Sesame Oil in Skin Care: Benefits, Uses, and Considerations for Your Skin

Sesame Oil in Skin Care

Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum) is a moisturizing, antioxidant rich oil found in many skin care products that has been used across the world for hundreds of years in food and medicine.

In skin care, sesame oil is sought after for its unique compounds like sesamol, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant, compound unique to sesame plants.

Sesame oil is also notable for its ability to absorb UV radiation, protecting the skin from sun damage when used in sunscreens.

Find out if sesame oil is right for your skin care routine!

What is sesame oil?

Sesame oil is primarily composed of unsaturated fatty acids, meaning it could be classified as a “dry oil.”

Though sesame oil is derived from plants, it is not considered an essential oil because its texture is too thick. Plant oils with high viscosity are often considered carrier oils.

Sesame oil is an unsaturated plant oil with hydrating, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and sun protective properties.

What are the active compounds?

Sesame oil contains many beneficial components like hydrating fatty acids and antioxidant natural compounds.

The four major fatty acids in sesame oil (in order of concentration) are:

Linoleic acid

Oleic acid

Palmitic acid

Stearic acid

The compound that sesame seed oil is most coveted for in skin care, however, is the lignan “sesamol,” not found in other plant species.

Sesamol is a very beneficial compound in skin care which has been lauded for its antioxidant and radiation absorbing properties since the 90’s.(2,3)

Some evidence even suggests sesamol may treat certain types of cancers. (4) That being said, more data is always required on proposed cancer treatments, and drinking sesame oil will not cure cancer.

Other lignans in sesame oil are sesamolin and sesamin. (11)

Sesame oil is also rich in tocopherols, the family of compounds which includes vitamin E.

Studies have also found that these and other active compounds such as various flavonoids and phenolic compounds give sesame oil antimicrobial properties. (12)

Benefits of sesame oil

Skin benefits

Sesame oil is rich in compounds that give it moisturizing, UV protecting, antioxidizing, and antimicrobial properties.

Studies have found it can treat bacterial and fungal conditions like staph infections. It has been used in places like Nigeria for centuries for antibacterial reasons. (5)

Antioxidant compounds present in sesame oil eliminate free radicals on the skin which contribute to wrinkles and aging skin. (3)

The hydrating fatty acids in sesame oil make it a good ingredient in many facial moisturizers.

It is also occlusive, meaning it helps other ingredients and moisture stay on the skin.

Oleic acid, also common in sesame oil, is useful when layering skin care ingredients because it helps other ingredients absorb into the skin.

Side effects

Sesame oil contains comedogenic Palmitic fatty acids, meaning it can clog the pores of your face or hairline if you are prone to acne.

Oleic acid, which sesame oil contains a lot of, can irritate extremely dry skin types, causing inflammation in some cases.

Is sesame oil safe in skin care?

Is it safe?

Sesame oil is safe to use in skin care.

EWG rating of “1,” meaning there are no common health concerns associated with sesame oil.

If you are allergy to sesame seeds in your food, you are likely also allergic to them as a skin care ingredient.

It is a clean, non-toxic ingredient, safe during pregnancy and on baby skin.

The primary danger of sesame oil is using it for incorrectly in your custom skin care regimen or if it’s not right for your Baumann Skin Type.

Take our skin type questionnaire to shop by your skin type!

Take the Quiz

Specific uses

Because sesame oil contains such a broad array of beneficial compounds, it is used in many types of skin care products like moisturizers, sunscreens, skin lightening products, and masks.

It is also used in formulations specifically designed to treat conditions like kinds of hyperpigmentation, dry skin, wrinkles, and hair follicle damage.

Studies have found that sesame oil, (specifically its active compound sesamol) is good at preventing photodamage from damaging UV radiation. (7)

Acne

Despite the seemingly boundless benefits of sesame oil, it is unfortunately not a great choice for acne treatments.

Sesame oil is comedogenic, in part due to palmitic acid, which means it can clog the pores of acne prone skin.

That being said, it does also contain antimicrobial properties which are often good for acne treatments.

If it was not comedogenic, it would be good for acne.

If you are acne prone but would like to include oils in your skin care regimen, here are six non-comedogenic oils to consider:

Avocado oil

Borage seed oil

Grapeseed oil

Mineral oils

Rose oil

Shea Butter

Dark spots

This oil has lots of oleic and linoleic acid, meaning it is a weak tyrosinase inhibitor and can prevent/treat dark spots.

Just like other natural plant-based tyrosinase inhibitors, they are only really effective when used alongside other skin lightening ingredients like PAR-2 blockers or other tyrosinase inhibitors like:

Arbutin

Hexylresorcinol

Licorice extract

Niacinamide

Retinol

Rose oil

There are many ways to treat hyperpigmentation, and many related products contain natural skin lightening oils.

Sesame oil for dry skin

Sesame oil contains tons of linoleic fatty acids and some hydrating saturated fatty acids like stearic and palmitic acid.

Linoleic fatty acids are soothing, anti-inflammatory, and great in barrier repair moisturizers.

Because it also contains a high concentration of oleic acid, it can be irritating to extremely dry skin types or skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis.

Stearic and palmitic acids are also both extremely hydrating and great in many moisturizers.

Hair care

Sesame oil is rich in hydrating fatty acids as well as the valuable compound sesamol, which is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredient.

Sesame oil can be great for repairing damaged follicles or protecting hair from sun damage.

Moisturizing hair follicles is an important part of healthy hair growth if you have a dry scalp.

If your skin is susceptible to acne, be cautious to avoid getting sesame oil on your hair line; it can result in acne on the forehead.

Five other great hair oils are:

Avocado oil

Almond oil

Argan oil

Jojoba oil

Tea tree oil

UV protection

Sesame oil has demonstrated remarkable UV protective qualities in studies.(1)

Sesame oil is a good ingredient for sunscreens because it directly protects the skin from sun damage by absorbing UV radiation.

Because it is such a safe, sustainable, and affordable ingredient, it can be found in many sunscreens or SPF skin products.

Which products contain sesame seed oil?

Here is our complete collection of skin care products with sesame oil! Be sure to take the Baumann Skin Type quiz to make sure sesame oil is right for your skin!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected