Lignans, tocopherols and phytosterols
ReviewThe oil contains lignans (sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin), tocopherols and phytosterols. The ratio of oleic to linoleic acid is presented as important3.
Sesame oil
Sesame oil is obtained from the seeds of Sesamum indicum1. It contains lignans (sesamin, sesamol, sesamolin), tocopherols and phytosterols3. CosIng classifies it as an emollient and a skin and hair conditioning agent1. The CIR judges it safe in current cosmetic uses2. Cosmetic trials specific to the oil remain rare.
Sesame oil at a glance
Entry from our cosmetic ingredient glossary. Regulatory data from the European Commission's CosIng database1. Copy the identifiers in one click for your files.
- INCI name
- SESAMUM INDICUM SEED OILUS INCI name: Sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil1
- Other names
- Sesame oilSesame oil; sesame seed oil
- CAS number
- 8008-74-0
- EC number
- 232-370-6
- Botanical origin
- Sesame (Pedaliaceae)Oil obtained from sesame seeds, Sesamum indicum L.1
- Characteristic compounds
- Lignans, tocopherols, phytosterolsSesamin, sesamol and sesamolin for the lignans3
- CosIng functions
- Emollient, skin and hair conditioning, fragrance"Skin conditioning - emollient", "hair conditioning", "skin conditioning" and "fragrance"1
- EU status
- No restriction specific to the ingredientNot listed in Annexes II to VI of Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, consolidated May 1, 2025; no restriction is recorded in CosIng17
- Allergen to declare
- NoNot listed in Annex III or in the fragrance allergen list of Regulation (EU) 2023/15457
- Safety (CIR)
- Judged safe in current usesNot irritating, not sensitizing, not teratogenic and not carcinogenic at exposures from cosmetic use, according to the amended 2011 assessment2
What the research says
Each result shows the protocol and the level of evidence. The higher the level, the better the result carries over to a finished formula.
Clinical trialReview or consensusLaboratory
Composition and materialChemistry
One oil among fourteen analyzed
LaboratorySesame oil is one of fourteen oils whose fatty acids were measured. Palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids dominate across all the oils4.
Skin and bodySkincare, bodycare
Cited in a review on skin application of oils
ReviewThe review brings together data on the skin application of several oils, including sesame6. We found no controlled trial measuring hydration or the skin barrier with sesame oil alone.
A case of contact allergy
ReviewA case of contact allergy was attributed to the sesame oil in a traditional preparation applied to the skin5. It is an isolated case, which takes nothing away from the CIR assessment but is a reminder to test the final formula.
Hair and scalpHaircare
A recognized hair function, without a dedicated trial
ReviewCosIng lists sesame oil as a hair conditioning agent1. We found no controlled trial measuring its effect alone on hair: it is a formulation use.
Safety assessmentsCIR
Judged safe in current uses
ReviewSesame oil, the hydrogenated oil, the unsaponifiables and sodium sesameseedate are not skin irritants, not sensitizers, not teratogenic and not carcinogenic at exposures from cosmetic use. The panel concludes they are safe in current uses and concentrations2.
This page summarizes published literature on a cosmetic ingredient. It does not describe the effect of a finished product, which depends on its formula, and it is not medical advice. Several of the studies cited were run or funded by industry; this is indicated in the sources.
Which products use sesame oil?
Our white label catalog includes 3 formulas with sesame oil, always as a supporting ingredient. Every category can be customized (formula, fragrance, packaging).
2Body
Supporting oil in massage oils, post-scrub oils and sun oils.
Sesame, pumpkin seed, soybean or mustard oil?
Four seed oils found in ingredient lists. Their composition and regulatory status differ.
| Sesame oil | Pumpkin seed oil | Soybean oil | Mustard oil | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | Lignans (sesamin, sesamol), tocopherols, phytosterols3 | Mostly unsaturated, linoleic acid first8 | Triglycerides of oleic, linoleic and saturated acids9 | Yellow mustard oil: 42.8% erucic acid10 |
| EU regulation | No specific restriction | No specific restriction | No specific restriction | Allyl isothiocyanate banned (Annex II)7 |
| Carmel catalog formulas | 3 formulas | 2 formulas | 2 formulas | 1 formula |
Frequently asked questions about sesame oil
What is sesame oil?
What are the benefits of sesame oil in cosmetics?
Is sesame oil good for hair?
CosIng lists it as a hair conditioning agent1. No controlled trial found measures its effect alone on hair: it is a formulation use, as a supporting oil in oils or masks.
Is sesame oil suitable for the face and oily skin?
We retained no official or peer-reviewed source giving a comedogenicity rating for sesame oil, so this page gives no figure. Tolerance on a given skin is checked with tests on the final formula.
Can sesame oil cause an allergy?
Is sesame oil suited to massage oils?
This is a common use: it serves as a base or supporting oil in massage oils and post-scrub oils. We found no study measuring glide or skin feel, so no figure is given.
Can you manufacture a sesame oil product for my brand?
Yes. Our ISO 22716 certified lab offers 3 formulas that contain it (post-scrub oil, sun oil, lip balm), which you can customize, or a custom formula. Samples are free.
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Sources
Peer-reviewed studies and official regulatory sources, checked on November 3, 2026.
- European Commission. CosIng, entry SESAMUM INDICUM SEED OIL (CAS 8008-74-0, EC 232-370-6). CosIng 78835
- Johnson W Jr, Bergfeld WF, Belsito DV, et al. Amended safety assessment of Sesamum indicum (sesame) seed oil, hydrogenated sesame seed oil, Sesamum indicum (sesame) oil unsaponifiables, and sodium sesameseedate. Int J Toxicol. 2011;30(3 Suppl):40S-53S. doi:10.1177/1091581811406987
- Oboulbiga EB, Douamba Z, Compaoré-Sérémé D, et al. Physicochemical, potential nutritional, antioxidant and health properties of sesame seed oil: a review. Front Nutr. 2023;10:1127926. doi:10.3389/fnut.2023.1127926
- Orsavova J, Misurcova L, Ambrozova JV, et al. Fatty acids composition of vegetable oils and its contribution to dietary energy intake and dependence of cardiovascular mortality on dietary intake of fatty acids. Int J Mol Sci. 2015;16(6):12871-12890. doi:10.3390/ijms160612871
- Oiso N, Yamadori Y, Higashimori N, et al. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by sesame oil in a topical Chinese medicine, shi-un-ko. Contact Dermatitis. 2008;58(2):109. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01175.x
- Lin TK, Zhong L, Santiago JL. Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;19(1):70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
- European Parliament and Council. Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 on cosmetic products, consolidated version of May 1, 2025 (Annexes II to VI, Article 17). EUR-Lex. EUR-Lex 1223/2009
- Hu Z, Hu C, Li Y, et al. Pumpkin seed oil: a comprehensive review of extraction methods, nutritional constituents, and health benefits. J Sci Food Agric. 2024;104(2):572-582. doi:10.1002/jsfa.12952
- European Commission. CosIng, entry GLYCINE SOJA OIL (CAS 8001-22-7, EC 232-274-4). CosIng 34121
- Li C, Cai B, Li W, et al. Processing characteristics, typical components, and biological activities of yellow mustard seed oil. J Food Sci. 2026;91(7):e71237. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.71237
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