A few drops of black, fragrant oil massaged onto a pimple, an eczema patch or a spot: black seed oil is among the most shared skin remedies. Studies give it some credibility. In a randomized, double-blind trial conducted in 60 people with acne, a black seed hydrogel applied twice daily for 60 days reduced the severity score by 78% on average, compared to 3.3% with placebo gel.
This guide compiles what studies identified via PubMed show: trials conducted on acne, hand eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, vitiligo, spots and scarring, with the preparation used, duration and size of each trial. It also reviews published contact allergies, sometimes severe, then details how to test the oil on the face and when to consult a doctor.
What the trials show : a 2022 review identified 14 clinical studies on black seed and skin, with mostly favorable results, but small trials, half conducted in Iran, and rarely standardized preparations. In acne, a black seed hydrogel reduced the severity score by 78% in 60 days; in hand eczema, no significant difference was detected between black seed ointment and a dermocorticoid over 4 weeks, in a small trial with many dropouts; in vitiligo, two small studies report partial repigmentation in 6 months. For atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and spots, data come mainly from animal or cell studies.
What you need to know before applying : allergic contact dermatitis to black seed oil has been published since 1997, including severe forms with skin separation and fever; thymoquinone is implicated. A tolerance test lasting a few days on a small area, immediate discontinuation if redness occurs, and medical advice for any extensive skin condition remain the basic rules.
- What black seed oil contains
- Black seed and skin: overview of studies
- Acne: an encouraging randomized trial
- Hand eczema: versus a dermocorticoid
- Atopic dermatitis: mainly animal data
- Psoriasis: few human trials
- Vitiligo and pigmented spots
- Wound healing and irritated skin
- Taking black seed orally for skin
- Contact allergies: published cases
- Using black seed oil on the face
- When to consult a dermatologist
- Frequently asked questions
What black seed oil contains
Black seed oil is extracted from the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant from the buttercup family cultivated from southern Europe to Asia. It consists mainly of fatty acids, mostly unsaturated, including linoleic acid, oleic acid and palmitic acid, and a small volatile fraction rich in thymoquinone, the most studied compound in the seed. The authors of a 2022 review on nigella and skin also cite thymol, carvacrol, p-cymene and other terpenes, to which they attribute part of the observed effects, in addition to thymoquinone. Our article on thymoquinone details what is known about this compound.
The key point, for reading studies, is variability. A German team measured thymoquinone in 6 bottled oils and 5 capsule products: the content ranged from 3.08 to 809.4 mg per 100 g, a difference of about 1 to 263. The same 2022 review notes that none of the clinical trials on skin specified the content of active compounds in the preparation tested. In practice, two black seed oils are not necessarily similar, and the result of a trial does not automatically transfer from one preparation to another.
According to a review on vegetable oils, linoleic acid contributes to skin barrier integrity, while oleic acid applied repeatedly tends to weaken it: olive oil increased water loss through the skin in adults. Another review judges oils rich in linoleic acid more favorable for barrier repair, based mainly on cellular and animal data. None measures this effect on the barrier for black seed oil in humans.
According to the first review, several vegetable oils tested, such as almond, jojoba or avocado oils, remain essentially on the skin's surface, where they form a film that limits water loss. For our black seed oil, the product sheet indicates a composition of 97.3% lipids, of which approximately 58 g of polyunsaturated fatty acids, 26 g monounsaturated and 15 g saturated per 100 g. The complete guide to black seed oil presents all of its studied uses, beyond skin.
Black seed and skin: the overall view of studies
The most comprehensive synthesis to date is a systematic review with meta-analysis published in 2022 by an Iranian team. Of 300 articles examined, 14 clinical studies were retained, covering atopic dermatitis, eczema, acne, psoriasis, vitiligo, warts, arsenical keratosis and skin infections. Half were conducted in Iran, the others in Iraq, Germany, Czech Republic, Turkey, India and Bangladesh. Oil was used in 12 of the 14 studies, a crude extract in the other two, applied topically most often.
From the 4 trials combined in the meta-analysis, the chances of improvement were multiplied by 4.59 with nigella compared to the control group (95% confidence interval 2.02 to 10.39). The result depended heavily on a single trial, and the authors call for caution: few studies, variable quality, heterogeneity noted by the authors and no standardization of preparations.
