Hi, there!
Do you use sesame oil for your skin? If not, you are dead wrong, as you are missing a lot, depriving your skin of a natural treasure!
In a moment, I will highlight the most critical sesame oil benefits for you, but today we will delve into a topic which explains how sesame oil reacts with your skin.
You will learn the answer to an essential question: is sesame oil comedogenic, and how will this fact determine your usage of sesame oil for massage and other purposes?
Why should you use sesame oil?
I will give you a few arguments why avoiding sesame oil would be a mistake:
1. It is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds and used from ancient times.
Just think about it – would it be so prevalent throughout the ages if it wasn’t precious? 
2. It contains fatty acids (like oleic and linoleic acid). Your body needs them to survive. They oppose free radicals and have anti-ageing properties.
3. It is rich in minerals (like copper, calcium, and magnesium). Thus your bones remain healthy, and you help yourself avoid osteoporosis.
4. Vitamins (like vitamins E and K) are part of its formula, as well. Did you know you need vitamin E, which helps your blood get clogged?
5. It detoxifies the skin, holding moisture within the skin cells, and is a natural sunscreen, keeping the UV sunlight away.
6. It is suitable for skin wounds, cuts, and cracked heels.
7. It is one of a kind of massage oil, perfect for aromatherapy.
You can apply sesame oil only or blend it with other carrier and essential oils. Such blends decrease stress and pressure, refresh and strengthen the body, rejuvenate you, calm your emotions, and make you feel better!
All these oils are absorbed through your skin and cause positive physiological changes.
Just imagine – you are tired, in a bad mood, and upset. Instead of drinking headache pills or worrying about negative thoughts, you (and your partner) are doing a great massage that tames the negative talk in your mind!
And sesame oil plays a central role there.
Okay, now you know why you should include sesame oil in your skincare solutions. But let’s get back to the other core topic today:
Is sesame oil comedogenic?
To answer this question, let’s first see what does this mean? The term “comedogenic” comes from the word “comedo,” According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means
a small bump or blemish on the skin (as of the face or back), usually containing a plug of sebum in a skin pore: such as open comedo (blackhead) or closed comedo (whitehead).
These comedos, or pimples, are caused by clogged pores. The pores are those tiny holes in our skin. Sometimes we can see them scrutinizing our skin.
What’s the role of pores? They are the home of the hair follicles. When the body produces more sebum than needed, combined with the dead cells on the skin surface, it can clog the pores.
This is how we get these unpleasant pimples, called blackheads or whiteheads.
Here comes the question: Can some carrier oils facilitate the process of clogging pores? What about sesame oil?
To clarify that, skin experts have created a so-called comedogenic index.
It is, in fact, a 6-point scale, where the lower the index, the lower the probability that oil is comedogenic. Here is the meaning of the range:
0 – Not likely to clog pores
1 – Low
2 – Moderately Low
3 – Moderate
4 – Fairly High
5 – High
What is the comedogenic index of sesame oil?
Sesame oil is indexed as moderately low comedogenic. It is in one group with oils like avocado, grape seed, and olive oil.
All of them are proven and excellent “allies” of your skin. Index 2 means that sesame oil has a low ability and tendency to clog your pores.
Sesame oil has another beautiful property: the skin very well absorbs it. The result? You don’t feel greasy, which is another thumbs up for using it as a massage oil.
To wrap it up
Use sesame oil with pleasure, irrespective if you treat acne, cracked feet, or skin burn, protect yourself from the sun, or give yourself and your partner a massage. It is in the right relationship with your skin, and you should not worry about its comedogenicity level.
Mixed with other oils and compounds, it will bring you to the next level of experience. You can find on the market proven natural cosmetic formulas, including sesame oil.
What is your next step? Search and test products which work well for your skin. Now you are familiar with one more instrument to treat yourself in the best possible way!
I would love to hear from you! Do you (plan to) use sesame oil? Leave me a message, and I will answer you!
Take action and take care:)
Valeria
Can you provide a little bit more detail about how well it serves as a sunscreen?
I’ve read recently that a lot of sunscreens are toxic and can cause skin damage and lead to cancer (no idea how true it is), but I’ve been looking for a natural remedy. Would sesame oil be similar to a 10 SPF or something higher?
