11 Benefits of Sesame Oil for Skin You Need to Know

Sesame oil, widely used in various spectrums of Asian cooking, is familiar to most of us, isn’t it?

But did you know that the oil extracted from these tiny white and black seeds has incredible benefits for skin repair? Probably not, right? The benefits of sesame oil for the skin range from acting as a natural moisturizer to helping combat signs of aging.

Packed with beneficial nutrients, sesame oil is one of the best natural alternatives to over-the-counter skincare products, offering a pathway to healthy, flawless skin.

In this article, we’ll explore the amazing benefits of sesame oil for the skin, helping you achieve not just flawless skin, but a healthier version of it.

Why Sesame Oil for Skin?

Sesame oil, also known as gingelly oil, is not only a staple in the culinary world but also a powerful ingredient for skincare. Rich in essential vitamins like Vitamin E and B-complex, this nourishing oil helps revitalize the skin by removing rough, dead skin cells that contribute to a dull and pigmented complexion.

One of the key components of sesame oil is linolenic acid, which gives it distinctive antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. These help eliminate harmful microbes from the skin—many of which you might not even know exist.

Sesame oil is also packed with essential minerals such as copper, manganese, calcium, and magnesium, which support skin regeneration and overall skin health. Its high antioxidant content makes it even more beneficial for facial care.

Sesame oil deeply penetrates the skin, nourishing it from within. It promotes softness while eliminating dryness and flakiness for a smoother, healthier appearance.

Also, Read: 20 Benefits of Sesame Seeds You Didn’t Know of

What are the Benefits of Sesame Oil on Skin?

Just as we’ve explored why sesame oil is considered one of the best oils for facial and skin application, this section will walk you through its key benefits and how it helps address common skin concerns.

1. Slows Down the Aging Process
2. Cures Acne
3. Helps in Skin Whitening
4. Moisturizes Dry Skin
5. Unclogs Skin Pores
6. Reduces Wrinkles
7. Treats Damaged Skin
8. Acts as a Natural Sunscreen
9. Relieves Sunburn
10. Helps in Scar Removal
11. Reduces Dark Spots

1. Slowing Down Aging Process

One of sesame oil’s most effective benefits is its ability to delay the signs of skin aging. While aging is a natural process, several external factors, such as environmental stressors and lifestyle habits, can accelerate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

A major contributor to premature aging, the excessive presence of free radicals in the body damages healthy cells and accelerates cellular aging.

Sesame oil helps combat this process due to its rich antioxidant content (R). These antioxidants neutralize free radicals, helping to slow down the visible signs of aging and keep the skin looking youthful and radiant.

How to Use:

• Mix sesame oil with a few drops of lavender oil and store it in a sealed bottle.
• Take a small amount in your palm and apply it to your face as a night cream.
• Massage gently in circular motions to allow the oil to absorb into the skin.

How Often: Use every night before bed for the best results.

Also, Read: Healthy Aging: Tips and Habits for a Vibrant Life After 50

2. Cures Acne

Sesame oil is an excellent remedy for those with acne-prone skin. Unlike many other oils that can clog pores, the linoleic acid in sesame oil helps prevent pore blockages while flushing out dirt and impurities.

Additionally, sesame oil’s antibacterial properties (R) play a crucial role in inhibiting the growth and proliferation of acne-causing bacteria, reducing breakouts, and promoting clearer skin.

How to Use:

1. Use a facial steamer to open your pores or apply after a warm shower.
2. Apply a small amount of sesame oil to your face and gently massage in circular motions.
3. Wash off the oil and finish by splashing cold water or using ice to close the pores.

How Often: 3-4 times a week

Also, Read: Fungal Acne vs. Bacterial Acne: Spot the Difference and Treat Effectively

3. Helps in Skin Whitening

Using face packs with sesame oil can reduce hyperpigmentation and even out the skin tone caused by scarring or other skin concerns.

However, sesame oil alone may not deliver the desired results for skin brightening. To enhance its effectiveness, it is best combined with other ingredients that support skin lightening and promote a more even complexion.

The antibacterial (R), antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of sesame oil also help keep skin issues like acne and pimples at bay, further contributing to a healthier, more radiant look.