Nasiri N, Ilaghi Nezhad M, Sharififar F, et al. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2022;2022:7993579. DOI: 10.1155/2022/7993579
The same review reports the adverse effects noted: transient digestive disorders in one study, gastric irritation, with abdominal cramps and indigestion, in 62% of treated participants in another, and local skin effects in 5 patients out of 75, or 6.7%, in a topical application trial.
A large part of the literature is based on animal or cellular models, which shed light on mechanisms without proving an effect in humans. The table classifies the data by level of evidence.
| Indication | What was studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Acne | 1 randomized double-blind trial, 60 patients, standardized hydrogel, 60 days | Encouraging, to be confirmed |
| Hand eczema | 1 randomized trial, 60 patients, ointment compared to a dermocorticoid, 4 weeks | Encouraging, significant loss to follow-up |
| Vitiligo | 1 randomized trial of 52 patients against fish oil, 1 study without control group, 6 months | Limited |
| Atopic dermatitis | Oil capsules in allergy studies, mice for topical application | Very limited in humans |
| Psoriasis | 1 series of 12 cases with a combined preparation, murine models | Very limited in humans |
| Spots, melasma | No human trial identified; lizard cells | Absent in humans |
| Wounds, radiodermatitis | 2 randomized trials, an extract gel and a gelled emulsion of nigella | Encouraging, specific preparations |
Acne: an encouraging randomized trial
The most rigorous trial on acne was conducted in Iran, at the initiative of a Persian traditional medicine team, whose ancient texts cite nigella against pimples. It did not focus on oil alone, but on a hydrogel prepared from nigella and standardized in thymoquinone, compared to the same gel without nigella.
In 60 patients with acne, the nigella hydrogel applied twice daily for 60 days reduced the overall severity score by an average of 78%, compared to 3.3% with placebo gel. Comedones, papules, and pustules decreased significantly, the acne impact index on daily life decreased by 63.49%, compared to 4.5%, and no adverse effects were reported.
Soleymani S, Zargaran A, Farzaei MH, et al. Phytother Res 2020;34(11):3052-3062. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6739
The result is clear, but it is based on a single trial, in a single country, with a specific gel: nothing allows the same effect to be attributed to a few drops of oil alone.
The other data are more fragile. In India, 40 women applied for one month a traditional paste combining nigella seeds, ammonium chloride, a mineral, and vinegar, while following a calorie-restricted diet: sensitivity, itching, and irritation decreased by 82.6%, 80.9%, and 66.6%. Without a control group and with multiple ingredients, it is impossible to isolate the contribution of nigella. In the laboratory, gels based on seed extract, up to 15%, inhibited bacteria involved in acne, without this predicting an effect on the skin.
Management recommendations published in 2024 by a group of American dermatologists, based on a systematic review, strongly recommend benzoyl peroxide, topical retinoids, topical antibiotics and oral doxycycline, and isotretinoin for severe, scarring, or resistant acne. Azelaic acid, salicylic acid, certain oral contraceptives, and spironolactone are subject to conditional recommendations. Our article on supplements for acne reviews the studied nutrients.
Hand eczema: facing a dermocorticoid
Hand eczema, common in people exposed to water, detergents, or gloves, is classically treated with dermocorticoids and emollients. A Tehran team compared three ointments in adults aged 18 to 60 years: a nigella-based ointment, a potent dermocorticoid, betamethasone, and an emollient base without active ingredient.
In 60 patients divided into three groups of 20, with two applications per day for 4 weeks, nigella and betamethasone improved eczema severity and quality of life more rapidly than the emollient base. No significant difference was detected between nigella and betamethasone. Only 19 patients from the nigella group, 15 from the betamethasone group, and 18 from the emollient base group presented for at least one follow-up visit.
Yousefi M, Barikbin B, Kamalinejad M, et al. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2013;27(12):1498-1504. DOI: 10.1111/jdv.12033
This result is often summarized as "as effective as cortisone." The formula goes beyond the trial: the absence of significant difference, in a group of around twenty patients per group with many dropouts, does not demonstrate equivalent efficacy.
The preparation tested was an ointment, not the oil alone. And hand eczema can have a contact allergic cause: applying a new natural product to inflamed skin multiplies opportunities for sensitization. In case of persistent eczema, patch tests with a dermatologist search for the causative allergen.
