Top 6 Benefits Using Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair + Skin
With beauty trends increasingly pointing towards the idea of natural skin care products, we’re all in search of organic ingredients that we can incorporate into our routine. Using natural ingredients like pumpkin seed oil can reduce your risk of breakouts and irritation while nourishing your skin. Pumpkin seed oil is a multi-tasking natural ingredient that you can also incorporate into your hair care routine. We’re taking an in-depth look into what pumpkin seed oil is, its benefits, how to use pumpkin seed oil for hair + skin, and what brands to be on the lookout for.
Short Summary: When used on hair, Pumpkin Seeds oil can promote hair growth, prevent hair loss and hydrate hair follicles. When used on face, Pumpkin Seeds oil is effective in promoting anti-aging by stimulating collagen production in dermis layer of your skin. Pumpkin Seed Oil by US Organic is rated as the best brand in the market.
Table of Contents
What is Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil is a carrier oil rich in antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. While this ingredient is famous for its health benefits, it’s becoming increasingly more popular in skincare products. While research is still developing about pumpkin seed oil, we can tell that it’s an effective acne treatment.
As the name suggests, this ingredient is derived from hulled seeds of pumpkins, traditionally through the cold press method. Pumpkin seed oil is packed full of nutrients and vitamins, including vitamin C, zinc, phytosterols, magnesium, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, and potassium. Styrian pumpkins create one of the most nutrient-dense pumpkin seed oils, with 30 pumpkins producing a litre of oil.
Top 3 Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil For Hair
Due to its composition of fatty acids and vitamins, the pumpkin seed oil is a popular treatment for preventing hair loss and keeping your hair shafts and scalp hydrated. You can use it as a spot treatment or in a hair mask for a deeper conditioning treatment. Although research is in its infancy, it appears that pumpkin seed oil can be used as a natural remedy to prevent hair loss.
1) Prevent Hair Loss
Pumpkin seed oil can stop the 5-alpha reductase enzyme that has the potential to slow or stop your hair growth. It works by protecting your hair follicles, which increase the natural shine of your hair. By putting a protective seal around the hair follicles, it shields the proteins that are essential to your hair growth. The phytosterols in the pumpkin seed oil can stop the hormones that lead to hair loss. Pumpkin seed oil can inhibit dihydrotestosterone production and control your androgen levels to prevent hair loss, a process which stops your follicles from absorbing the proteins it needs.
Phytosterols, a plant steroid found in pumpkin seed oil, could block enzymes and hormones in your scalp that cause hair loss.
2) Hydrates Your Hair and Scalp
Like coconut oil, pumpkin seed oil will improve the overall condition of your hair. It hydrates your hair to give it a natural shine. You can use pumpkin seed oil to help repair over-processed hair or damage with relaxers and heat products. You can use pumpkin seed oil to improve the blood circulation on your scalp by using a dermaroller to massage it into your scalp – or you can use your hands.
3) Promotes Hair Growth
The phytosterols in the pumpkin seed oil promote hair growth to give you luscious hair. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in mineral nutrients that help condition and improve the health of your hair, including magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. You can use pumpkin seed oil to create an at-home deep hair conditioner. The internet is full of recipes you can use to make affordable at-home treatments to help with hair growth and maintenance.
Top 3 Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil for Skin + Face
While the skincare benefits of pumpkin seed oil have not been extensively studied, we can be sure of some benefits it has for your skin due to its chemical composition. As pumpkin seed oil is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and fatty acids, you can use it as part of your daily skincare routine.
1) Treat Acne
You can use pumpkin seed oil as a spot treatment to reduce the inflammation that is caused by acne. Research has shown that using pumpkin seed all for 1 to 3 months has the potential to significantly reduce the amount and appearance of acne and blemishes. As it contains unsaturated fatty acids, it soothes your skin to reduce inflammation. As pumpkin seed oil is lightweight, it’s ideal for use if you have oily skin.
