Last Updated on April 16, 2022 by Olivia Herlihy RN
Did you know pumpkin seed oil has multiple benefits for hair including preventing hair loss and stimulating growth?
Hair loss is a common problem that can have many different causes. For this reason it can be hard to know the best way to treat it. Fortunately there are some natural remedies out there, and one of them is pumpkin seed oil!
Pumpkin seed oil has been shown to restore moisture to the scalp, promote hair growth and prevent thinning. This post looks at all the benefits of pumpkin seed oil for hair, and how you can use it at home!
Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits for Hair
What is Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil is an oil which is extracted from the seeds of a pumpkin which have been dried, hulled and roasted. The oil is rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin K, vitamin E and phytosterol. Generally it has a red-orange tint and is dark in colour. It tastes similar to sunflower seed oil but slightly nuttier!
Benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair
Pumpkin seed oil has the following benefits for the hair:
- Promotes a healthy scalp
- Increases hair thickness
- Reduces dandruff
- Has anti-fungal & anti-bacterial properties
- Prevents hair loss
- Promotes new growth
Since pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids it can help to restore moisture to the hair and scalp. The oleic and linoleic acids in the oil help to keep the scalp and hair healthy and can prevent dryness, dandruff and flaking.
Since the oil has anti-fungal and antibacterial properties it can also treat various scalp conditions. The nutrients in the oil also help to nourish the hair follicles and stimulate growth.
A number of studies have shown that both applying pumpkin seed oil topically, and including it in your diet can reduce hair loss and promote new hair growth.
Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Loss
There have been a number of studies looking at both the effect of pumpkin seed oil supplements on hair loss as well as the impact of applying pumpkin oil directly to the scalp. All of them showed that pumpkin seed oil both reduced hair loss and increased the growth of new hair.
One theory for why pumpkin seed oil works as a treatment for hair loss is its phytosterol content. Phytosterols are believed to be able to inhibit the enzymes and hormones in your scalp that cause hair loss in the first place. This may be why saw palmetto, which also has a high content of phytosterols, has also been shown to prevent hair loss.
Clinical Studies into Pumpkin Seed Oil Use for Hair
Men with Androgenetic Alopecia
In one study conducted in 2014, 76 men with hair loss took either 400mg of pumpkin seed oil or a placebo everyday for twenty four weeks. At the end of the study the men who were taking the pumpkin seed oil capsules had four times more hair growth than the placebo group. The study showed that pumpkin seed oil may be a good natural treatment for male pattern baldness. View the study here.
Women with Hair Loss
In another study conducted in 2021, 60 women with hair loss were divided into two groups. Half the women applied pumpkin seed oil to their scalp over a period of 3 months, and the other half applied minoxidil 5% topical foam. At the end of the study the women who had been applying pumpkin seed oil saw a significant decrease in hair loss and an increase in new growth. View the study here.
Animal Studies
In 2019 a study was published showing the effect of applying pumpkin seed oil topically on the backs of mice. It showed that after only 3 weeks the mice all had an increase in hair growth. View the study here.
How to Use Pumpkin Seed Oil at Home
There are a few ways you can use pumpkin seed oil either by appying it topically or including it in your diet, or both!
Pumpkin Seed Oil
The Naissance Pumpkin Seed Oil is food grade so it can either be used in your cooking, or applied directly to the scalp. It’s popularly used in salad dressing, smoothes, as a dip for bread, or drizzled over pasta, grilled fish or roasted vegetables. The nutty oil adds richness and flavour!
Pumpkin seed oil is also one of the most nutritious oils used in aromatherapy skin treatments. You can add a few drops of essential oils known to help combat hair loss such as peppermint oil, spearmint oil or lavender, before massaging into the scalp.
This product is 100% pure pumpkin seed oil which is Soil Association Certified Organic and rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, and vitamins A and C. If you want a good pure pumpkin seed oil to add to your hair care routine, the oil by Naissance is my top pick!
Pumpkin Seed Oil Capsules
Pumpkin seed oil capsules are a quick and easy way to include pumpkin seeds in your diet every day. Many people who regularly take pumpkin seed oil supplements report thicker hair and stronger nails.
