South of Aswan, Egypt · Cold-pressed
Black Seed Oil: The Complete Guide
Black seed oil, pressed from the tiny black seeds of Nigella sativa, has been treasured along the Nile since the pharaohs; the seeds were even found in King Tut's tomb. Earthy and potent, it is our go-to oil for oily, blemish-prone and easily stressed skin.
- Ingredient (INCI)
- Nigella sativa seed oil
- Origin
- South of Aswan, Egypt
- Method
- Cold-pressed, unrefined
- Texture
- Medium, absorbs in 2-4 minutes
- Scent
- Strong, earthy, herbal
- Best for
- Oily, blemish-prone, stressed skin
Free U.S. shipping over $75. Ships in 1-2 business days from Denver.
What It Does
- Helps calm stressed or reactive-looking skin
- Deeply nourishes and supports the skin barrier
- Leaves a protective, comforting finish
Texture & absorption:
Medium-weight oil. Absorbs in 2–4 minutes — always apply on clean, warm and slightly wet skin.
Aroma:
Strong, earthy, herbal scent that fades quickly after application.
What It Is
Katari Black Seed Oil is a time-honored favorite for oily, blemish-prone and easily irritated skin. Naturally rich in antioxidants, omega fatty acids and thymoquinone, it helps balance excess oil, soothes the look of redness, and supports a clearer, calmer-looking complexion.
This cold-pressed, unrefined oil also conditions the scalp and works as a multi-tasking comfort oil for dry, rough or sensitive spots. Bottled fresh in handblown glass with natural cork, it's single-ingredient, vegan, and cruelty-free.
The Katari Difference:
Single-ingredient purity, bottled fresh in handblown glass with natural cork. Vegan, cruelty-free, and artisan-pressed in Egypt using traditional methods passed down for generations.
Ancient wisdom meets modern skincare. Black seed has been cherished across the Mediterranean and Middle East for thousands of years, and it remains one of nature's most versatile oils.
What it is
Black seed oil is pressed from the small, jet-black seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant with a pretty pale flower, also called black cumin or black caraway. Ours is cold-pressed and unrefined. We never deodorize or perfume it, so it smells strongly of the seed, and that earthy scent is part of what makes it so prized.
On skin it is a comforting, balancing oil for complexions that run oily, break out easily or look red and stressed.
Where it comes from
Our black seed grows on small farms south of Aswan in Upper Egypt, along the Nile. The seeds are cold-pressed by Amr, our oil maker, and his team, and bottled in hand-blown glass. Black seed has been treasured in Egypt for thousands of years; seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun.
How to use it
- Start damp and warm. After cleansing, mist Géran or splash warm water. Black seed absorbs best on warm, slightly wet skin.
- Press in 2-3 drops. Press into face, focusing on oily or blemish-prone areas. Mix with Hoba if you want a softer scent.
- Spot care. Dab a drop on a blemish at night.
- Rotate when skin is calm. Many customers use Black Seed daily while skin is having a moment, then switch to Hoba or Rubi for everyday care.
Beyond the face
- Scalp. Massage into the roots before washing to comfort a dry, itchy-feeling scalp.
- Body. On back and shoulders that tend to break out, and on rough, dry patches.
The chemistry
Black seed oil is rich in linoleic acid and carries thymoquinone, the aromatic compound behind its distinctive scent and much of its reputation. It also contains a fatty acid that is rare in plant oils, eicosadienoic acid.
| Component | Typical range | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | About 50-60% | Supports a healthy-looking barrier; often low in oily, blemish-prone skin |
| Oleic acid (omega-9) | About 20-25% | Softens and helps skin hold moisture |
| Palmitic acid | About 12% | Adds richness |
| Eicosadienoic acid | About 2-3% | A rare fatty acid that sets black seed apart |
| Thymoquinone | Present | Antioxidant and the source of the earthy scent |
Typical values for cold-pressed Nigella sativa seed oil from published analyses. Values vary by harvest.
Who it's for
- Oily, combination and blemish-prone skin, at any age.
- Skin that looks red, stressed or reactive.
- Dry, itchy-feeling scalps.
- Anyone who likes a powerful, no-nonsense oil and doesn't mind an earthy scent.
For professionals
Black seed is a natural finishing oil in clarifying facials and a strong take-home recommendation for clients with oily or blemish-prone skin. Pair it with Géran and a weekly Argil masque.
Storage and shelf life
Black Seed Oil has a 2-year shelf life. Keep the cork closed and the bottle out of direct sun and bathroom steam. For the freshest oil, we suggest enjoying it within 3-6 months of receiving it.
Safety
Black seed oil is potent. Patch test first, and start with a drop or two. Our oil is made for skin, not as a food supplement, so please don't swallow it. Keep it away from children.
For external use only. Patch test any new product: apply a little to your inner forearm once a day for two days. If you notice redness, itching or swelling, rinse with cool water and stop using it. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, check with your doctor first.
Questions
Can Black Seed help with breakouts?
It is one of the oldest favorites for troubled skin. It calms the look of blemishes and redness and helps balance oily skin, without anything harsh.
Is it right for my skin type?
It is best for oily, breakout-prone or stressed skin, and most skin types can use it. Patch test first. Once skin is calm, switch to Hoba or Rubi for daily care.
Why does it smell so strong?
That is the seed. We never deodorize or perfume it, because the compounds that give black seed its scent are part of what makes it special.
From the Journal
The Oil From King Tut's Tomb →
Black Seed Oil
$75+
What our customers say
4.95★ from 425 reviews
Marcia, LA celebrity esthetician
There are oils, and there are Katari oils
Marcia has prepared her famous clients for red-carpet events with Katari for years, and made Géran her signature scent.
Christina K.
The only skincare I'll ever buy
Katari Beauty is the definition of pure and quality… this is the ONLY skincare products that I will ever buy for the rest of my life.
Karni M.
THIS is my new favorite
Every time I buy a different oil from Katari, I say the same 2 things… “THIS is my new favorite” and “I want to take a bath in this.”
Maureen
Nothing like it
The lengths that they go to find the most amazing raw material and the handblown glass bottles is not like anything I have seen before.
Elizabeth B.
By far the best
I've tried multiple toners in the past and this is by far the best I've found… Katari Beauty is one of the best companies I've encountered in the industry.
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