Sesame Oil on Skin and Hair: Evidence and Safety

Quick safety points

• Sesame is a common food allergen. A literature review (a preprint, not yet peer reviewed) found case reports of hives after sesame-containing cosmetics, and some people also reacted to eating sesame. If you or your child is allergic to sesame, ask an allergist before putting sesame oil on skin. [1]
• A review of 396 skincare products for eczema found that about 1 in 3 (32.1%) contained a derivative of a major food allergen, and sesame was among the common ones. Read ingredient lists, including "Sesamum indicum" (the Latin name for sesame). [2]
• Cochrane reviewers who pooled infant skin-care trials found that emollients (skin moisturizers) probably do not prevent eczema, may raise the risk of food allergy, and probably raise the risk of skin infection. These trials were not about sesame oil specifically. [3]
• A meta-analysis of sesame oil trials on skin called for better safety reporting and for checking the purity and strength of the oil. The abstracts we read do not list side effects. [5]
• Do a small patch test first. See patch testing natural oils and butters. Stop and get care for hives, swelling or trouble breathing.

What sesame oil is

Sesame oil comes from the seeds of Sesamum indicum, an annual plant grown in warm regions. The oil is pressed from the seeds. It is sold cold-pressed (pressed without added heat), refined (treated to give a pale, mild oil) and toasted (made from roasted seeds; dark and strongly scented). Its main fats are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, with a smaller share of saturated fat; for the food values see the dietary sesame oil page. On skin it feels medium to light: it spreads easily, soaks in fairly well and can leave a slight sheen. We did not find a source we read that measures this, so treat the feel as a general description.

How it is used

• Body and baby massage: in many South Asian homes, sesame-based and other oils are rubbed on babies and adults. [6]
• Ayurvedic oil massage (abhyanga): abhyanga is the Ayurvedic name for warm-oil self-massage and baby massage. See our page on abhyanga oil massage.
• Hair and scalp: oiling hair and scalp is a widespread custom; a review of hair oils says most act mainly as emollients (they soften and coat). [7]
• Mouth: "oil pulling" is swishing oil in the mouth. Sesame oil is one of the oils used in dental studies. [8][9][10]
• Food: a cooking and finishing oil. See sesame oil as food.

Traditional use (not proof)

In a survey of 1,497 caregivers of children under 18 months in two Indian states, 93.8% massaged their babies, almost all using oil, and a sesame-based oil was the top choice in Maharashtra (36%). Families said massage made bones stronger and helped sleep and growth; 95% saw no harm. [6] A survey of 145 first-time mothers in Kerala found 71% massaged their baby with oil; coconut oil, not sesame, was used most (75.9%), and 94.5% did not know the word "abhyanga". [11] A scoping review of African newborn practices (23 studies) found families use emollients and massage for warmth, growth and infection protection; the abstract does not say which oils. [12] These are reports of what families do and believe. They do not show that sesame oil makes babies stronger or healthier. A review of Persian traditional medicine texts likewise describes oil anointing for children, and its authors say reported side effects are minimal, but it is a review of old texts and small studies. [13]

What research shows

Trials of sesame oil on skin are few, small and mostly from Iran. We found no trial of sesame oil for infant weight gain, dry skin or eczema, for hair growth, or for arthritis.

The IV-line and injury studies tested a topical oil on the skin over a vein or injury, not a general moisturizer. The abstracts we read do not say whether the oil was cold-pressed, refined or a blend.

Lab findings: sesamol, a compound found in sesame, improved skin-barrier markers in skin cells in a dish. Cells in a dish do not show what happens on your skin. [16] A large sesame meta-analysis on blood pressure covers eating sesame, not skin use, so we do not use it here.

Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for sesame oil growing hair, treating dandruff or acne, or being a sunscreen.

Claims checked

• "Sesame oil makes babies stronger or helps them grow." Caregivers say so. [6] We found no controlled trial of sesame oil in babies. One Cochrane review of emollient trials in infants found no eczema prevention and possibly more food allergy. [3]
• "Sesame oil grows or thickens hair." The hair-oil review we read says most oils work as emollients; it does not report a sesame hair-growth trial. [7] Proper evidence not found.
• "Sesame oil protects skin from the sun." Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.
• "Sesame oil heals wounds or prevents blood clots." Trials covered phlebitis, pain and radiotherapy skin burn. Results are small and mixed, and none is about healing open wounds. [4][5][14][15]
• "It detoxifies the body through the skin." No source we read supports this. See also Ayurvedic detox and cleanse claims.
• "Natural oils on baby skin are safe because they are natural." Safety depends on the oil and the child. For allergy, see above. [1][3]

Forms, grades and why they matter

• Cold-pressed: pressed without added heat. A systematic review says cold-pressed oils keep more unsaturated fats and plant compounds than refined oils, but are also more easily damaged by air and light. [17] It does not discuss sesame specifically.
• Refined: milder smell and lighter colour. We did not find a source we read on whether refined sesame oil carries less allergy risk on skin, so do not assume it does.
• Toasted: dark, strongly scented, made from roasted seeds and sold mainly for cooking. We found no skin-safety source specific to it; a strong scent may bother sensitive skin, but we cannot cite a source for this.
• Cosmetic versus food grade, and "Ayurvedic" medicated oils: we did not find a source we read comparing them. Read the label for added fragrance or other herbs, and see cosmetic grade vs food grade oils. A meta-analysis of sesame oil trials asked for purity and potency checks. [5]

Safety and cautions

• Allergy: see Quick safety points. A review of contact urticaria (hives that start within minutes of touching something) explains that reactions can be allergic and, rarely, serious; people at risk should carry adrenaline and avoid the trigger. It does not mention sesame specifically. [18]
• Babies: a preprint review advised delaying skin use of vegetable oils in infants until after foods are introduced. This is one unreviewed paper, not a guideline. [1] Cochrane found possible harm from emollients in general. [3] Ask your child's doctor. See natural oils for baby skin and massage.
• Skin cancer or medical treatment: the radiotherapy study used a particular ointment under a research protocol. Do not apply anything to treated skin without your cancer team's approval. [15]
• IV lines and medical devices: do not put oil on a drip site yourself.
• Mouth: oil pulling studies report plaque and gum outcomes; one report notes people with keratosis may have adverse effects. [9] Never swallow the swished oil, and do not give it to young children. See coconut oil pulling.
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding, pets and medicines: not covered by the sources we read on topical sesame oil.

Quality and storage

We did not find a source we read that gives storage times for sesame oil. In general, oils rich in unsaturated fats spoil more easily with air, light and heat. [17] See rancidity and storage of natural oils. If it smells sharp or like old paint, do not use it on skin.

Related pages

• Sesame oil as food
• Carrier oils explained
• Check before you use natural oils and butters
• Patch testing natural oils and butters
• Natural oils for baby skin and massage
• Sesame seeds and sesame allergy basics