Atopic dermatitis: mainly animal data
Atopic dermatitis, or atopic eczema, combines a fragile skin barrier with chronic inflammation. Black seed oil is widely used for it: in a survey of 102 patients followed for allergic disease in Jeddah, 60% used plants, black seed oil leading with 19.6% of patients, and atopic dermatitis accounted for 19.6% of primary diagnoses.
Human data nevertheless remain limited. No randomized trial of black seed oil applied alone to atopic dermatitis was identified in PubMed for this guide. Available trials concern oral intake of capsules, detailed below, or hand eczema. In mice, thymoquinone, given orally or applied to the skin, reduced the thickness of atopic-type lesions, IgE levels, and several inflammation messengers, in a study that also compared tacrolimus. These results on an animal model justify clinical trials, they do not replace them.
According to a review on vegetable oils, an altered skin barrier promotes sensitization to substances that cross it. Natural ingredients, such as propolis, are among emerging cosmetic allergens according to a 2025 review. Black seed oil, of which thymoquinone is an identified allergen, is no exception: on extensive atopic eczema or in children, seek medical advice before applying it.
For adults, management recommendations published in 2023 strongly recommend moisturizers, topical corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and two other classes of prescription topical treatments. They conditionally advise against local antiseptics and antimicrobials. Daily application of emollient remains the foundation: it supports the skin barrier, and the dermatologist adjusts flare treatment.
Psoriasis: few trials in humans
For psoriasis, the main human data is a case series. Twelve adults aged 21 to 86 years, with moderate to severe psoriasis resistant to treatments, applied twice daily for 12 weeks a preparation combining black seed extract, olive oil, tea tree oil, cocoa butter, and vitamins A and B12. Ten of them, or 83%, saw their severity score drop by more than 75%.
Caution however: 12 patients, no control group, six ingredients. Impossible to say what is attributable to black seed oil, tea tree oil, or the hydrating effect of the whole.
The rest of the data comes from the laboratory. A 2024 review devoted to thymoquinone formulations in nanoparticle form describes, in mice, a decrease in inflammation, redness, scales, and skin thickness; it emphasizes that clinical trials are still rare. These formulations aim to circumvent the poor solubility and low bioavailability of thymoquinone: an oil applied as-is does not necessarily deliver the same amounts.
Vitiligo and pigment spots
Vitiligo, an autoimmune disease that destroys the skin's pigment cells, is one of the most widespread uses of black seed oil. In an online survey of 625 people with vitiligo in the United States, 203 had tried complementary medicine, and 26.4% of them had applied black seed oil; less than half, 43.3%, had discussed it with their doctor.
In 52 patients with vitiligo, black seed oil applied twice daily to lesions for 6 months reduced the disease extent score from 4.98 to 3.75 on average, compared to 4.98 to 4.62 with fish oil applied the same way. No adverse effects were reported.
Ghorbanibirgani A, Khalili A, Rokhafrooz D. Iran Red Crescent Med J 2014;16(6):e4515. DOI: 10.5812/ircmj.4515
In another study, 33 patients applied a cream containing black seed oil twice daily for 6 months to 47 areas of the hands, face, and genital region: statistically significant repigmentation was observed in all three regions, but without a control group, whereas vitiligo can partially repigment on its own. The authors propose black seed as adjunctive treatment, particularly in sensitive areas. A systematic review of 26 studies on supplements and plants in vitiligo cites black seed oil, but classifies other avenues, some combined with phototherapy, among the most promising.
For brown spots and melasma, no human trial of black seed oil was identified in PubMed for this guide. The only data on pigmentation points in the opposite direction: on lizard pigment cells, a black seed extract and thymoquinone caused melanin dispersion, thus darkening, which led the authors to mention an interest in depigmentation disorders. This model is far removed from human skin, but nothing supports presenting black seed oil as a lightening agent.
Wound healing and irritated skin
Two recent trials focus on damaged skin. The first concerns radiotherapy for breast cancer, which often causes radiodermatitis, inflammation of the irradiated skin.
In 62 patients treated with radiotherapy for breast cancer, a gel containing 5% black seed extract, applied twice daily throughout the treatment course, reduced the frequency of radiodermatitis. The onset of grade 2 damage was delayed to 35 days, compared to 29 under placebo, and of weeping to 37 days, compared to 33. Quality of life related to skin did not differ between groups.
