"Open sesame" is a phrase most of us grew up with, tucked inside a folk tale; but the real story of sesame stretches back long before any story, thousands of years into the past. Spreading from India to Mesopotamia, then on to Anatolia and the Mediterranean, the sesame plant is considered one of the oldest oil-bearing crops known to history. Tahini made from roasted sesame, sesame-crusted bread, sweets prepared with sesame oil - sesame has found a place at nearly every table across these regions. That same seed has also held a place in skincare jars for thousands of years; in ancient Indian and Middle Eastern traditions, sesame oil was long valued as an ingredient thought to be good for skin and hair alike.
Let's be clear about one thing: sesame oil isn't sold on its own here. It goes into handmade formulas like the Hand & Foot Care Cream, Heel Cream, Manicure Cream, and Ayşe's Cream as a raw material, blended in alongside beeswax and other cold-pressed plant oils. When you open the jar, what you hold is a carefully composed blend that sesame oil contributes to, not a bottle of pure oil.
Cold pressing is what preserves the value of sesame oil. When seeds are pressed without any heating step, using mechanical pressure alone, the delicate compounds inside remain largely intact. This differs from the darker, more strongly scented tahini oil made from roasted sesame favoured in cooking; both come from the same seed, but the process differs, and so does the result. Cosmetic-grade sesame oil is lighter in colour and scent, selected specifically for skin use.
In terms of composition, sesame oil stands out for its balance of linoleic and oleic acid, offering a profile that feels familiar to skin's own natural structure. But what truly sets sesame oil apart are its natural compounds called sesamin and sesamol. These lignan compounds are unique to the sesame seed and are known for their antioxidant properties. Also containing vitamin E, sesame oil's composition is exactly why it earned such a lasting place in traditional skincare culture.
The contribution this composition makes to skin is measured but real: used regularly, it may help skin appear softer and more balanced, and its antioxidant content is thought to support skin's resilience against everyday environmental exposure. It may help skin's barrier maintain its moisture balance. These are contributions at the level of support rather than treatment; sesame oil offers no dramatic transformation, only a quiet, traditional addition to a care routine.
Sesame oil is a valuable choice for skin that is dry or sensitive to seasonal change; it is a comfortable option for areas prone to roughness, such as the backs of the hands, elbows, and heels. It also serves as a gentle addition around the nail beds. Its relatively light texture and quick adaptation to skin are exactly why it has been favoured for centuries in warm climates.
Ülker Sofuoğlu's 38 years of manicure and pedicure experience have taught us the value of traditional care knowledge. Within formulas shaped by that experience, sesame oil was chosen as an ingredient that complements the others, both for its antioxidant profile and its long history. Our goal is to translate a tradition thousands of years old into a dependable, measured care routine within creams made by hand today.
A few simple habits make the most of a cream containing sesame oil. Applying it while skin is still slightly damp, right after washing your hands for instance, helps it absorb more easily. Start with a small amount; warm it between your palms before working it gently into your hands or heels. It suits an evening ritual nicely, its texture working through the night without ever feeling bothersome. Massaging the nail beds in small circular motions is a good habit too.
Here is an important safety note we need to share: sesame is one of the recognised major food allergens, and it can also trigger a skin reaction in people with a sesame allergy. If you know you are allergic to sesame, we recommend avoiding creams that contain sesame oil. A question that comes up often: is the tahini oil used in cooking the same as the sesame oil in the cream? No; the sesame oil used in cosmetics is cold pressed and selected specifically for skin care, processed differently from the oil used to make tahini in the kitchen.
When you are not using the cream, keep the cap tightly closed and store it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. Direct sun and high heat can gradually reduce the effectiveness of the plant oils and antioxidant compounds inside. A cupboard shelf is always a better choice than a warm, humid bathroom counter. We store the raw sesame oil under those same cool, dark conditions before it ever goes into a formula.
Every skin is unique, so we recommend testing a small area on the inside of your arm before first use. If you have a known skin condition or allergy, it is worth checking with a specialist before adding anything new. These products are meant for daily care, not treatment. If you would like to experience this thousands-of-years-old tradition for yourself, we invite you to explore it in Ülker Sofuoğlu's handmade creams.
Let's be clear about one thing: sesame oil isn't sold on its own here. It goes into handmade formulas like the Hand & Foot Care Cream, Heel Cream, Manicure Cream, and Ayşe's Cream as a raw material, blended in alongside beeswax and other cold-pressed plant oils. When you open the jar, what you hold is a carefully composed blend that sesame oil contributes to, not a bottle of pure oil.
Cold pressing is what preserves the value of sesame oil. When seeds are pressed without any heating step, using mechanical pressure alone, the delicate compounds inside remain largely intact. This differs from the darker, more strongly scented tahini oil made from roasted sesame favoured in cooking; both come from the same seed, but the process differs, and so does the result. Cosmetic-grade sesame oil is lighter in colour and scent, selected specifically for skin use.
In terms of composition, sesame oil stands out for its balance of linoleic and oleic acid, offering a profile that feels familiar to skin's own natural structure. But what truly sets sesame oil apart are its natural compounds called sesamin and sesamol. These lignan compounds are unique to the sesame seed and are known for their antioxidant properties. Also containing vitamin E, sesame oil's composition is exactly why it earned such a lasting place in traditional skincare culture.
The contribution this composition makes to skin is measured but real: used regularly, it may help skin appear softer and more balanced, and its antioxidant content is thought to support skin's resilience against everyday environmental exposure. It may help skin's barrier maintain its moisture balance. These are contributions at the level of support rather than treatment; sesame oil offers no dramatic transformation, only a quiet, traditional addition to a care routine.
Sesame oil is a valuable choice for skin that is dry or sensitive to seasonal change; it is a comfortable option for areas prone to roughness, such as the backs of the hands, elbows, and heels. It also serves as a gentle addition around the nail beds. Its relatively light texture and quick adaptation to skin are exactly why it has been favoured for centuries in warm climates.
Ülker Sofuoğlu's 38 years of manicure and pedicure experience have taught us the value of traditional care knowledge. Within formulas shaped by that experience, sesame oil was chosen as an ingredient that complements the others, both for its antioxidant profile and its long history. