Dark circles betray fatigue and visually weigh down the eye area. Many individuals seek natural solutions to diminish them, and some turn to Nigella sativa oil, commonly known as black seed oil. Could this plant-derived oil help reduce dark circles? Read on to learn more.
Is Nigella sativa (black seed) oil effective against 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 viable solution for dark circles?
Native to the Mediterranean basin, nigella is an herbaceous plant of the family Ranunculaceae that has been used since Antiquity. The nigella seed oil is obtained by cold‐pressing its seeds, a process that preserves the integrity of its bioactive compounds. It is characterised by a rich fatty acid profile—particularly linoleic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acids—and by specific molecules such as nigelline, nigellone and, above all, thymoquinone. The latter accounts for much of the scientific interest in nigella seed oil, owing to its antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties well documented.
Despite this, no clinical or preclinical study to date has demonstrated that black seed oil has any effect on any of the different types of dark circles, the characteristics of which are summarised in the table below.
| Type of under-eye dark circles | Aspect | Causes |
|---|---|---|
| Vascular dark circles | Bluish to violet colouring, sometimes reddish | Thin, collagen-deficient skin revealing the vascular network, reduced blood circulation, venous congestion |
| Pigmented dark circles | Light brown to dark brown hue | Accumulation of melanin, melanocyte hyperactivity linked to UV exposure, repeated friction or chronic inflammation, with darker phototypes predisposed |
| Structural rings | Infraorbital hollowing, pronounced under-eye shadowing | Loss of suborbital fat volume, bone resorption and alterations in facial architecture with age, together with reduced collagen and elastin leading to tissue sagging |
The different types of under-eye dark circles.
he only avenue that might, at this stage, establish a link between black seed oil and dark circles relates to its potential effects on skin pigmentation, which would tie it solely to pigmented dark circles. Indeed, some studies suggest that this plant oil could influence pathways involved in the melanogenesis, hinting at a potential role for hyperpigmentation. However, these data remain heterogeneous and sometimes contradictory, with variable outcomes.
Indeed, certain experimental studies, such as that by Setiyono and colleagues, suggest a pro-pigmenting effect of black cumin. Carried out on murine melanoma cells (B16F10), Setiyono's study assessed the impact of a 96% ethanolic extract of seeds of Nigella sativa. After characterisation 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 constituents. These results, obtained in a research context on the vitiligo, therefore run counter to a lightening effect of black cumin and rather support a potential pigmenting effect, at least in vitro.
Melanin index percentage in B16F10 cells treated with various concentrations of black cumin seed extract (BCS extract).
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, points towards a potential depigmenting effect of nigella seed oil, while emphasising considerable variability depending on its composition. The authors compared two seed oils of Nigella sativa (N1 and N2) by assessing both their phytochemical, physicochemical and biological properties. The results show that oil N2 exhibited a more pronounced extracellular antimelanogenic activity, as well as superior antioxidant and antibacterial activities, whereas oil N1 stood out for a higher antityrosinase activity. This difference in activity appears closely linked to the content of polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins, tannin content being strongly correlated with the observed antimelanogenic effects. These data suggest that certain nigella oils could theoretically modulate skin pigmentation, but they rely exclusively on experimental models, without clinical validation, and above all confirm that the biological effects of nigella oil depend on its phytochemical profile.
In the absence of a clear scientific consensus and dedicated clinical studies on the periorbital area, it is not currently possible to conclude that nigella oil has any proven efficacy against pigmented dark circles, or indeed any type of dark 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).
