fatty acids, compounds that form a protective and coating film around the hairs and act as a shield against external aggressions. Black seed oil also enhances the shine of the beard.

  • Alleviating itchiness.

    Wearing a beard can sometimes be synonymous with itching. Whether it's when the hairs are growing or when the beard is long, it can sometimes itch. Regular application of black seed oil can help to soothe this unpleasant phenomenon. This vegetable oil has anti-inflammatory properties derived from its active ingredient, thymoquinone, a molecule capable of reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins 6 and 12 (IL-6 and IL-12) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α).

  • Purify the hair and limit dandruff.

    Beard hair provides a fertile ground for bacterial and fungal proliferations, which can eventually lead to the appearance of dandruff. While the causes of dandruff are still somewhat unclear, some studies suggest that it could be linked to colonisation by Malassezia type fungi. However, the thymoquinone in black seed oil has antifungal properties and works by altering the structure of the fungal cell membranes. This leads to a leakage of essential components from the fungal cells, resulting in their death. Black seed oil thus helps to combat dandruff and cleanse beard hair.

How to use black seed oil to reap its benefits on the beard?

advice below, two to three times a week:

  1. Start by diluting the black seed oil in another vegetable oil, such as castor oil or argan oil, at a rate between 5 and 10%. Therefore, for one spoonful of black seed oil, add 9 to 19 spoonfuls of another vegetable oil.

  2. Next, wash your beard with warm water and a beard shampoo. The treatment will penetrate more easily on clean skin and hair.

  3. Dry your beard using a towel or a hairdryer, then untangle the hairs with a beard brush.

  4. Apply a few drops of your blend of vegetable oils into the palms of your hands and then rub them together to easily apply the oils over the entire beard.

  5. Let it work for 20 minutes or throughout the night.

  6. After this period, wash your beard with warm water and shampoo, then rinse.

  7. Dry it off, then detangle the hairs with a brush. Your beard will thus be more shiny, groomed and nourished.

Sources

  • ANWAR F. & al. A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine (2013).

  • KIM B. & al. Black Cumin ( Nigella sativa L.): A Comprehensive Review on Phytochemistry, Health Benefits, Molecular Pharmacology, and Safety. Nutrients (2021).

Diagnostic

Understand your skin
and its complex needs.