An ancient seed could prove wonders for your hair and skin
In a world of products saturated with new formulas and hero ingredients that promise wondrous benefits, it can feel overwhelming to find a product that works for you.
A new contender is the oil of the humble Black Cumin seed, or Nigella sativa, which is the hero ingredient in Hab Shifa’s line of beauty products, including a body wash, moisturiser shampoo and conditioner.
With its use dating back to the Ancient Egyptians and in some of the world’s oldest religious and medical texts, clinical studies of the Black Seed have since found it has various health benefits, thanks to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, and even anti-diabetic properties.
When it comes to our skin and hair, Black Seed oil has been praised for its ability to cleanse hair of impurities while nurturing the scalp.
Hab Shifa takes advantage of these qualities and combines Black Seed oil with other anti-irritant ingredients, with the resulting combination helping restore skin elasticity and minimise the loss of moisture in the barriers of the skin.
After trialling Hab Shifa’s products over the last few months, I can safely say the shampoo and conditioner make easy work of my hair, leaving it feeling lighter, softer, and clean even when it has been at its greasiest.
The body wash and moisturiser have delivered similar results for my skin, with the scrub helping my skin feel exfoliated while the moisturiser has put an end to my usual bouts of dry skin.
I’m not the only one who has seen the benefits of using Hab Shifa’s Black Seed oil products either.
After searching for a product to help with dryness and cracking - a problem made all the worse due to increased hand-washing during the COVID-19 pandemic - nurse Margie Ryan has since made the moisturiser her go-to product, even over pharmaceutical and heavy-duty products.
She says the moisturiser absorbs well and that it doesn’t feel like oils are transferred, and recommends it for anyone who works in industries where their hands are frequently in water or where they are prone to dryness or cracking.
The Hab Shifa Black Seed skin and hair care range consists of the Nurturing Shampoo and Nurturing Conditioner, the Revitalizing Body Wash, and the Hydrating Moisturizing Lotion, which retail for $19.95 each or can be purchased as a bundle for $77.50 on Hab Shifa’s online store.
To find their products in-store, head here to locate your closest one.
Image: Getty Images