Sesame (Til) Oil in Ayurveda: Hair, Skin and Body Massage Benefits

Posted By Vriksha Veda on July 2026

When it comes to the range of ayurvedic oils, there are huge ones like bhringraj, amla, neem, and the list ones on! One of the most classical ayurvedic formulations include Sesame Oil, which is also called “Til Ka Tel”. Rather than using them in haircare alone, sesame oil has been traditionally used as base oil for herbal preparations because of their nourishing nature and ability to carry herbal components deep into the skin.

In most of the ayurvedic practices, the sesame oil works wonders for your overall skin and hair. And even the research claims that this oil is rich in fatty acids, vitamins, aanti-oxidants, and more which helps in enhancing your skin cum hair at the same time. Get to know about the benefits in detail from ayurvedic point of view in terms of skin (face and body) and hair.

Why Is This Oil Called King of Herbs?

Rather than going with just the benefits, it is vital to know why sesame oil is referred to in ayurveda. Sesame oil is valued in ayurveda because:

They are deeply nourishing.
Works best on Vata Dosha, which has been linked with dryness and stiffness.
Works as an excellent option for herbal extracts.
Suitable for whole body massage.
Can be used all over the scalp, skin, and joints.

Why is Sesame Oil Unique - Traditional Aspect

Natural Compound	Role in Hair & Skin Care
Linoleic Acid	Supports natural skin barrier while reducing moisture loss.
Oleic Acid	Works on softening skin and helps in managing hair better.
Sesamol, Vitamin E	Works against environmental factors and supports skin health because of their rich-antioxidant level.
Sesamin	Rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Phytosterols	Help maintain skin hydration and comfort.

What Does Modern Research Say About Sesame Oil?

1. Supports Skin Barrier - The presence of fatty acids in the oil helps in strengthening the skin barrier while reducing water loss from the skin.

2. Rich in Natural Antioxidants - The presence of sesamin and sesamol helps in protecting skin from oxidative stress caused by UV exposure and pollution.

3. Maintain Healthy Hair - Fatty acids in sesame oil works as a lubricated shaft, reducing the roughness in hair while improving softness.

4. Traditionally Used in Massage Therapy - Studies also say Sesame Oil Massage in Skin helps in improving skin hydration and contributes to relaxation.

How Sesame Oil Benefits Skin & Hair?

How Sesame Oil Helps the Skin	How Sesame Oil Helps the Hair
Works on strengthening moisture barrier support.	Treats, moisturizes, and nourishes scalp.
Helps in healing roughness and dryness.	Softens dryness and manages frizziness.
Reduces the water loss in the skin.	Helps in reducing moisture loss from the hair shaft.
Helps in softening skin and smoothens them.	Improves frizziness and dryness on hair while managing them better.
Helps in skin elasticity and healthy complexion look.	Enhances shine and reduces dullness.
Perfect for body massage - Especially Abhyanga.	Perfect to use before hair wash days, focusing on scalp and hair.

Why Is Sesame Oil Commonly Used in Ayurveda?

Nourishes skin.
Improve blood circulation.
Relax muscles.
Support joint comfort.
Gives calmness in the skin

As they are warm and nourishing in nature, they are majorly preferred for enhancing the dryness and flakiness in skin and scalp.

Hair, Skin, or Body? Here's How to Use Sesame Oil

Purpose	How to Use	Frequency
Hair Oiling	Massage into the scalp and lengths, leave for a couple of hours before washing.	1 to 2 times/week
Facial Massage	Use just a few drops along with a gentle massage.	3 times/week
Abhyanga	Warm the oil slightly and massage from head to toe before bathing.	Everyday
Dry Elbows & Heels	Massage directly onto rough areas before bedtime.	Daily

Sesame Oil Works Well With?

Here are some of the best combination that you can try with for enhancing their benefits:

Ingredient	Why Pair with Sesame Oil?
With Bhringraj	Works on nourishing the scalp better through proper massage.
Sesame + Amla	Complements hair care by working on dullness and dryness.
Hibiscus & Sesame	Improves hair softness and manageability.
Sesame + Neem	Suitable for oily scalp care routines.
Licorice - Neem Combo	Works well in body massage oils for dry skin.

Why Choose Good and High-Quality Sesame Oil?

Every oil is not the same and they do not give the same benefits for skin and hair. Here is a small checklist for picking the right one:

Go with ones which are completely pure and 100% cold-pressed.
No mix of oil, fragrance, artificial colours or preservatives
Trusted sourcing and quality testing

The ones which satisfy all the above will be Vriksha Veda’s Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil; The til is sourced from Self help group of ladies” based in Tamil Nadu.

Conclusion

The Sesame oil, which is also called “Til Oil” is majorly preferred in various ayurvedic routines because of their versatile nature. From body massage to scalp oiling, you can use this one as they are a blend of fatty acids, vitamins, and also anti-oxidants.