Rafati M, Ghasemi A, Saeedi M, et al. Complement Ther Med 2019;47:102205. DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2019.102205
The second, conducted in triple-blind fashion in Tabriz, involved 74 women who had given birth for the first time with an episiotomy. A gelled emulsion of black seed oil, applied three times daily for 7 days, improved the wound healing score (redness, edema, ecchymosis, discharge, wound edge approximation) and reduced pain compared to placebo, with 86.5% of patients satisfied versus 56.7%. The authors call for larger trials. In these two trials, the preparation was a product formulated for this purpose, applied under medical supervision: these situations do not fall within self-medication.
The rest is based on laboratory and animal work. On a keratinocyte culture, thymoquinone accelerated wound closure, 85% versus 50% by day six, and films containing it controlled wound infection in mice. In mice infected with staphylococcus, black seed oil applied twice daily for two days reduced infection and local inflammation. In the laboratory, a thymoquinone-rich extract and thymoquinone alone, active at 4 to 16 µg/mL, inhibited golden staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant strains; several authors of this work belong to a private company. These results do not justify treating an infected wound with oil: a wound that reddens, warms, or oozes requires care from a healthcare provider.
Taking black seed oil orally for skin
Oral intake was studied in allergic diseases, including atopic eczema. A 2003 publication coordinated in Berlin brings together four clinical studies, in 152 patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma, or atopic eczema, including children. Black seed oil was given in capsules, at a rate of 40 to 80 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, or 2.8 to 5.6 g for a 70 kg adult. The symptom score decreased during treatment across all four studies; cortisol, ACTH, and lymphocyte subpopulations did not change, and the primary assessment was based on patient-reported outcomes.
These older data, focused on reported symptoms, do not allow us to conclude that oral intake improves acne or eczema. Regarding tolerability, the 2022 review reports transient digestive disorders and, in one study, gastric irritation in 62% of participants. Our article on black seed oil dangers details possible interactions with anticoagulant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunosuppressant treatments, which warrant medical advice before any regular use.
For those wishing to incorporate black seed into their diet, our Egyptian black seed oil capsules provide 1 g of black seed oil and 15 mg of vitamin E per 2 capsules daily, taken with meals. This is a much lower dose than the 2.8 to 5.6 g used in these studies, and no trial has tested these capsules. They are not recommended for children, adolescents, or pregnant or nursing women. Our organic black seed powder, made from ground seeds, can also be added to cooking.
Contact allergies: published cases
Dermatologists have described allergic contact dermatitis to black seed oil since at least 1997, when the first case was published in Munich following topical application. Others followed: an ointment containing black seed oil in 2002, systemic contact dermatitis to black seed essential oil, presenting as generalized polymorphous erythema, in 2011, local and diffuse reactions after herbal products supposedly containing seeds and black seed oil in 2019. A significant portion of these observations comes from French hospital departments, particularly in Paris, Créteil, and Lyon.
The actual frequency is unknown: these are isolated cases or small series, and no study has measured the reaction rate among users. What stands out is the possible severity of some cases.
Three women, with a median age of 27 years, were hospitalized for severe acute contact dermatitis to black seed oil. The lesions extended beyond the application area and mimicked Stevens-Johnson syndrome or toxic epidermal necrolysis, with more than 15% skin detachment and fever. Patch tests with the patients' oil were all positive; according to the authors, thymoquinone and p-cymene could be the main agents responsible.
Gaudin O, Toukal F, Hua C, et al. JAMA Dermatol 2018;154(9):1062-1065. DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.2120
| Published case | Circumstances | What was observed |
|---|---|---|
| 53-year-old woman, 2012 | Oil applied to skin and ingested for two weeks | Bullous eruption with skin detachment, strongly positive patch test, depigmented patches still present 3 months later |
| 28-year-old woman, 2022 | Oil applied once daily to entire body, including face | Drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS) one week later, corticosteroids, recovery in one month, positive skin test with her oil |
| Three women, 2018 | Local application of oil | More than 15% skin detachment, fever, hospitalization |
| Conjugal contact, 2023 | Repeated contact with cosmetics from the spouse's beard oil | Severe allergic contact dermatitis |
| Five new cases, 2021 | Black seed oil | Tert-butylhydroquinone proposed as a marker of oil sensitivity |
The thymoquinone was identified as the causative allergen by a Parisian team in 2020, with a cross-reaction with tert-butylhydroquinone; the same team subsequently described five new cases, proposing this molecule as a marker of black seed oil sensitivity. The compound most studied for its effects is therefore also the one that sensitizes. In the case of DRESS, the skin test with the patient's oil was positive and remained negative in three control volunteers: an allergy, not merely an irritation.