2) Stimulates Collagen Production
As pumpkin seed oil contains vitamin C, it’s the perfect way to kickstart your anti-aging routine. It works by stimulating collagen production in the dermis layer of your skin to boost your skin’s firmness and elasticity. As we get older, we lose our collagen, which results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Vitamin A in pumpkin seed oil keeps your skin firm and healthy, aiding the anti-ageing benefits of the natural remedy to prevent wrinkles and crow’s feet. Vitamin B2 and B3 softens your skin and brightens your complexion.
3) Protects Your Skin from Oxidative Stress
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in vitamin C and vitamin E, which gives it antioxidant properties to protect your skin from oxidative stress and reduce free radical damage. The fatty omega acids in pumpkin seed oil penetrate your skin to improve and maintain your moisture levels, without leaving any oily residue behind on your skin. The zinc and selenium in the pumpkin seed oil can balance your skin’s oily production. Zinc and vitamin C within the pumpkin seed oil protects your collagen production from oxidative stress, and your elastin fibres, to keep your skin tone and tight.
How to Use Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair
There are multiple ways that you can take pumpkin seed oil to benefit your hair. You can purchase oil gel supplements that you can take as part of your daily routine.
Or you can buy the pure pumpkin seed oil for external application. Pumpkin Seed oil by US Organic is rated as the best brand because it is cold-pressed, pure, 100% organic. Get it on Amazon Here.
Directly onto the scalp
- If you have a dry scalp or suffer from hair loss, you can apply pumpkin seed oil directly to your scalp.
Use as a Hair Mask
- If you have damaged hair or split ends, you can use pumpkin seed oil as a treatment mask. After you washed your hair with shampoo, mix 10 drops of the oil with conditioner. Apply the mixture onto your split ends as a hair mask. Let it sit for 10 minutes before washing it away to let your hair “soak in” the nutrients.
You only want to use this treatment once a week or every 2 weeks, depending on your needs. Using it more frequently can leave excess oil on your scalp. Please also note that you want to avoid using this oil right before using hot tools on your hair.
How to Use Pumpkin Seed Oil for Skin
You can use pumpkin seed oil as a facial oil for your face. Depending on your needs, you can use it as a spot treatment on areas where you have imperfections, or you can use it as an all-over treatment. You can incorporate pumpkin seed oil into your skincare routine after cleansing and before moisturising your skin. Simply add 1-2 drop of the oil and mix it with your serum on palm. Then apply to face directly before you apply facial moisturizer.
US Organic has the best cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil in the market. It is100% pure, organic and free of additives. It is the safest brand for application on face/skin. See price on Amazon Here.
As a versatile natural remedy, pumpkin seed oil appears in everything from face cleansers to moisturisers. While you can purchase pumpkin seed oil in its purest form, it’s often combined with jojoba oil and vitamin E for a blended serum.
Side Effects of Pumpkin Seed Oil
As a natural product, pumpkin seed oil has no recorded side effects. Like any natural remedy, it can still cause an allergic reaction if you’re allergic to pumpkin seeds. Allergic reactions can lead to irritation, inflammation, or more complicated side effects. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you want to consult your doctor before you start taking a pumpkin seed supplement.
Top 4 Pumpkin Seed Oil Brands
#1 US Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil
Why we like it: This pumpkin seed oil is manufactured in the US in a USDA-certified organic facility. The product isn’t diluted by any fillers or alcohol and is cruelty-free. You can use this pumpkin seed oil on your hair and skin to protect against oxidative stress. US Organic promotes the usage of pumpkin seed oil for at-home remedies, such as lip balm or face creams. As a cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil, you get the benefits of all the nutrients and vitamins.
Pros: You can use this product as a topical spot treatment for acne or blemishes or as an all-over body moisturiser. As this product has a dropper applicator, it makes it easier to use for face and spot treatments.
Cons: This pumpkin seed oil is unrefined and has a nutty pumpkin smell that you might not like if you prefer to have fragrance-free products for your skincare routine. Compared to other natural remedies, this pumpkin seed oil is budget-friendly. You can purchase a 4-ounce bottle for $20. If you fall in love with it, you can bulk buy a gallon bottle.
