Pumpkin seed oil is one of the best essential oils for your hair. So, if you’re looking for a natural remedy for hair dullness, dryness, or even hair loss, pumpkin seed oil may be an effective treatment.
From preventing hair shedding to adding colour and vibrancy, you’ll find all the science-backed benefits of pumpkin seed oil for hair below. You’ll also learn:
Pumpkin seed oil is a natural oil made from pumpkin seeds. It’s packed with essential fatty acids, along with a high volume of vitamin E, omega 3, zinc, proteins, and tons of other nutrients that are vital for hair health [1].
These nutrients have lots of great properties for making your hair shinier, fuller, and healthier. For example, vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps fight oxidative stress that contributes to premature hair loss and hair ageing [2].
Available as a topical oil or supplement capsule, you can get pumpkin seed oil from most health food stores or online retailers.
Pumpkin seed oil has become a popular part of many haircare routines in recent years — and with good reason. Here’s a rundown of eight benefits you can expect when using pumpkin seed oil for hair.
Pumpkin seed oil contains several free fatty acids that may benefit those affected by with male pattern baldness, including linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid [3]. Some fatty acids can suppress the production or effect of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that plays a significant role in the development of male pattern baldness [4-5]. So it’s possible that pumpkin seed oil could stop your receding hairline getting worse.
One study found that a drug containing pumpkin seed oil (among other ingredients) led to visible hair regrowth after 24 weeks of treatment:
Linoleic acid is found in many other natural oils too, including olive oil and sunflower oil. Learn more about using olive oil for hair.
It’s not just men who can benefit from pumpkin seed oil for hair. One study comparing it with 5% Minoxidil found pumpkin seed oil may also help improve symptoms of female pattern baldness after just three months of use [7].
Female pattern hair loss typically occurs due to hormonal changes, so it makes sense that pumpkin seed oil may also be effective for this type of hair loss. However, as with any treatment that impacts hormone levels, it’s important to speak to your GP and/or a trichologist before using it.
In addition to inhibiting DHT production, there’s some evidence that linoleic acid can activate growth factors in the hair follicle, helping cells multiply quickly to promote hair growth [4]. One animal study found that applying topical pumpkin seed oil could increase hair growth within just three weeks [8].
While this research is in its early stages, the results are promising for those affected by various types of alopecia.
One of the reasons hair oils are so popular is because they can keep your hair moisturised — and pumpkin seed oil is no exception.
Pumpkin seed oil is a medium-weight oil, which is perfect for topical use on the hair. It provides enough moisture to keep your hair looking glossy, without weighing it down or making it look oily.
Hair oils are commonly used as emollients [9] to seal in moisture and protect your hair from external aggressors like the sun, pollution, and cold weather.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of pumpkin seed oil may help minimise the impact of oxidative stress, which can contribute to hair breakage and autoimmune hair loss conditions like alopecia areata [2, 10].
Pumpkin seed oil is rich in vitamin E, beta-carotenes, phytoestrogens, and phytosterols, which can help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation around the hair follicles [11].
Oleic acid, a key fatty acid found in pumpkin seed oil, can regulate sebum production in the scalp, moisturising your skin without making it look or feel greasy [6].
A healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair, so applying pumpkin seed oil to your scalp for optimum sebum secretion is a good place to start. (Double down on the benefits by combining this with a relaxing scalp massage for hair growth.)
As always, if you have any concerning symptoms (such as an itchy scalp, excessive dryness and flaking, or any signs of infection), visit your GP or a trichologist to rule out any underlying scalp conditions.
Pumpkin seed oil derives its yellow-amber tone from lutein and other carotenoids, which can preserve or add pigment to your hair. This is a bonus for those looking to enrich their hair colour.
If you’re concerned about pumpkin seed oil’s colour-changing properties, test the effects by applying a small amount to a discreet part of your hair before applying it more liberally.
Like all the best essential oils for hair, pumpkin seed oil can enhance the shine and appearance of your hair when you apply it through the lengths.
Different hair textures will benefit from different amounts and concentrations of pumpkin seed oil. To avoid greasiness, use it sparingly to start with. Gradually increase the amount of pumpkin seed oil you use until you get the results you want.
Want to know the best way to reap the benefits of pumpkin seed oil? Here’s how to use it to get the best results for your hair.
One of the easiest ways to use pumpkin seed oil is to apply it directly to your scalp, either by using an oil treatment or switching to hair products that contain the ingredient. Studies show this can be an effective way to promote hair growth [8].
If you’re more concerned with adding shine and lustre through the lengths of your hair, combine it with your conditioner after washing your hair (or choose a conditioner that already contains pumpkin seed oil or extract). Alternatively, brush a small amount through dry hair, taking care to avoid creating greasy patches.
If you are using pumpkin seed oil for a hot oil hair treatment, be careful not to use too much in your hair — heating the oil will make it much runnier and more difficult to handle.
You can also consume pumpkin seed oil in the form of a dietary supplement from many supermarkets and health food stores.
The dosage of pumpkin seed oil in these supplements can range from 500 to 1000 mg, depending on the brand. Although there is no established recommended dosage for the ingredient, we recommend starting at 500 mg and increasing your dosage if needed.
Finally, you can also ingest regular pumpkin seed oil orally, without taking it via a capsule.
Most people who choose this method consume around one to three teaspoons a day, or incorporate it into their cooking.
Men and women experiencing genetic pattern baldness, as well as anyone seeking added shine and moisture, may benefit from using pumpkin seed oil for hair.
However, because pumpkin seed oil may impact your hormone levels (in particular, DHT), consider the possible side effects and risks before using this treatment (especially if you plan to consume capsules rather than apply it topically).
Pumpkin seed oil is generally a safe substance to apply for hair loss, with very few reported side effects. Topical application of pumpkin seed oil may irritate your scalp, causing itchiness and/or redness [5].
If you experience any of these side effects, stop using the oil and seek advice from a trichologist or your GP.
While the evidence for using pumpkin seed oil on your hair is promising, the research is still in its infancy. More studies are needed before we can say for certain that pumpkin seed oil will solve your hair problems.
Fortunately, there are plenty of other evidence-based treatments and medicines you can use if you’re worried about hair thinning.
Commonly prescribed therapies for hair loss include Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil, as well as platelet-rich plasma therapy and surgical hair transplants for more advanced hair loss. Our hair loss specialists have more than 50 years of experience performing hair restoration procedures, so we can create a personalised treatment plan that works for you.
To learn more about hair loss and how to prevent it, book a consultation at the Wimpole Clinic.
Find out more about pumpkin seed oil for hair in these frequently asked questions.
Multiple studies have found that pumpkin seed oil can reduce DHT levels, resulting in increased hair growth [5, 8]. While more research is needed to confirm this link, it’s probable that pumpkin seed oil really does inhibit DHT production and/or reduce its effects.
Yes, you can leave pumpkin seed oil in your hair (as long as you’re not experiencing any adverse reactions, like scalp redness or itchiness). Be mindful that it may look greasy if you use too much, so apply the oil sparingly.
Both pumpkin seed oil and rosemary oil can positively impact hair growth [5, 7, 12]. But no studies have yet compared them head-to-head, so it’s unclear which is more effective.
That said, more substantial research supports the use of rosemary oil [12-14]. So if you’re only looking to use one essential oil for hair growth, rosemary oil is probably the one to try first.
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