Hi, Craig,
Sesame oil itself cannot beat all these synthetic-based sunscreens, and they are stronger for sure. But what you can do it so use natural-based sunscreens, which are tested and have proven SPF, pointed in the label. They include a lot of natural compounds, which are not toxic, at the same time protect your skin from the sun.
Hope this helps, and wish you a lovely summer:)
Valeria
Had no idea sesame oil actually detoxes the skin. Would suggest sesame oil for both men and women?
Hi, Jordan,
Yes, sesame oil detoxifying properties are unusual! Don’t miss it! Sesame oil works perfectly for both men and women.
Wish you all the best,
Valeria
This is really interesting, I’d never considered using sesame oil on my skin but your article is very informative and has given me a lot to think about, thanks for posting.
Hi, Amy,
Thank you for your comment! I am happy I gave you food for thought concerning sesame oil, and I hope from now on you will start using it for your skin!
Wish you good luck,
Valeria
Hi Valeria – Thanks for providing this information. I have never considered sesame oil as something to put on my body instead of just in it. I’ll have to look into using this on my eczema prone skin!
Hi, Christen,
Thank you for stopping by! Many people don’t know about sesame oil benefits for skin and think it is only proper to eat it! Give it a try and massage yourself with a product, including sesame oil in its recipe – you will feel the difference for your eczema prone skin:)
Wish you a great experience!
Valeria
Hello Valeria
Sesam oils seem to be a miracle cure for the skin. In your previous post, you shared great recipes of masks containing sesame oil and I learned about the great benefits of this oil. Until then I really hadn´t thought of using sesame oil for anything else but adding it for salad dressings or cooking.
With this post, you have added more interesting details. Can I buy the oil from the grocery store or are there special sesame oils in cosmetic stores or pharmacies which I should choose for the skin?
Always enjoy reading your engaging posts!
Pernilla
Hi, Pernilla,
Yes, there might be nuances between sesame oil produced for cosmetic purposes, and for cooking. There are types, like dark sesame oil, light sesame oil, cold-pressed sesame oil, organic sesame oil, or even chili sesame oil. When you buy it from a physical store, depending on what you need, you may need to choose between a grocery store or a cosmetic store.
It is the same with buying sesame oil from e-commerce stores or marketplaces, like Amazon, and eBay. All you have to do is to select the appropriate department (whether Food, or Beauty), and to read the product instructions, to see the application scope of the sesame oil.
Hope this helps, and wish you good luck:)
Valeria
Thanks a lot, Valeria, for your helpful answer. There are indeed, many different kinds of sesame oils. You have presented many, many other kinds of healthy oils here at your site. What I like about sesame oil is that you say it doesn’t make you feel greasy.
Pernilla
Hi, Pernilla,
I am very happy that I helped:)
Enjoy your sesame oil:)
Valeria
Hi Valeria,
I have enjoyed reading your post for natural skin care. I am 64 years old & have had major issues with my face for years. Deep folliculitis that is slow in healing. I have scares & hyperpigmentation from years of breakouts. I quit going to dermatologist because they would not listen to my explanation of what I was dealing with. Nothing they ever gave me helped. I have been avoiding using much because I was afraid of causing more problems. Now my face has become extremely dry.
Since I found your site, I have read where Jojoba oil & Shea Butter were good for your skin & not comedogenic. I have been using the 2 products for the last few days & I can’t believe the difference in my face. No breakouts or irritation. I also read where you said Sesame Oil & Guarana are also good for skin problems. Do you have any recipes for mixing these products or others, for the benefits of all, to use on my skin? Also, can you recommend face wash & a brand of makeup to use? I try reading ingredients, but I don’t understand what is good or harmful.
Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Brenda Wilson
Hi Brenda,
Thank you very much for your message – much appreciated!
I am so happy to understand you feel better now, using Jojoba oil and shea butter:)
I will check out if I can find any recipes with sesame oil and guarana and come back to you if/when I find some good ones!
As for recommending good face products: we are offering fantastic natural products for face under our own brand (Pure Skin Formula). I mean a few kinds of soaps and face masks. I and my family use them a lot. The customers are mostly satisfied, as well.
But the products are sold in Amazon in Europe. I suppose you are located in the USA? If this is the case, unfortunately, it won’t be able to get them.
Still, I plan to research what good quality products are offered on the American market and when I find interesting and trustful products, I will share the info with you!
Thank you very much, again!
Stay safe and have an amazing December!
Valeria