Buy on Amazon → US Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil
Why we like it: This dietary supplement is full of health and skin-related benefits. It supports your heart health by maintaining an ideal cholesterol level and blood pressure. This supplement is high in iron and has antioxidant benefits to reduce free radical damage. You can benefit from its calming effects, which boosts your magnesium levels and promotes good gut health. For skincare benefits, this product naturally moisturises your skin and increases your zinc levels to stimulate your collagen production. It also supports your skeletal development and acts as a natural multivitamin.
Pros: As a supplement, you get all the benefits of pumpkin seed oil for health and skincare issues. You can take 1-3 teaspoons of this supplement every day. Along with pumpkin seed, this supplement contains coriander, flaxseed, sunflower, and black sesame seed oil. Taking this supplement will benefit everything from your hair, skin, and nails to your general health.
Cons: You want to consider the fact this is a supplement instead of a traditional skincare product. While you can take advantage of the health-related benefits, you won’t see the same visible changes you can experience with everyday skincare products.
Buy on Amazon → Activation Five Seed Blend
#3 Schlacher & Sohne Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
Why we like it: This vegan-friendly superfood is the perfect alternative to using processed oils on your food. It’s gluten-free and vegan friendly as the pumpkin seeds are grown without any nasty GMOs. It contains raw pumpkin seed oil, so you get all the benefits of this natural remedy. You can improve your skin and hair through more than just your beauty routine, and this product is a testament to that.
Pros: You can purchase this pumpkin seed oil in various sizes, from 100ml up to 500ml. It uses Styrian pumpkin seed, the most potent option, and is made in Austria. This product is easy to incorporate into your diet by adding it to salads, bread, and rice dishes. As a superfood, a little goes a long way. You can keep your bottle for 9-12 months, meaning you don’t have to worry about it going out of date before you can use up the contents.
Cons: Not everyone likes to add oil to their food, and it might not work with your diet. You want to remember that while you’ll get to enjoy the other health benefits, the skin and hair benefits won’t be as visible as they would be from a traditional skincare product.
Buy on Amazon → Schlacher & Sohne Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil
Why we like it: As a virgin unrefined cold-press product, you get all the benefits of pumpkin seed oil. It’s designed for dry skin and helps to support your skin’s structure while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and signs of premature ageing. You can use it as a food supplement or add it to your skin creams, lotions, balms, or massage oils. It’s 100% natural pumpkin seed oil, made without GMO.
Pros: As a multi-functional product, you can use this as a cooking oil or add it to your everyday skincare products. You can apply the oil to your face as a natural moisturizer or massage it into your scalp after a shower. You can use it as a leave-in conditioning for your hair. If you want to use this as a supplement, you can take one teaspoon or tablespoon up to three times a day. This option has the largest variety of sizes for you to choose from. You can pick between 2-ounce bottles, up to a 64-ounce bottle size.
Cons: If you’re looking for a straightforward pumpkin seed oil, you might prefer the US organic facial oil compared to this product. While it is versatile, you’ll have to do some of the work to make it a skincare product.
Buy on Amazon → Velona Pumpkin Seed Oil
FAQs
Will Pumpkin Seed Oil clog my pores?
- Pumpkin Seed oil has a comedogenic rating of 2 out of a 5. It means Pumpkin seeds oil has a relatively low risk of clogging your pores. If you have oily skin, you can bring down its comedogenic rating by diluting it with a carrier oil with a lower rating, such as hemp seed oil or argan oil. Both hemp seed oil or argan oil have a comedogenic rating of 0-1.
What is the consistency or smell of pumpkin seed oil?
- The consistency of pumpkin seed oil is thick and it’s dark greenish brown in color. It also has a aromatic and nutty smell and flavor.
Summary
Using pumpkin seed oil hair, skin, and body has been one of the most popular choice in the DIY community. It is packed full of nutrients and vitamins; including vitamin C, zinc, magnesium, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids. These nutrients promote hair growth when applied on hair. When applied to face, it is also proved to have anti-aging effect and reduce inflammation caused by acne. Pumpkin Seed Oil by US Organic is rated as the best brand in the market.
