Does Pumpkin Seed Oil for Hair Growth Work? How It Compares to Minoxidil and 3 Products To Try
A new study tested the TikTok-trendy oil against the 'gold standard' treatment minoxidil
Key Takeaways
- Pumpkin seed oil may help support hair growth, but more research is still needed.
- One small study found promising hair growth results in women using pumpkin seed oil.
- Experts share three affordable pumpkin seed oil products to consider for thinning hair.
If you’ve spent any time on Instagram or “HairTok” recently, you’ve probably run across people raving about pumpkin seed oil for hair growth. But are the benefits of pumpkin seed oil legit, or just another fad that doesn’t work? We asked the experts to break down everything you need to know.
Why you could be experiencing hair loss
“One of the most common causes is inherited female pattern hair loss,” says Keith Kantor, PhD, ND, trichologist and clinical director of Regen Therapeutic. He says other triggers of hair loss throughout your life could include:
- Stress
- Childbirth
- Illness
- Rapid weight loss
- Not eating enough protein or calories
- Iron deficiency
Women over 50, specifically, may experience hair thinning around menopause. “Estrogen levels fall during menopause, and changes in hormones and aging can affect the hair’s growth cycle,” adds Kantor.
What is pumpkin seed oil?
If this is your first introduction to pumpkin seed oil, your biggest question is likely: What is it? It’s a lot like what it sounds like. “Pumpkin seed oil is the oil extracted from pumpkin seeds,” explains Kantor. “For a cold-pressed oil, the seeds are mechanically pressed without high heat, and the oil is then filtered. Other methods may involve roasting or further processing. It contains [essential] fatty acids and plant compounds called phytosterols. It is a fatty oil rather than a concentrated essential oil, and it can help condition dry hair.”
Pumpkin seed oil for hair growth in research
Pumpkin seed oil not only has people talking in multiple corners of the internet, but also in the world of research. Kantor and Shamsa Kanwal, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Aesthetic Evolution Skin and Laser Clinic, both highlight recent research out of the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology on the potential benefits of applying pumpkin seed oil for hair growth.
“Ibrahim and colleagues studied 60 women with female pattern hair loss,” explains Kantor. “Thirty used topical pumpkin seed oil and 30 used 5 percent minoxidil foam for three months. The pumpkin seed oil group showed fewer very fine hairs, more uniform hair thickness and more short, upright regrowing hairs under magnification. The minoxidil group also improved.”
While the study did not offer a specific mechanism of action, Kantor offers some theories about the results. “My interpretation is that plant compounds in the oil may influence hormone activity around the follicle,” he says. “Its fatty acids may also help condition the scalp.”
Kantor calls these results encouraging but says we can’t yet establish that pumpkin seed oil works as well as minoxidil. He says we also have limited information on how long the benefits will last. But, Kantor says pumpkin seed oil may be a helpful supporting option to add to your hair growth regimen.
Why pumpkin seed oil for hair growth is trending
Clyde Haygood, celebrity hairstylist, explains why pumpkin seed oil is making waves in the hair world. “Pumpkin seed oil has gained a lot of popularity for hair loss lately because of its ability to act as a natural, milder alternative to prescription medications for hair loss,” says Haygood. “Many people look for natural options because prescription treatments can have side effects, and minoxidil can sometimes cause scalp irritation or dryness.”
“Pumpkin seed oil contains linoleic acid, vitamin E, antioxidants and omega fatty acids, which help soothe scalp inflammation and support a healthier environment for hair growth,” adds Haygood. He says the oil is rich in phytosterols, which may help prevent hair follicles from shrinking and reduce hair loss.
3 affordable products with pumpkin seed oil for hair growth
So if you want to give the oil the internet swears by a try, we asked our experts for their top affordable picks.
Maple Holistics Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil ($19.95)
“It is a single-ingredient, organic, cold-pressed pumpkin seed oil,” explains Kantor. “I like the simple formula and the small bottle for someone trying an oil for the first time.” This oil can help moisturize fragile and dry hair while skipping the price tag of more expensive hair growth oils, adds Kantor.
ACURE Ultra Hydrating Shampoo (normally $9.99, on-sale $7)
This product contains argan and pumpkin seed oil, which improves softness and reduces breakage related to dryness, says Dr. Kanwal.
PURA D’OR Advanced Peptide Hair and Scalp Serum ($29.99)
Haygood, who is a PURA D’OR partner, recommends this product formulated with a blend of oils including pumpkin seed oil, rosemary oil, argan oil, extracts and vitamins. “This multitasking formula targets the foundation of healthy hair growth by helping to support thicker, fuller-looking hair and strengthening and fortifying weak strands,” says Haygood. “It also hydrates and rebalances the scalp for a healthier hair environment by delivering lightweight daily nourishment without buildup or residue.”
The bottom line on pumpkin seed oil for hair health
If you spend any time in the TikTok wellness community, you know some trends are just fads while others can actually help. And while pumpkin seed oil likely won’t fix your hair loss concerns overnight, research and our experts suggest it could help when added to a hair-growth regimen.
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