Black Seed Oil
What is black seed?
Black seed, also called black cumin or nigella, comes from Nigella sativa, a small flowering plant grown across South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. Its tiny black seeds have been used in traditional herbal skin and wellness preparations for centuries. Pressed, they give a dark golden oil with a warm, peppery scent.
What is in it
| Compound | What it is |
|---|---|
| Thymoquinone | The compound black seed is best known for, studied for its antioxidant and calming activity |
| Linoleic acid | An omega-6 fatty acid that makes up around half of the oil |
| Oleic acid and natural antioxidants | Softening fatty acids and plant compounds that help protect the oil itself |
Why we chose it for breakout-prone skin
Night Repair Elixir is made for skin that is oily, reactive and prone to breakouts. Black seed oil earns its place for two reasons.
- It is rich in linoleic acid. Research has found that the oil on breakout-prone skin tends to be low in linoleic acid. A face oil rich in it helps skin feel balanced rather than heavy.
- It is one of the most studied botanicals for blemish-prone skin. Thymoquinone has been researched for its calming and antioxidant activity, which is why we use it to help soothe the look of redness overnight.
What does the research show?
In a randomised, double-blind trial published in Phytotherapy Research in 2020, 60 people with acne applied either a gel made with Nigella sativa or a placebo gel twice a day for 60 days. The black seed group saw significantly greater improvement in visible blemishes than the placebo group.
That study used a gel made for research, not a face oil, so its results cannot simply be applied to any product that contains black seed oil. We think of black seed as a well-studied botanical with encouraging evidence, not a treatment.
How we use it
Black seed oil is one of the key botanicals in Night Repair Elixir, our night face oil for breakout-prone skin, alongside tamanu, hemp seed and rosehip. It contains no water and no synthetic fragrance.
Press a few drops into clean skin each evening as your last step.
Frequently asked questions
Is black seed the same as cumin or black sesame?
No. Black seed, black cumin and nigella all refer to Nigella sativa. It is not related to the cumin used in cooking or to black sesame, even though the seeds look similar.
Will black seed oil make oily skin oilier?
Black seed oil is rich in linoleic acid, a lighter fatty acid that suits oily and combination skin. Everyone's skin is different, so start with fewer drops and build up.
Can I use it with my acne treatments?
Yes. Apply water-based serums and spot treatments first, then press in Night Repair Elixir as your last step. If you use a prescription treatment, check with your dermatologist before combining.
Should I patch test first?
Yes. Any plant oil can cause a reaction. Apply a drop along your jawline and wait 24 hours before your first full use.
Which Sapphire Botanics product contains black seed oil?
Night Repair Elixir, our night face oil. It is also included in the Discovery Set and Power Couple.
Sources
- Soleymani S, et al. The effect of a hydrogel made by Nigella sativa L. on acne vulgaris: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2020.
- Downing DT, et al. Essential fatty acids and acne. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 1986;14(2):221-225.