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.

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