Black cumin seed oil to care for dry skin?

Nigella sativa oil: effective for dry skin?

Tightness, discomfort and roughness are signs frequently observed in dry skin. Vegetable oils are often cited as helping to mitigate these manifestations. But what of nigella oil? Is it recommended for skin dryness? Let us find out together.

Published on January 22, 2026, updated on January 22, 2026, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 7 min of reading

Key points to remember.

The lipid richness of nigella oil gives it a beneficial effect on dry skin, where the skin barrier is compromised and the hydrolipidic film is insufficient.
The fatty acids present in black cumin oil help to nourish the skin and limit transepidermal water loss.
Some clinical studies suggest that nigella oil may be beneficial in contexts of skin dryness associated with inflammation, such as eczema, but these data refer to nigella oil-based formulations, and not pure nigella oil.
To date, nigella oil has primarily been studied as an ingredient in formulated skincare products, rather than being applied in its pure form to the skin.
In the event of severe eczema or dry skin, a dermatological consultation is essential.

4 minutes to understand your skin. Our dermatological diagnostic guides you toward the ideal skincare for your specific needs. Simple, quick, personalized.

Nigella sativa oil, an ally for dry skin?

Extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, the black seed oil has been used since antiquity, both as a food ingredient and for cosmetic purposes. For the skin, its primary benefit derives from its rich lipid composition, notably including linoleic and oleic acids, known for their nourishing properties, and the presence of unsaponifiable compounds such as thymoquinone, which exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Nigella oil thus appears to be an interesting botanical ingredient for caring for dry skin.

As a reminder, dry skin is characterised by an insufficient hydrolipidic film and an impaired barrier function. This weakening is notably linked to a reduction in epidermal lipids, particularly ceramides, as well as a decrease in natural moisturising factors (NMF), essential for maintaining water in the stratum corneum. Thanks to their chemical structure resembling that of stratum corneum lipids, the fatty acids present in the nigella oil contribute to the restoration of the intercellular lipid cement. By integrating into the lipid structures of the stratum corneum, they help limit insensible water loss and improve the comfort of dry skin.

Furthermore, oleic acid, constituting nearly 25% of nigella oil, contributes to the composition of the hydrolipidic film of the skin. Topical application of nigella oil enables the reinforcement of this protective barrier of mixed aqueous and lipid phases, which is often fragile in dry skin.

By supporting the skin barrier and compensating for the lipid deficits characteristic of dry skin, black seed oil provides enhanced comfort.

Beyond mere skin dryness, some evidence also suggests a potential benefit of Nigella oil in pathological dry skin conditions, such as eczema. This chronic inflammatory condition is indeed accompanied by a marked impairment of the skin barrier, a deficit in epidermal lipids and increased water loss, accounting for the close relationship between eczema and skin dryness. A double-blind, controlled clinical study thus examined the effect of a topical preparation containing 2% Nigella sativa to target the hand eczema, a common form of eczema. Sixty patients were divided into three groups receiving either a nigella-based ointment, a betamethasone-based ointment, a corticosteroid as the reference, or a "classic" emollient, applied twice daily for four weeks. The assessment was based on two primary criteria: the severity of eczema, measured by the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI), and the impact on quality of life, assessed by the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

The results demonstrated a more rapid and pronounced improvement in eczema in the groups receiving nigella and betamethasone, compared with the emollient group.

Évolution des scores HECSI et DLQI dans les groupes "émollient classique", "huile de nigelle" et "bétaméthasone". — Changes in HECSI and DLQI scores in the "standard emollient", "nigella oil" and "betamethasone" groups.
Source: HEJAZI S. & al. Comparison of therapeutic effect of topical Nigella with betamethasone and Eucerin in hand eczema. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology & Venereology (2012).

The HECSI and DLQI scores decreased significantly in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between them. The nigella oil–based preparation thus demonstrated efficacy comparable to that of a topical corticosteroid on hand eczema severity and on patients’ quality of life, with no adverse effects reported. However, these results should be interpreted with caution. This was a short‐term study with a limited sample size assessing a nigella‐based formulation rather than pure nigella oil. Moreover, in clinical studies, nigella is generally incorporated into an occlusive formulation, allowing better water retention in the stratum corneum and a synergy of active compounds—conditions that are not necessarily met with pure vegetable oil.

Note : In the event of eczema or persistent symptoms, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist to obtain an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

In summary, nigella seed oil appears promising for moisturising dry skin. However, in clinical studies, these effects have mainly been observed when it was incorporated into cosmetic formulations, rather than used on its own.