The oil also has multiple other health benefits including improving heart health by reducing high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Pumpkin seed oil is also used to improve bladder and prostate health. One study even showed that both saw palmetto oil and pumpkin seed oil may improve the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Pumpkin Mint Deep Treatment Masque
The pumpkin and mint deep treatment hair mask helps to strengthen the hair and restore moisture. It also promotes hair growth and length retention. The formula includes organic pumpkin seed oil and peppermint leaf extract which are both known natural ingredients for treating hair loss.
This mask is packed full for nutrient rich ingredients such as aloe and nettle leaf which help promote a healthy scalp, increase hair thickness, and increase blood flow to the hair follicles. To use the mask apply it to wet hair and leave for up to 30 minutes before rinsing out.
Full Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice, Water, Blood Orange Extract, Aloe Vera Extract, Fig Fruit Extract, Peppermint Leaf Extract, Yucca Leaf Extract, Horsetail Leaf Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract, Melissa Leaf Extract, Soybean Oil, Red Palm Oil, Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil, Shea Butter, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Phenoxyethanol, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Vitamin B5, Pumpkin Extract, Cinnamon Bark Extract, Nutmeg Extract Allspice Extract, Menthol, Fragrance
Acure Ultra Hydrating Conditioner with Argan Oil & Pumpkin
The Acure Ultra Hydrating Conditioner contains both Argan oil and pumpkin seed oil which both contain omega fatty acids and leave the hair soft, manageable and hydrated. Regular use of this conditioner helps to improve the overall health of the hair.
Full Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Stearalkonium Chloride, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Stearate, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Arginine, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Panthenol, Sorbitan Stearate, Cetearyl Glucoside, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Benzaldehyde, Ethyl Lauroyl Arginate Hcl, Ethanol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lactic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Oil, Rubus Fruticosus (Blackberry) Fruit Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Punica Granatum Extract, Euterpe Oleracea Fruit Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Aspalathus Linearis Leaf Extract.
Saw Palmetto Plus Pumpkin & Zinc
Pumpkin seed supplements for hair loss often contain both saw palmetto and zinc. Saw palmetto has been shown to work in a similar way to pumpkin seed oil in preventing hair loss.
In a 2012, male patients with androgenetic alopecia were given a supplement containing saw palmetto. After several weeks of treatment most of the men saw significant increases in hair count (source). It has also been shown to have a positive effect on hair growth in women (source).
This supplement by Zipvit contains not only pumpkin seed oil and saw palmetto but also zinc since zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss.
Make Your Own Hot Oil Treatment With Pumpkin Seed Oil
If you don’t want to buy a pumpkin hair mask or conditioner, you can make your own treatment!
For this recipe you will need:
- 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seed Oil
- 1/4 cup Argan Oil
- 1/4 cup Sweet Almond Oil
- 1/4 cup Refracted Coconut Oil
- 1 teaspoon Castor Oil
- 1 teaspoon Olive Oil
Be aware that castor, olive and coconut oil are all heavy oils that can coat the hair and leave it heavy and weighed down. Pumpkin, Argan and Sweet Almond are much lighter and able to penetrate the hair shaft rather than just coating it.
Make sure you don’t add too much castor or olive oil as it could make your treatment too heavy. I like to add a teaspoon of each for their deep conditioning effect.
Mix all the oils together in a plastic bottle before placing the bottle into a mason jar of hot water to allow the oil to heat up. Once the oil is warm you can apply it to your hair and scalp and leave it for 30 minutes either as a hair mask or pre poo treatment.
Pumpkin Seed Oil Side Effects and Precautions
Pumpkin seed oil is considered a safe oil and side effects are rare. There have been however some rare cases of people experiencing an allergic reaction to pumpkin seed oil. If you want to read further about the possible side effects of pumpkin seed oil the following articles may help:
This Post was All About Pumpkin Seed Oil Benefits for Hair
Thank you for reading my post about pumpkin seed oil benefits for hair. Pumpkin seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is packed full of healthy fats. It has a culinary use as a cooking oil, or can be used as an effective treatment for the hair and scalp. If you have tried the topical application of pumpkin seed oil for hair loss, or added to the oil to your diet, please leave me a comment below and let me know how you got on.
Olivia is a hair and skincare enthusiast with over 10 years experience working in healthcare and over 5 years as a Registered Nurse. She gained an online following after creating a natural haircare routine which completely transformed her hair. Olivia has since written an eBook on Ayurvedic hair care to help others use the same formula to improve their own hair.
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