Sesame Oil Benefits For Skin: The Ayurvedic Elixir For Youthful Glow

Travellers have journeyed miles chasing the ‘Fountain Of Youth’—a mythical source of beauty & vitality. But what if we told you this secret source is present in your kitchen? We are talking about sesame seed oil—a time-tested beauty elixir for radiant and rejuvenated skin.

Laced with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, this oil not just moisturises, but improves your overall skin health. This blog lists all of the sesame oil benefits for the skin and also talks about how you can incorporate it into your daily skincare. 

So keep reading!

5 Science-Backed Benefits Of Sesame Oil For Your Skin

Let’s explore some of the ways in which sesame oil benefits your skin.

1. Hydrates The Skin

Sesame oil acts as an excellent emollient. When applied topically, it forms a protective barrier that softens the skin and prevents water loss from its surface.

2. Protects Against Sun Damage

Sesame oil may act as a natural sunscreen that shields your skin from sun damage. So while it may not be able to replace your actual sunscreen, you can use it for an added layer of protection and nourishment.

3. Prevents Premature Aging

The oil is rich in antioxidants which protect the skin against free-radical damage—a phenomenon closely related to the aging process. By helping to protect your skin against sun damage and keeping it hydrated, it also prevents the formation of wrinkles.

4. Treats Burns

Studies have found that sesame seed oil can treat burns and help heal wounds. The oil acts as a nutritional boost to your skin which can help repair and rejuvenate damaged skin.

5. Prevents Infections

The oil from sesame seeds has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. And that’s why it can be used to inhibit microbial growth and prevent infections.2

A Deep Dive Into Sesame Oil Nutrients

Sesame oil is rich in the following nutrients:

1. Fats

Being an oil crop with excellent oil yield, sesame seeds are rich in several unsaturated fatty acids. These include oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, etc. Additionally, they are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Protein

Sesame seeds contain a variety of protein fractions like albumin, globulin (α and β), prolamin, and glutelin. They’re also a rich source of essential and non-essential amino acids which are important for synthesising proteins.

3. Vitamins

Sesame seeds contain numerous vitamins like Vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, ascorbic acid and tocopherols. Among these, Vitamin E is the most abundant, with black sesame seeds containing over 50mg per 100g of seeds.

4. Minerals

They’re also a source of many minerals like Potassium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Sodium, Iron, Zinc and Manganese.

5. Dietary Fiber

The hull left behind after sesame oil extraction from the seeds is rich in dietary fibre (both soluble and insoluble). Therefore, they’re often used to make a variety of nutritional supplements that aid digestion and improve bowel movement.

Is It Safe To Use Sesame Oil On Your Skin?

Regular use of sesame oil on your skin is generally considered safe. It may even have many potential benefits for your skin, thanks to its anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and anti-bacterial properties. That’s also why many skincare, cosmetic and pharma brands frequently use sesame oil in their formulations. Studies have shown that the oil does not cause irritation or sensitivity even when used in full concentration.

However, for added safety, it’s advisable that you do a patch test before starting a full-fledged skincare routine using sesame oil.

Trivia: While your skin may love sesame oil, your taste buds should proceed with caution. That’s because the FDA has classified sesame as a major food allergen!8

How to Use Sesame Oil for Maximum Skin Benefits

You can directly apply sesame oil to your skin and give it a good massage till it’s fully absorbed. Alternatively, you can mix it in another oil of your choice to maximise the benefits. 

If you’re using it as a moisturiser, you can apply it after washing your face while it’s still moist. Studies suggest that sesame oil may even help heal wounds and prevent sunburns. You can also use it for spot treatment and as a sunscreen.

And if you’re a new mom, there’s more good news! You can enjoy the benefits of sesame oil in our postnatal massage oil, specially formulated for new mothers. It’s a natural blend of 6 oils including sesame oil and ghee along with 24 herb extracts which can help you relax and rejuvenate. If you’re consistent, regular massage with the oil can also help improve your breast milk supply!

What Are Some Other Uses Of Sesame Oil? 

Besides its use as a moisturiser, sesame oil also can also be used for several other purposes such as:

1. A Cooking Oil

Using sesame oil as a cooking medium can have many health benefits. It’s loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that provide nourishment to the body. It can also help lower cholesterol levels, regulate blood lipids and protect your liver, heart and kidneys. Moreover, the oil has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties.

2. A Massage Oil

Sesame oil has pain-relieving properties. Studies have shown that it can help relieve pain severity in chemotherapy patients and those with injury-related limb pain.

3. A Base For Cosmetics

Multiple brands use sesame oil as a base for making cosmetics such as eye shadow creams, lipsticks, blush and face powders.

4. A Carrier Oil For Drugs

Pharmaceutical companies use sesame oil as a carrying agent for transferring the drugs through the skin barrier.

5. A Bio-Fuel

Biofuel made of sesame oil can be used to power engines—delivering the same efficiency as mineral diesel.

6. A Wood Protection Agent

The oil can be used in combination with other agents to tackle the termite problem in trees and wooden furniture.

7. In Ink Making

Burning sesame oil releases pigmented fumes which are used for making high-grade ink.

Wrapping Up

Regular use of sesame oil can have multiple benefits for your skin. It serves as an excellent moisturiser and skin protectant that prevents infections, sun damage and premature ageing. Other than skincare, the oil is used in several households and industries for different purposes like cooking and manufacturing makeup and massage oils.

To avail the benefits of sesame oil, consider making it a staple in your kitchen. And if you wish to relax and rejuvenate your skin with the goodness of a sesame oil massage, don’t forget to try AreoVeda’s Post Natal Massage Oil. Visit www.areoveda.in for more information.