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Pumpkin Seed Oil
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare (scalp; hair-loss evidence is oral)
☑ Handmade Soap (conditioning; ≤15%)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Pumpkin seed oil is cold-pressed from the hull-less seeds of Cucurbita pepo (Styrian pumpkin) into a deep green, nutty oil rich in linoleic acid, gamma-tocopherol, phytosterols, zinc, and squalene. It has two evidence threads of interest to ORY®. For skin, a topical pumpkin-seed-oil preparation accelerated wound healing and collagen deposition in an animal model [1], and its linoleic-rich, zinc-containing profile suits acne-prone and barrier-compromised skin [3]. For hair, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that oral pumpkin seed oil (400 mg/day for 24 weeks) increased hair count by 40% in men with androgenetic alopecia — attributed to phytosterol inhibition of 5α-reductase [2]. That evidence is dietary, not topical, so ORY® positions pumpkin seed oil as a nourishing, sebum-balancing scalp and skin oil whose hair-support claims stay cosmetic, and as a conditioning oil in soap and cosmetics.
What is Pumpkin Seed Oil made of?
Pumpkin seed oil is cold-pressed from roasted or raw hull-less seeds (unrefined, green, nutty) or refined. Composition [1, 3]:
- Linoleic acid (45–55%): Barrier-essential; acne-friendly.
- Oleic acid (25–35%): Emollient.
- Palmitic (10–15%) and stearic (5–8%) acids: Structural.
- Gamma-tocopherol (very high), phytosterols (β-sitosterol, Δ7-sterols), squalene, carotenoids, chlorophyll: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, 5α-reductase-inhibiting phytosterols [2].
- Zinc, magnesium, selenium: Trace minerals.
- Comedogenic rating ~2; shelf life 6–12 months (refrigerate unrefined).
- Soap data: SAP ~0.135 g NaOH/g; conditioning; ≤15% (polyunsaturated — rancidity risk); green tint in unrefined.
What skin type is best suited for Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil suits oily, acne-prone, and mature skin especially:
- Acne-prone: Linoleic-rich; zinc and sterols calm inflammation; supports healing [1, 3].
- Oily: Light, sebum-balancing.
- Combination: Balanced facial oil.
- Mature: Gamma-tocopherol antioxidant; sterols support elasticity; wound-healing support [1].
- Normal: Nourishing daily oil.
- Dry: Blend with richer oils.
- Sensitive: Anti-inflammatory; patch test (seed allergy rare).
What hair type is best suited for Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil is a sebum-balancing scalp oil with phytosterol interest for thinning hair:
- Mature or thinning: Phytosterols inhibit 5α-reductase; oral trial showed 40% hair-count increase [2]; topical claims remain cosmetic (“supports a healthy scalp”).
- Oily scalp: Linoleic-rich, light; balances sebum.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Anti-inflammatory; zinc support.
- Dry or damaged: Antioxidant conditioning; blend for ends.
- Curly and coily: Light sealing oil.
- Color-treated: Antioxidant protection.
- Straight, wavy, sensitive scalp: Light scalp massage oil; patch test.
What are the benefits of Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil’s benefits are supported by animal, clinical (oral), and review evidence [1–3]:
- Wound healing: Faster healing and collagen deposition in an animal model [1].
- Barrier repair: Linoleic acid replenishes ceramide precursors [3].
- Sebum balance: Linoleic acid and zinc support acne-prone skin and oily scalps.
- Antioxidant: Exceptionally high gamma-tocopherol; carotenoids.
- Anti-inflammatory: Phytosterols and zinc.
- Hair-support phytosterols: 5α-reductase inhibition; oral trial evidence [2].
- Nourishing hair conditioning: Essential fatty acids.
- Soap conditioning and natural green: Unrefined oil tints bars.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Pumpkin seed oil serves all four ORY® lines, with soap use capped by its polyunsaturation.
| ORY® line | Dual use? | How it is used | Typical level |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ORY® Skincare |
Yes |
Facial oils for acne-prone/oily skin, serums, creams, body oils, healing balms. |
5–50% |
|
ORY® Haircare |
Yes |
Scalp oils and serums (with rosemary), hair oils, masks, conditioners. |
5–50% |
|
ORY® Handmade Soap |
Yes |
Conditioning recipe oil; green tint (unrefined). |
5–15% of oils |
|
ORY® Cosmetics |
Yes |
Lip oils, foundations, cream products. |
5–20% |
Pros and cons of Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pros
Cons
- Randomized hair-loss trial (oral): [2].
- Acne- and barrier-friendly profile: Linoleic, zinc, sterols [3].
- Exceptional gamma-tocopherol: Antioxidant.
- Four-line utility: All ORY® products.
- Sustainable: Food-crop by-product.
- Hair evidence is oral, not topical: Keep topical claims cosmetic.
- Short shelf life (unrefined): Refrigerate; antioxidants.
- Green color and nutty odor: Refined for neutral products.
- Soap rancidity: Keep ≤15%.
- Seed allergy: Rare; patch test.
What is the best application of Pumpkin Seed Oil?
Pumpkin seed oil is a scalp and acne-friendly facial oil:
- Facial oil: Alone or with grapeseed for oily/acne-prone skin.
- Healing balm: 10–20% with calendula.
- Scalp serum: 30–50% with jojoba, rosemary, and saw palmetto for thinning hair.
- Hair mask: With shea for damaged hair.
- Soap: 5–15%.
- Cosmetics: Lip oil base.
Peer-reviewed references
- Bardaa S, Ben Halima N, Aloui F, et al. Oil from pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.) seeds: evaluation of its functional properties on wound healing in rats. Lipids in Health and Disease. 2016;15:73.
- Cho YH, Lee SY, Jeong DW, et al. Effect of pumpkin seed oil on hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2014;2014:549721.
- Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: ancient compounds now backed by modern science. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2018;19(1):103–117.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about pumpkin seed oil as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including hair loss (including androgenetic alopecia), acne, wounds, dandruff, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Allergy to pumpkin seed is rare, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