Stop the oil immediately and seek urgent medical attention if you experience redness extending beyond the application area, blisters or bubbles, target-shaped lesions, skin detachment, fever, or facial swelling. These reactions can appear several days after starting applications, even after an initially well-tolerated use. Subsequently report the oil used to your attending physician.
Using black seed oil on the face
No trial has defined the best way to apply black seed oil alone on the face. The following advice is practical safety guidance, not study results; it is inspired by the repeated application test used by dermatologists to verify the tolerance of a cosmetic.
Our Ethiopian black seed oil is a 100% black seed oil, cold-pressed and unfiltered, in a 100 ml bottle: external use involves a few drops massaged for 2 to 3 minutes then rinsed. It is not recommended for children and pregnant women; during breastfeeding, seek medical advice as a precaution. No studies have tested this oil: the results above concern the preparations from the trials.
When to consult a dermatologist
Effective treatments exist, with, for acne and atopic eczema, recommendations based on systematic reviews. In acne that leaves scars, these recommendations provide for specific treatments. Medical advice is essential particularly in the following situations.
| Situation | Why consult |
|---|---|
| Acne with nodules, cysts, or scars | Isotretinoin is recommended for severe acne, scarring acne, or acne resistant to first-line treatments |
| Acne that persists despite regular care | Benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and antibiotics have the strongest recommendations |
| Extensive, weeping eczema or eczema that disrupts sleep | Dermocorticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors are strongly recommended, along with daily emollients |
| Persistent hand eczema | Patch tests search for a contact allergen |
| Thick, scaly plaques | A diagnosis of psoriasis opens access to treatments of proven efficacy |
| White spots that spread | Medical treatments exist, often combined with phototherapy |
| Reaction after application | Diffuse redness, blisters, fever: emergency, then tests to identify the allergen |
A 100% Ethiopian black seed oil, cold-pressed and unfiltered, in a 100 ml bottle. For external use, a few drops massaged for 2 to 3 minutes then rinsed, after a tolerance test; for internal use, 1 to 3 teaspoons per day, also in cooking.
See Ethiopian black seed oilPrefer a flavorless format? Discover our Egyptian black seed oil capsules, with vitamin E.
Frequently asked questions
Is black seed oil good for the skin?
Several small clinical trials report favorable effects on acne, hand eczema, and vitiligo, and a 2022 review retained 14 clinical studies on the skin, with mostly positive results. These trials are small, conducted half in Iran, with varied and non-standardized preparations. The oil can also cause contact allergies, sometimes severe.
Does black seed oil help with acne?
In a randomized, double-blind trial in 60 patients, a black seed hydrogel standardized for thymoquinone, applied twice daily for 60 days, reduced the severity score by 78%, compared to 3.3% under placebo. This is an encouraging but isolated result, obtained with a gel and not with the oil alone. Standard treatments remain benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and depending on the case, antibiotics.
Can black seed oil be applied to the face?
Yes, with caution: first perform a tolerance test for several days on a small area, in the crook of the elbow or behind the ear. Then, a few drops massaged for 2 to 3 minutes then rinsed are sufficient, avoiding the eye area. Stop at the slightest sign of redness or itching.
Is black seed oil effective against eczema?
In hand eczema, a 60-patient trial over 4 weeks showed faster improvement with a black seed ointment than with an emollient base, with no significant difference from betamethasone, but with considerable loss to follow-up. For atopic eczema, data relies mainly on animal studies. For extensive eczema or in children, seek medical advice.
Can black seed oil cause an allergy?
Yes. Allergic contact dermatitis has been published since 1997, including severe forms with skin peeling and fever in three hospitalized patients, and a hypersensitivity syndrome after application to the entire body. Thymoquinone has been identified as an allergen. The frequency of these reactions is not known.
How to perform a tolerance test with black seed oil?
