9 Benefits Of Sesame Oil For Skin & How To Use It

Have you ever used sesame oil for your skincare? If not, then you have been missing a lot of benefits it brings to your skin.

Loaded with multiple nourishing components, sesame oil is a gift to human skin. Read this article to know how it works for your skin and what are the best ways to use it.

Let's begin!

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

“Sesame oil penetrates even the minute channels of your skin tissue quickly and helps in nourishing and detoxifying its deepest layers.”

Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

Highlights:

• Is Sesame Oil Good For Skin?
• What Are The Benefits Of Using Sesame Oil On Your Skin?
• How To Use Sesame Oil For Glowing Skin?
• What Side Effects Does Sesame Oil Have?
• Can We Apply Sesame Oil On Face Overnight?
• Ayurvedic Benefits Of Applying Sesame Oil On The Face
• Which Type Of Sesame Oil Is Best For The Skin?
• Other Uses Of Sesame Oil

Is Sesame Oil Good For Skin?

Sesame oil is rich in vitamins A, B, and E, which help in protecting your skin cells from environmental damage caused by different toxins, pollutants, and UV radiation. It contains several essential fatty acids such as oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, etc. that helps in moisturizing and hydrating your skin.

Sesame oil contains phenolic compounds such as sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin, tocopherol, pinoresinol, etc. which makes it exhibit strong anti-inflammatory [1] and antioxidant properties [2] that keep your skin in good health.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Sesame Oil On Your Skin?

1. Protects From UV Radiation

Sesame oil contains rich antioxidants which neutralize the oxidizing effect on your skin cells caused by free radicals [4] and UV radiation. Sesame oil is also an effective treatment for sunburns.

Scientific studies revealed that sesame oil has potential radioprotective agents and can resist up to 30% UV rays.

2. Treats Acne

The antibacterial properties [5] of sesame oil make it an ideal home remedy to eliminate your blackheads, whiteheads, and other types of stubborn acne.

3. Moisturizes Dry Skin

With the powerful combination of linoleic acid and fatty acids, sesame oil is one of the best natural moisturizers for your dry skin [6]. It forms a protective layer on your skin while trapping in moisture. It also makes your skin softer and brighter.

4. Reverses Premature Aging Signs

The vitamins and fatty acids present in sesame oil help in repairing the damaged skin cells and reducing enlarged pores, wrinkles, and fine lines on your skin.

Researches conducted by the Department of Pharmaceutics, confirmed that sesamol present in sesame oil is effective in preventing photo-ageing or photo-damage of skin.

5. Balances Skin pH

The polyphenols present in sesame oil works to restore the natural balance of your skin barrier, which in turn, prevents your skin from getting too oily or too dry.

6. Exfoliates Dead Skin

Sesame oil acts as a natural cleanser for your skin and aids in the removal of accumulated sebum, dead skin, dirt, other pollutants and oil-soluble toxins from your skin pores gently. This, in turn, brightens your skin tone and makes your skin supple and smooth.

7. Heals Damaged Skin

Massaging sesame oil into the skin enhances blood circulation and nutritional supply to your skin. This leads to the rapid recovery of damaged skin as sesame oil boosts the cell renewal process and repairs scar tissues.

A study performed by the Department of Pharmacolog, revealed that ozonated sesame oil is effective in treating wounds as it boosts collagen production.

8. Treats Skin Conditions

Sesame oil is also effective in treating skin conditions such as redness, inflammation, eczema, psoriasis, athlete’s foot [7], etc. The vitamins B and E present in sesame oil helps in soothing the skin rashes besides fading the scars caused by skin conditions.

9. Prevents Skin Pigmentation

Sesame oil has natural anti-tanning properties which make it an excellent barrier against sun damage. It works as a powerful sunscreen and prevents hyperpigmentation in your skin.

Researchers from the Department of Food Science & Biotechnology, concluded that sesamol present in sesame oil is a skin-whitening agent as it inhibits melanin biosynthesis.

How To Use Sesame Oil For Glowing Skin?

• Warm-up a sufficient amount of sesame oil on a low flame. Apply it directly to your skin and massage it in gentle circular strokes for a few minutes every day. Leave it for an hour before bathing with a mild Ayurvedic cleanser. This procedure is called self-abhyanga in Ayurveda.

• Add a few drops of sesame oil to your night cream and apply it to your skin every day before bedtime.