How to Use:

1. Mix one tablespoon of rice flour with one tablespoon of sesame oil.
2. Add one teaspoon of lemon juice and blend until a smooth paste forms.
3. Apply the mixture evenly over your face.
4. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
5. Rinse off with water.

How Often: 2-3 times a week

4. Moisturizes Dry Skin

Like many other natural oils, sesame oil is rich in beneficial compounds and essential fatty acids that provide excellent moisturizing benefits (R) for those with dry and scaly skin. Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, it deeply nourishes the skin, making it one of the best natural remedies for hydration.

Sesame oil penetrates the skin effectively, softening rough and dry patches that are common concerns for many people worldwide. If the strong, nutty scent of sesame oil is too intense, you can dilute it with a carrier oil for a more pleasant application.

How to Use:

1. Mix a few drops of sesame oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
2. Apply the blend to your face and other areas prone to dryness.
3. Gently massage it into the skin and allow it to absorb fully.

How Often: Twice daily for best results

5. Unclogs Skin Pores

Having naturally oily skin might seem like an advantage to some, but for those who deal with it daily, it can feel like an ongoing struggle. Excess oil often leads to clogged pores, which in turn contribute to pimples and acne breakouts.

Applying oil to already oily skin may seem counterproductive, but sesame oil is an exception. Unlike some oils that can worsen clogged pores, sesame oil actually helps to unclog them and balance oil production.

The linolenic acid in sesame oil helps regulate sebum secretion (R) and maintain a healthy oil balance on the skin. Additionally, it promotes blood circulation, which further helps control excess oil and improve overall skin health.

How to Use:

1. Pour a few drops of sesame oil onto your palm.
2. Gently massage it into your skin, ensuring even distribution.
3. Allow the oil to absorb completely.

How Often: Once daily, preferably before bed

Also, Read: How To Treat Oily Skin Effectively With Natural Products

6. Reduces Wrinkles

Wrinkles are one of the most obvious signs of aging. Sesame oil is highly effective in preventing and reducing wrinkles due to its antioxidant properties (R), which help combat free radical damage. Moreover, its moisturizing and skin-tightening effects make it a powerful natural remedy for maintaining youthful, firm skin.

However, before applying sesame oil to your face, always perform a patch test to check for any allergic reactions.

How to Use:

1. Mix a few drops of sesame oil with carrier oil such as coconut or almond oil.
2. Distribute it well on your face.
3. Massage your skin in a circular motion and let it soak in the skin.

How Often: Use it every night before sleep. Leave it on overnight for effective results. 

Also, Read: Coconut Oil for Wrinkle Treatment

7. Repaires Damaged Skin

Damaged skin can also be manifested as excessively dry skin, dehydrated skin, redness of the face, or hyperpigmentation. Sesame oil is a great natural healing agent to restore damaged skin as it contains high nutrient values, vitamins, and essential minerals (R).

The viscosity is quite thick in this oil so that it deeply penetrates the skin to provide nourishment and rejuvenation from the inside.

How to Use:

1. Mix a few drops of sesame oil with a carrier oil of your choice (such as coconut or almond oil).
2. Apply the mixture to the affected areas or all over the face.
3. Gently massage it into the skin using circular motions.
4. Leave it on and allow it to absorb fully.

How Often: Once or twice daily for best results.

8. Acts as a Natural Sunscreen

This idea of using only oil as a sunscreen seems a bit scary, but sesame oil is said to have natural sun-protective properties. Instead of damaging the skin, it creates a protective barrier (R) that reduces the impact of harsh UV radiation and prevents sunburns and other damage to the skin.

The antioxidants and Vitamin E in sesame oil further enhance this protection by neutralizing free radicals that contribute to aging and damage to the skin.

How to Use:

1. Mix a few drops of sesame oil with a carrier oil like carrot seed oil.
2. Apply the mixture uniformly over the face and body as a natural sunscreen.

How Often: Apply 20-30 minutes before sun exposure for best results.

Also, Read: Sunscreen Myths Debunked: Protecting Skin Under Changing Climate

9. Relieves Sunburn

More than just a natural sunblock, sesame oil is potent for relieving sunburn caused by excessive time under the scorching sun. Its moisturizing and skin-healing properties reduce redness, burning, and irritation.

