The effects of sesame oil on acne-prone skin?

Thesesame oil has been cultivated for millennia all around the world. It contains various components, bestowing numerous benefits for the skin. Apparently, it may even be effective against acne. However, to date, there are no studies on the effects of thesesame oil on acne. We can, however, hypothesise that this ingredient could potentially act on certain aspects of this skin condition.

• Sesame oil for its anti-inflammatory virtues.

  Acne is a disease associated with skin inflammation. Indeed, the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes , proliferating excessively in acne-prone skin, converts the triglycerides in sebum into free fatty acids, thereby causing an inflammation of the sebaceous glands . However, sesame oil contains several anti-inflammatory compounds such as lignans, phytosterols (β-sitosterol and campesterol) and phenolic compounds (sesamol and sesamolinol). The sesamin it contains has been the subject of a study which demonstrated that it was capable of inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by significantly reducing the expression of mRNA of IL-1 and -6 in fibroblast lines.

• Sesame oil possesses antioxidant properties.

  Acne can also be exacerbated by oxidative stress generated by certain external aggressions. Free radicals are often associated with the oxidation of sebum's squalene into squalene peroxide, a comedogenic molecule. Sesame oil contains various antioxidants, such as the vitamin E, phenolic compounds and lignans (sesamin and sesamolin) that can help protect the skin against damage caused by free radicals. By limiting oxidative stress, sesame oil may thus contribute to preventing the worsening of acne.

Furthermore, the fatty acids and phytosterols found in sesame oil can help to maintain the skin's hydration level , a crucial element for its hydrolipidic balance. Indeed, skin dryness can lead to reactive hyperseborrhea, a contributing factor to acne. Additionally, good hydration is essential in conjunction with anti-acne treatments, which often have a drying effect on the skin.

However, it is important to emphasise that acne is due to numerous factors: disruption of the quality and quantity of sebum, sustained bacterial presence, inflammation, accumulation of dead cells... Sesame oil does not act on all these factors and can only be used in certain types ofacne, particularly inflammatory acne.

Thus, sesame oil cannot replace a dermatological treatment. It can only be used as a complementary application.

• HOLLAND K & al. Acne and Propionibacterium acnes. Clinics in Dermatology (2004).

• YAGOUB A. & al. Chemical composition and oil characteristics of sesame seed cultivars grown in Sudan. Research Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences (2008).

• XIE M. & al. The relationship of antioxidant components and antioxidant activity of Sesame seed oil. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture (2015).