Vedix Tip: If you have excessively oily skin or very sensitive skin, perform a patch test first on a small facial area. This will help you to understand how your skin reacts to sesame oil. Refrain yourself from using the oil if your skin produces excessive oil. Otherwise, you can add a few drops of sesame to your moisturizer or sunscreen and use it.

What Side Effects Does Sesame Oil Have?

Some of the side effects of consuming sesame oil due to aggravated Pitta may include:

• Increase in body weight
• Allergic reactions in people who have hypersensitive skin
• Skin rashes
• Appendix infection
• Diarrhea
• Anaphylaxis

In some people, consumption of sesame oil can increase the risk of developing colon cancer, diverticulitis, and miscarriage in pregnant women.

Important Note:

If you notice any of the above-mentioned symptoms or any other side effects after using sesame oil, please seek medical help immediately.

Can We Apply Sesame Oil On Face Overnight?

No. Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, doesn’t recommend applying, massaging, and leaving sesame oil (or any raw oil) on your skin overnight. Sesame oil is heavy and may clog your skin pores when applied for a long time.

Ayurvedic Benefits Of Applying Sesame Oil On The Face

“Sesame oil penetrates even the minute channels of your skin tissue quickly and helps in nourishing and detoxifying its deepest layers,” says Dr. Zeel.

Massaging your face with sesame oil helps in pacifying the aggravated Vata and Kapha doshas. This, in turn, controls different skin ailments linked to elevated Vata and Kapha doshas. However, using sesame oil can slightly increase the Pitta dosha. Hence, people who have Pitta skin type are recommended to use sesame oil in moderation.

Which Type Of Sesame Oil Is Best For The Skin?

Oil from sesame is generally extracted by two methods. The first method is a cold-pressing technique in which the sesame seeds are simply crushed to produce a pale yellow oil. The second method is toasting the sesame seeds on heat which produces oil in a darker shade and has a different flavor.

It is best to use cold-pressed sesame oil for your skin as it retains different components that benefit your skin such as high amounts of fatty acids when compared to hot-processed sesame oil. In Ayurveda, cold-pressed sesame oil is used for healing different types of skin ailments.

However, if you have acne-prone skin, then it is recommended to use Taila Paka oil made of sesame for your skin as it is non-comedogenic. Dr. Zeel recommends using sesame oil which is free of chemicals and other impurities.

In a study published by Acne Research Institute, refined sesame oil is found to have a comedogenic rating of 1 while unrefined sesame oil has 3.

Other Uses Of Sesame Oil

Besides being used for your skincare, sesame oil can also be used in many other ways. They are:

1. Hair Growth Treatment

Sesame oil is nutrient-rich, helping in your scalp nourishment. It has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which keep your follicles in good health and promote stronger hair growth.

2. Mouthwash Or Oil Pulling (Gandusha)

Sesame oil can be used for oil pulling for its excellent antibacterial qualities. It cleanses your teeth well and nourishes the internal tissues of your mouth. Thus, it helps in keeping dental problems at bay.

A study on oil pulling for maintaining oral hygiene concluded that sesame oil is effective in controlling plaque-induced gingivitis and free radical injuries in the oral cavity.

3. Nasya

In Ayurveda, sesame oil is also used in Ayurvedic formulations that are used for Nasya kriya (nasal installation).

4. Panchakarma

Sesame oil is used as a base oil in the preparation of several Ayurvedic medicated oils used for Panchakarma procedures.

5. Constipation Treatment

Sesame oil has effective laxative properties. If you have a constipation problem, then consuming diluted sesame oil can help you get relief.

6. Cooking Oil

In Indian households, sesame oil is used regularly as cooking oil, in pickles preparation, or salad dressings. Using sesame oils in foods may help in controlling the cholesterol, inflammation, and blood pressure in the body.

A Study on Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Effects of Sesame Oil on Atherosclerosis found that sesame oils show promising results in decreasing cholesterol and inflammation in the body.

Important Note:

Consult your doctor before including sesame oil regularly in your skincare regimen or your diet.

The Last Word

From treating acne to repairing chapped skin, sesame oil can benefit your skin in multiple ways. Incorporating sesame oil in your beauty regimen not only helps you achieve flawless skin but also promotes healthy and stronger hair growth.

At Vedix, we formulate a customized Ayurvedic skin care regimen based on the skin type that helps you deal with your unique skin concerns.