Sesame Seed Oil
Sesamum indicum
Sesame Seed Oil isn't as widely used as a carrier oil as other vegetable oils like Jojoba, Sweet Almond Oil or Apricot Kernel Oil. Sesame Seed Oil is a good choice, however, for massage. It should ideally be blended with other carrier oils. Otherwise, it may potentially overpower a blend. When shopping for Sesame Seed Oil for use as a carrier oil or for use in topical formulations, strive to purchase cold pressed, unrefined oils. Avoid oils that are produced from toasted sesame seeds.
In reviewing the standard specs for Sesame Seed Oil, it appears to be primarily comprised of oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid and linoeic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-6 fatty acid.
Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage by Len Price mentions that Sesame Seed Oil contains approximately 16% saturated fat, 40% oleic acid (an omega-9 fatty acid), 44% linoleic acid (an omega-6 essential fatty acid), and less than 1% alpha linolenic acid (an omega-3 essential fatty acid). [Len Price with Ian Smith and Shirley Price, Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage (United Kingdom: Riverhead, 1999), 128.]
Botanical Name
Sesamum indicum
Aroma
Faint With a Distinctively Sweet, Nutty Sesame Aroma.
Viscosity
Medium to Thick
Absorption/Feel
Leaves an Oily Film on the Skin
Color
Pale Yellow
Shelf Life
12 Months
Important Information
The information provided on AromaWeb is for educational purposes only. This data is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.
General Safety Information
Use caution when trying any new ingredient, including carrier oils on the skin or in the hair. Those with nut allergies should consult their medical practitioner before coming into contact with nut oils, butters or other nut products. Do not take any oils internally without consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Safety information can be found by visiting the Safety Information page. For very in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand.
Carrier Oil Book Suggestions
Click on a book's title to view details and read a full review for the book. Visit AromaWeb's Books area to find details about many other essential oil and aromatherapy books.
The Carrier Oil Palette: Fixed Oils, Butters, Herbal Oils, and CO2 Extracts of the Carrier Oil Palette
Authors: Jade Shutes & Sherilyn Siegmund-Roach
Power of the Seed: Your Guide to Oils for Health & Beauty
Author: Susan M. Parker
Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy & Massage
Authors: Len Price with Ian Smith & Shirley Price