Black seed oil, also known as nigella sativa or kalonji, is an essential in every soaper’s and body care maker’s arsenal. It is a versatile ingredient that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helping skin to heal faster. It’s an excellent addition to facial serum treatments and a solid base in soap bars, creams and balms.

It is also a wonderful natural emollient, locking in moisture and helping to keep skin soft and smooth. It helps soothe itchy skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. “As a topically applied oil, it reduces redness and inflammation associated with these skin issues,” says esthetician Andrea Lopez. “You can add it to a face and body lotion or body wash recipe for that extra moisture boost.”

One of the best benefits of black seed oil is that it promotes wound healing, according to research conducted in animal models. The thymoquinone in black seed oil has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen, which aids in the growth and repair of tissue. It also helps fight against the formation of scar tissue and may even reverse some forms of hair loss.

In some studies, black seed oil has also been shown to naturally help with a number of liver and kidney problems. For example, one study found that thymoquinone in the oil helped protect against oxidative stress in the livers of rats by normalizing the levels of hepatic enzymes (like GSH-S-transferase, CAT and adenosine deaminase). organic black seed oil