Sesame oil has been a wonderful ingredient to have in any household all over the world for thousands of years. In fact, it was one of the very first seed oils to be cultivated. After its many uses were found out, the seed oil only became more and more popular. Now it is widely available in nearly every country and every grocery store and added to many kinds of dishes.
As sesame oil is also incredibly rich in nutrients and beneficial compounds. This makes it useful for much more than just cooking. In this article, learn how to use sesame oil for its cosmetic and health purposes. Since sesame oil is good for the skin in many ways, it can even be incorporated into a daily skincare routine!
Sesame Oil’s Benefits to Nourish Skin
Sesame oil is made by cold-pressing or crushing sesame seeds – the same sesame seeds that are sprinkled on burger buns and other snacks for their delicious nutty flavor. Sesame seeds have many health benefits from the compounds in their composition. These nutrients are retained when the seeds are pressed and oil is extracted.
The oil is full of Vitamin A and Vitamin E, and both of these are extremely good for skin and certain conditions that can make your skin worse.
Have you heard of the popular skincare product called retinoids? This product is high in demand to treat acne scarring and large pores on the face. Retinoids help with tightening and clearing the skin, making it youthful and healthy. Vitamin A is the primary source for retinoids, and the skin responds very well to its treatment.
It is also very useful for treating photoaging of the face from too much UV (ultraviolet) light exposure. The retinoids signal the skin to create more collagen, which tightens the skin and improves wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and dry skin. Studies have found that by using retinoids on your skin long-term, it will not only treat the UV damage, but prevent it before it happens by strengthening the skin!
Sesame oil also has a lot of vitamin E, which is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. Vitamin E is crucial to skin cell health, as it helps them to regenerate. This means that it has similar effects as vitamin A in treating wrinkles and dull skin. It can also be used to treat acne or condition the skin to be more moisturized, soft, and supple day-to-day.
The oil’s anti-microbial properties also means it can be used to treat or prevent acne and other dermal conditions caused by microorganisms that damage the skin.
There are many oils that are safe to use on the skin, but many of these will clog your pores and make it more difficult to keep the skin completely clean. It could even cause more skincare issues if not removed properly. This property of oils is rated on the comedogenic scale, which rates how much an oil will clog pores from zero to five.
Luckily, sesame oil ranks a one on this scale. This means that sesame oil won’t stay in your pores and enlarge them or cause oily skin even after cleaning it off. In fact, it is mor3e likely to leave your face hydrated and soft. If you have dry skin, sesame oil may be the answer!
How to Use Sesame Oil in Skincare
There is no end to the ways sesame oil can be incorporated into skincare. It is a very affordable product, and widely available. Some cosmetic stores even sell special sesame oil that has been refined and extracted with the purpose of skin application.
Depending on what you want to treat, sesame oil can be applied in different ways.
- An overnight mask
Applying sesame oil and leaving it on overnight allows the vitamins to completely soak into the skin. This technique is really good at treating dry or scaley skin, and leaving the skin much more hydrated. It can also treat hyperpigmentation and acne scars. To apply, first wash your face and gently pat it dry. Oil is water resistant, so having water moisture on the skin before applying will hinder the oil’s effects. Once dry, slowly rub a few drops of sesame oil into your skin at a time. Since this will be on for several hours, its important to only use enough to moisturize your skin, not drip off your face. Let the oil sit on the skin for twenty to thirty minutes before going to bed, so it will not rub off on the sheets or pillow as much.
- Sesame oil massage
Sesame oil is so good for the skin that it can be used on the entire body – not just the face. Using sesame oil to massage your arms, legs, neck and back where acne and hyperpigmentation still occurs is a great treatment and relaxation method in one.
- At home masks
Add sesame oil to your powder face masks to apply them as a paste, or make your own face masks from ingredients at home. These face masks will only stay on for ten to thirty minutes, but are still effective in treating the skin. Apply the face mask using your fingers or a brush, after your face has been washed clean with water and dried completely. Mixing aloe vera in with the sesame oil would also be a good method to treat your skin after being in the sun all day – ensuring that it doesn’t dry out or flush from the heat.
Conclusion
Sesame oil is a tried-and-true ingredient for good skincare. It has been proven by many studies over the years that its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties have a noticeable positive effect on the skin, whether it is applied directly or ingested by using it in cooking daily. If you are interested in using sesame oil to treat your skin, purchase it from a reputable brand and make sure it is not diluted. Most importantly, patch test the oil before applying it to the face to be certain there are no adverse effects.