Short hair may be trending, but anybody dedicated to long hair knows new growth and retention are key to a healthy head of hair. Over the years, we’ve seen rosemary oil, peptides, and even red light therapy linked to hair growth, and now we’ve got our eye on another option: pumpkin seed oil. Not just reserved for jack-o-lanterns and lattes, pumpkin, more specifically, the oil that comes from roasting, grinding, and squeezing the seeds, is trending as an ingredient that can be beneficial for your scalp and hair. Here’s everything we know.
How does pumpkin seed oil work?
“Pumpkin seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6, which help maintain healthy cell membranes and support proper cell function,” Manhattan-based Brendan Camp, MD, who is double-board-certified in dermatology and dermatopathology, says.
He adds, “It also contains antioxidants like vitamin E, zinc, and phytosterols, which can help protect hair follicles from oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can contribute to hair thinning.” These nutrients create an environment that supports a healthy scalp, hair follicle health, and keratin production, while reducing potential damage.
What are the benefits of using pumpkin seed oil?
Pumpkin seed oil may help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.
Preventing Hair Loss
A 2021 study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology investigated the effectiveness of pumpkin seed oil (applied topically) in treating female pattern hair loss, comparing it with minoxidil 5% foam (an FDA-approved hair growth treatment) over three months, and showed promising results.
One theory behind pumpkin seed oil’s success lies in its phytosterols. Although most commonly known for helping lower cholesterol, phytosterols may inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Excess DHT is tied to pattern hair loss in men and women, so “lowering DHT could theoretically reduce hair thinning,” Dr. Camp says. However, he notes, “the evidence is limited, and primarily from small clinical trials,” and “individual responses can vary.”
New York-based board-certified trichologist and hair growth expert Shab Caspara agrees. “While small clinical studies have shown promising results, [pumpkin seed oil] is not as potent or predictable as medical DHT blockers, so it’s best viewed as a supportive, not standalone intervention,” she says. Oral finasteride, for example, is an FDA-approved DHT blocker.
Promoting Hair Growth
A widely cited 2014 study examined the effects of a 400 mg pumpkin seed oil supplement on hair growth in men with pattern hair loss over 24 weeks and found that the mean hair count increased by 40% in the pumpkin seed oil group compared with a 10% increase in the placebo group. However, it’s important to note that other ingredients were present in the supplement, and the study said it could not explain the exact action pumpkin seed oil had on its group. Caspara calls the results “promising,” but adds that more large-scale studies are needed to confirm these results.
Still, both she and Dr. Camp point to some positive signs. “Pumpkin seed oil may support hair growth by providing essential fatty acids and micronutrients that promote follicle health and reduce inflammation,” Dr. Camp says. “A healthy scalp environment is critical for hair growth, and antioxidant activity in the oil may protect follicles from damage.”
Caspara adds, “Its antioxidant and nutrient profile also supports follicle function, which can improve the quality and thickness of new hair over time.”
How do I use pumpkin seed oil?
Pumpkin seed oil is available in capsules and as a topical oil, and Caspara and Dr. Camp have different preferences for which one to use.