Natural plant oils are among the best treatments to consider when you have stretch marks. Black seed oil is no exception ! Discover all the benefits of this spicy oil and, above all, why it is truly valuable for preventing and improving the appearance of stretch marks.
What is black seed oil ?
Nigella (nigella sativa), or black cumin, is a plant that grows in warm regions. Its seeds are commonly used as a spice and natural remedy, and are nicknamed “pepper spice”. They are often found in Middle Eastern cuisine : sprinkled over bread and pastries, but also used in cheeses, soups and desserts. Their strong, sharp and peppery flavor is appealing. But nigella seeds are also part of traditional Eastern pharmacopoeia :
- Ayurvedic medicine uses nigella seed powder to relieve everyday minor ailments.
- In Egypt in particular, the seeds are pressed into oil to treat skin concerns.
Black seed oil is therefore extracted by pressing the plant’s seeds. Its color varies from yellow-green to amber (depending on the plants and the seeds’ level of maturity). Its texture is rather rich and its very distinctive scent can be described as spicy.
What are the benefits of black seed oil ?
1 -Composition
The composition of black seed oil is quite unique because, in addition to fatty acids, it is rich in many other active compounds. So :
- Black seed oil contains essential fatty acids omega-6 (linoleic acid, around 55%), omega-9 (oleic acid, around 25%) and saturated fatty acids (around 10% palmitic acid).
- It also contains vitamins such as tocopherol (vitamin E) and provitamin A.
- Another notable feature : it is rich in nigelline and nigellone, two alkaloids specific to it, as well as terpenes (thymoquinone and para-cymene).
- Lastly, black seed oil is rich in certain minerals, such as iron and phosphorus.
2- Benefits
As you might expect : a unique composition also means unique beauty and wellness properties !
Skin
First of all, black seed oil is especially recommended for skin care. Linoleic acid helps rebuild the hydrolipidic film and also supports proper cellular cohesion in the dermis and epidermis. In fact, it is part of ceramides, which in turn strengthen cell membranes. As a result, black seed oil restores suppleness and elasticity to dry skin while helping regenerate damaged skin. Oleic acid helps support healing, while palmitic acid helps strengthen the skin barrier (the skin’s acid mantle). It therefore seems that black seed oil is highly recommended for stretch marks, as a preventive or corrective treatment.
But that’s not all ! Thanks to the vitamins and terpenes it contains, black seed oil is also an excellent anti-aging treatment. The antioxidant action of the tocopherol, carotenoids and thymoquinone it contains helps limit damage caused by free radicals. It is also particularly suitable as an after-sun treatment, for both the face and body, and also to restore tired skin (after exposure to pollution, for example).
Lastly, because black seed oil has anti-inflammatory qualities (vitamin E, provitamin A), it can also be considered for acne care. Yes, some oils (jojoba, hazelnut… and nigella !) are beneficial for oily and/or blemish-prone skin.
Hair
If black seed oil is beneficial for the skin, it is just as beneficial for the hair ! It helps revitalize and tone dull, dry, brittle and/or suffocated hair. It is therefore recommended for application to lengths and ends. And if you suffer from irritation or flaking on the scalp, you can absolutely consider regular massages with black seed oil, which will soothe even the most damaged scalps.
Immune system
Black seed oil is an immune system booster :
- It is anti-inflammatory and therefore helps neutralize the oxidative action associated with external aggressors.
- The nigellone it contains has bronchodilating and antihistamine properties. It can therefore be applied as a massage or poultice to the chest in case of a cold or respiratory allergy.
- Rich in iron, it promotes cellular oxygenation.
Can black seed oil be used on stretch marks ?
Absolutely ! Black seed oil can be applied preventively to healthy skin without stretch marks. And if fine lines have unfortunately appeared on your thighs, buttocks, hips or chest, regular massages with black seed oil should help calm inflammation (early stretch marks) and restore suppleness and density to your skin (mature stretch marks). Please note that using it for massage during pregnancy is recommended only from the second trimester onward (deep absorption).
You can apply it neat if you don’t mind rich oils. Otherwise, you can always combine it with a lighter, dry-touch oil such as macadamia oil, jojoba oil or possibly hemp seed oil. Finally (and if you are not pregnant), black seed oil makes a good carrier for essential oils. For example, to calm the inflammation associated with colored stretch marks (red, purple), you can add a few drops of the following essential oils to your black seed oil :
- Juniper essential oil and/or St. John’s wort essential oil (anti-inflammatory action)
- Fine lavender essential oil and/or Italian helichrysum essential oil (healing action)
- Cistus ladanifer essential oil and/or rosemary verbenone essential oil (repairing and regenerating action)
Are there other stretch mark treatments to use alongside black seed oil ?
It is possible to include black seed oil in an overall anti-stretch-mark routine. We therefore suggest complementing it with the products in our Maxi Anti-Stretch Marks Pack :
- Our Stretch Mark Serum, a source of optimal skin hydration and the perfect prep step before other treatments (cream, oil).
- Our Stretch Mark Cream, which repairs the dermis deep down and restores elasticity and tone to the skin.
- Our Stretch Mark Oil (2 bottles in the pack), which can be used both to help prevent and to treat stretch marks.
- Two massage accessories, namely our New Skin Brush, which stimulates venolymphatic circulation for better skin oxygenation (to be used for dry brushing), and our Massage Roller, which helps massage oils for stretch marks absorb better.