Apply one drop morning and evening to a small area of healthy skin, in the crook of the elbow or behind the ear, for several days. In the absence of redness, itching, or spots, you can move on to a small area of the face.
Does black seed oil make spots disappear?
No human trials on brown spots or melasma have been identified. On lizard pigment cells, a black seed extract and thymoquinone instead caused darkening. Nothing supports presenting black seed oil as a skin-lightening active ingredient.
Does black seed oil help against psoriasis?
Human data are limited to a series of 12 patients treated for 12 weeks with a preparation combining black seed, tea tree oil, olive oil, and vitamins, without a control group. Other studies focus on mice.
Can black seed oil help in case of vitiligo?
In a randomized trial of 52 patients, black seed oil applied twice daily for 6 months reduced the extent score from 4.98 to 3.75, compared to 4.62 with fish oil. An uncontrolled study also reports repigmentation. The authors propose it as an adjunct to medical treatments, not as a replacement for them.
Should black seed oil be taken orally for the skin?
No trial has shown that oral intake improves acne or eczema. Older studies in allergic patients, some with atopic eczema, used 40 to 80 mg of oil per kilogram per day, with a reduction in reported symptoms. Digestive disorders are possible, and medical advice is necessary when taking medications.
Can black seed oil be applied to a wound or damaged skin?
Two trials tested formulated preparations: a 5% extract gel during breast radiotherapy and an emulsion after episiotomy, with favorable results under medical monitoring. They do not concern the oil alone for self-treatment. On a wound, burn, or infected lesion, seek advice from a healthcare provider.
Sources
The studies cited below were identified via PubMed.
- Soleymani S, Zargaran A, Farzaei MH, et al. Effect of a hydrogel based on Nigella sativa L. on acne vulgaris: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 2020;34(11):3052-3062. DOI
- Nasiri N, Ilaghi Nezhad M, Sharififar F, et al. The therapeutic effects of Nigella sativa on skin diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022;2022:7993579. DOI
- Yousefi M, Barikbin B, Kamalinejad M, et al. Comparison of the therapeutic effect of black seed applied topically with betamethasone and an emollient base in hand eczema. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 2013;27(12):1498-1504. DOI
- Ghorbanibirgani A, Khalili A, Rokhafrooz D. Comparison of Nigella sativa oil and fish oil in the treatment of vitiligo. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 2014;16(6):e4515. DOI
- Sarac G, Kapicioglu Y, Sener S, et al. Efficacy of Nigella sativa applied topically in the treatment of vitiligo. Dermatologic Therapy, 2019;32(4):e12949. DOI
- Steinmann A, Schätzle M, Agathos M, Breit R. Allergic contact dermatitis to black cumin oil (Nigella sativa) after topical use. Contact Dermatitis, 1997;36(5):268-269. DOI
- Kurihara F, Soria A, Lepoittevin JP, et al. Thymoquinone, an allergen involved in contact dermatitis from Nigella sativa oil, with cross-reaction to tert-butylhydroquinone. Contact Dermatitis, 2020;83(2):132-134. DOI
- Gaudin O, Toukal F, Hua C, et al. Association between severe acute contact dermatitis due to Nigella sativa oil and epidermal apoptosis. JAMA Dermatology, 2018;154(9):1062-1065. DOI
- Khaikin E, Chrubasik-Hausmann S, Kaya S, Zimmermann BF. Quantification of thymoquinone in commercial Nigella sativa products to identify a promising and safe study medication. Nutrients, 2022;14(17):3501. DOI
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of select plant oils applied topically. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2017;19(1):70. DOI
- Poljšak N, Kreft S, Kočevar Glavač N. Plant butters and oils in skin wound healing: scientific evidence and new perspectives in dermatology. Phytotherapy Research, 2020;34(2):254-269. DOI
- Sultana S, Zulkifle M, Ansari AH, Shahnawaz. Efficacy of topical application of a Unani formulation in acne vulgaris. Ancient Science of Life, 2015;35(2):124-128. DOI
- Nawarathne NW, Wijesekera K, Wijayaratne WMDGB, Napagoda M. Development of new topical cosmeceutical formulations based on Nigella sativa L. active against acne microorganisms. The Scientific World Journal, 2019;2019:5985207. DOI