Paired with aloe vera gel, it soothes and relieves sunburnt skin dryness, itch, and discomfort.

How to Use:

1. Mix a few drops of sesame oil with aloe vera gel.
2. Gently rub on the sunburnt areas.
3. Avoid rubbing harshly, as it causes irritation.

How Often: Apply 2-3 times daily until redness and burning are gone.

10. Helps in Scar Removal

One of the most outstanding benefits of sesame oil for skin is its scar-healing capability. Due to its zinc content, sesame oil facilitates cell and tissue regeneration, enabling scars to heal internally.

If you’re wondering how sesame oil aids in scar removal, the answer lies in its exfoliating properties. While zinc repairs damaged tissues (R), the fatty acid chains in sesame oil promote new cell growth and exfoliate dead skin cells, gradually fading scars over time.

How to Use:

1. Mix 10 drops each of sesame oil, helichrysum oil, and lavender oil in a bowl.
2. Store the mixture in a small vial for future use.
3. Apply a few drops on your palm and rub it onto the scar directly.
4. Massage gently and leave it.

How Often: You should apply this several times during the day to achieve the best results. Make sure that the scar is completely healed and closed before using this remedy.

Also, Read: 15 Natural Remedies For Old Scars – Fasten The Healing!

11. Reduces Dark Spots

Dark spots can be a sign of hyperpigmentation or caused by acne scars, so the skin is uneven and blemished.

Fortunately, sesame oil is full of essential nutrients and vitamins that can help remove dark spots effectively. Being rich in Vitamin E and strong antioxidants (R), it flushes out toxins that contribute to skin dullness.

It also helps decongest the pores, unblock the dust that has remained trapped, and provide deep moisturization, leaving the skin soft and healthy. Its anti-inflammatory property helps lower redness associated with acne breakouts and pimples.

How to Use:

1. Massage sesame oil very gently onto your skin so the skin absorbs well.
2. Let sit.
3. If the aroma or texture feels too intense, blend it with a carrier oil (such as jojoba or almond oil) for the same benefits.

How Often: Use 1–2 times daily for best results.

How to Choose and Where to Buy Sesame Oil?

Just like any other cosmetic oil, choosing the right sesame oil is crucial to maximize skin benefits while avoiding unwanted side effects. To enjoy the full benefits of sesame oil in healing and rejuvenating your skin, it’s important to select the right type.

Types of Sesame Oil for Skin

There are three types of sesame oil commonly used for topical application:

1. Refined Sesame Oil: Processed and may lose some of the good properties
2. Unrefined Sesame Oil: Natural nutrients are retained; therefore, this is the best oil for skincare
3. Organic Sesame Oil: Chemicals and additives-free oil, thus giving pure benefits to the skin

Important: Never use toasted sesame oil as it loses many of its good properties due to the heating process. Also, never use sesame oil that is meant for cooking. Use only those that are specifically indicated for skincare.

Storage Tips

• Store sesame oil in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to keep it potent.
• Sesame oil, with its high antioxidant content, lasts long. However, check for freshness before buying.
• When purchasing from a supermarket, select first-pressed pure sesame oil with no additives or preservatives, as these can affect your skin.

Selecting good quality sesame oil will ensure you get the required results to have healthy, nourished skin safely.

Buy Organic Pure Sesame Oil Handcraft Blends

Buy Neutrogena Body Oil Light Sesame Formula

Conclusion

Sesame oil is much more than just a kitchen item. It has proven to be an excellent natural remedy for healthy, radiant skin. From moisturizing dry skin deep down to reducing signs of aging and protection against sun damage, its benefits are simply wonderful.

Sesame oil offers holistic care for your skin, as it contains all the necessary nutrients, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties to heal and rejuvenate it.

Unlocking the full potential of sesame oil for radiant, flawless skin begins with choosing the right type of sesame oil and incorporating it into your routine. So, why not try this ancient beauty secret and experience its wonders firsthand?

• Sep 2018
  Written by Somapika D
• Feb 2025
  Edited by Lakshmi Gayatri