Sesame seed oil is one of the most popular cooking oils because of it's hearty taste, but its health benefits aren't often discussed. In addition to all the goodness you get by ingesting the stuff, using sesame seed oil for skin should lead to some pleasant complexion surprises. The versatility of the oil can range from flavoring your favorite salad, whipping up an impressive fried rice, and of course, providing healthy, smooth skin and hair.
What I eat and what I incorporate in my beauty routine tends to be pretty similar — unless you count the occasional guilty pleasure of Funyons. When it comes to cooking oils, I'm willing to do some digging to see how I can get maximum health benefits. Sesame oil isn't just great for vegetarians looking for a high protein diet, preventing diabetes, and lowering blood pressure; the rich protein and zinc in sesame oil is just what your hair and skin needs to be moisturized and smooth. Getting familiar with the benefits of sesame oil is literally the best way to walk into summer free of damaged skin and hair.
Sesame oil and myself have a long history being a permanent resident in my cooking; it has a nutty, light flavor without containing any actual nuts. Plus, it actually smells like something you would want on your body — and it most certainly is! Sesame oil has vitamins A and E which are imperative for healing damaged skin. According to sources at the Natural Society, sesame oil helps enhance skin's elasticity while producing collagen, giving this oil a burst of anti-aging benefits.
Sesame oil, like many carrier oils, is incredibly versatile, making it an ideal addition to anyone's natural beauty care. It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, all of which can help treat thinning hair, split ends, dullness, and breakage. According to Style Craze, sesame oil is ideal for scalp circulation by penetrating deep within the scalp, which of course, makes it that much easier to grow long, healthy locks.
Now that we know why we should be eating and wearing this oil, these recipes should get you easily addicted to sesame oil while getting your skin and hair on fleek.
Summer Hair Sealant
This hair sealant is definitely going to be your new bestie for those hot, humid days. Sesame oil acts as a coolant that will certainly protect your hair from lack of moisture, plus it's light enough to work for all hair types. Apply equal parts sesame and almond oil on damp hair before you hit the streets to keep your strands protected all day long.
Scar Exfoliate
Since sesame oil is high in zinc, it can repair damaged tissue. According to Livestrong, sesame oil contains fatty acids that help heal the skin and regenerate new cells, which can assist in fading scars. Mix together one to two tablespoons of sesame oil, a quarter cup of mango butter, and half a cup of dead sea salt. Then add 12 drops of helichrysum and 12 drops of lavender essential oil to your new exfoliate. Exfoliate up to 3 times weekly on affected areas, and you should start seeing lovely results.
Image: AgriLife Today/Flickr; Giphy; Kristin Collins Jackson