- Reynolds RV, Yeung H, Cheng CE, et al. Management recommendations for acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2024;90(5):1006.e1-1006.e30. DOI
- Koshak AE. Frequency of medicinal plant use among patients with chronic allergic diseases in western Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal, 2019;40(4):391-396. DOI
- Aslam H, Shahzad M, Shabbir A, Irshad S. Immunomodulatory effect of thymoquinone on atopic dermatitis. Molecular Immunology, 2018;101:276-283. DOI
- Sukakul T, Svedman C. Contact allergy to cosmetics: What's new for physicians, cosmetologists and users? Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 2025;25(1):48. DOI
- Sidbury R, Alikhan A, Bercovitch L, et al. Guidelines for the management of adult atopic dermatitis with topical treatments. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2023;89(1):e1-e20. DOI
- Michalsen A, Eddin O, Salama A. Case series on the effects of a new composition of a traditional natural preparation in the treatment of psoriasis. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 2016;6(4):395-398. DOI
- Modarresi Chahardehi A, Ojaghi HR, Motedayyen H, Arefnezhad R. Thymoquinone nanoformulations, new approaches in psoriasis treatment: A literature review. Frontiers in Immunology, 2024;15:1416842. DOI
- Poondru S, Yang LJ, Kundu RV. Use of complementary and alternative medicine in vitiligo: A cross-sectional survey. Archives of Dermatological Research, 2024;316(5):126. DOI
- Shakhbazova A, Wu H, Chambers CJ, Sivamani RK. Systematic review of complementary nutritional, supplement-based and plant-based therapies in vitiligo. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2021;27(4):294-311. DOI
- Ali SA, Meitei KV. Extract of Nigella sativa seeds and its active compound, thymoquinone, novel melanogenics causing hyperpigmentation of wall lizard melanophores. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2011;63(5):741-746. DOI
- Rafati M, Ghasemi A, Saeedi M, et al. Nigella sativa L. for the prevention of acute radiodermatitis in breast cancer: A double-blind randomized controlled trial versus placebo. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2019;47:102205. DOI
- Maghalian M, Alizadeh A, Raphi F, et al. Effect of a gel emulsion of Nigella sativa on episiotomy wound healing and pain in nulliparous women: A triple-blind randomized controlled trial. PLoS One, 2025;20(6):e0325112. DOI
- Haq A, Kumar S, Mao Y, et al. Polymer films and hydrogels loaded with thymoquinone for bacterial disinfection and wound healing. Biomedicines, 2020;8(10):386. DOI
- Abu-Al-Basal MA. Influence of fixed oil of Nigella sativa on blood parameters and skin histology in BALB/c mice infected with Staphylococcus. Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences, 2011;14(23):1038-1046. DOI
- Gawron G, Krzyczkowski W, Lemke K, et al. Use of Nigella sativa seed extract in preparations against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and effects on human dermal fibroblast viability. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2019;244:112135. DOI
- Kalus U, Pruss A, Bystron J, et al. Effect of Nigella sativa (black seed) on symptom perception in patients with allergic diseases. Phytotherapy Research, 2003;17(10):1209-1214. DOI
- Zedlitz S, Kaufmann R, Boehncke WH. Allergic contact dermatitis to an ointment containing black cumin oil (Nigella sativa). Contact Dermatitis, 2002;46(3):188. DOI
- Nosbaum A, Ben Said B, Halpern SJ, et al. Systemic allergic contact dermatitis to black cumin essential oil, presenting as generalized erythema multiforme. European Journal of Dermatology, 2011;21(3):447-448. DOI
- Dehavay F, Kolivras A, Scheers C. Local and systemic cutaneous reactions following use of phytotherapy products purported to contain Nigella sativa seeds and oil. Contact Dermatitis, 2019;80(3):176-177. DOI
- Gelot P, Bara-Passot C, Gimenez-Arnau E, et al. Bullous drug eruption from Nigella sativa oil. Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie, 2012;139(4):287-291. DOI
- Fargeas M, Calugareanu A, Ben-Said B. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) following topical use of Nigella sativa oil (black cumin). Contact Dermatitis, 2022;87(2):203-204. DOI
- Assier H, Kouby F, Ingen-Housz-Oro S, Roux C. Severe conjugal allergic contact dermatitis to Nigella sativa seed oil from repeated contact with beard cosmetics. Contact Dermatitis, 2023;88(3):245-246. DOI
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