Carrier Oil Closeup: Sesame Oil

Sesame: you’ve likely eaten the seeds, used the ground paste in your cooking, or drizzled the oil over a stir-fry. But if you haven’t yet discovered the nourishing and protective properties of sesame oil for your skin, it’s time to look deeper. Read on for a closer look at one of the most aromatic seed oils for skin health.

Sesame oil: origins and traditional uses

Sesame oil is a thick, yellow, aromatic oil pressed from mineral-rich sesame seeds. It’s high in vitamin E, vitamin A, B vitamins, zinc, and potassium, as well as fatty acids, including linoleic and palmitic acids, that deliver palpable moisture to dry skin. Smooth it on for a major dose of moisture. As you use it, sesame oil works to boost circulation and tone skin, as well as support skin repair and help prevent bacterial infections. Sesame oil has traditionally been used for the ancient Ayurvedic skincare practice of abhyanga oil massage. During this detoxifying practice, warm sesame oil is massaged head to toe, prior to bathing. This ritual is said to nourish and calm the body, move lymph and blood, detoxify, and soften skin.

What is sesame oil good for?

The deeply moisturizing properties of sesame oil make it an excellent choice for dry skin types. Sesame oil is also a good choice for use as a scalp oil, as it can help control yeast. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties help it soothe itchy and inflamed skin, as well as benefit oral health when used for oil pulling. While it’s not strong enough to replace your sunscreen, sesame oil confers mild SPF protection, to the degree that it can be added to other skincare products to boost their existing SPF factor and free radical protection.

Did you know?

As sesame oil may provoke a reaction in sensitive individuals and those with a known sesame allergy, be sure there is no allergy is present and do a spot test on skin before using.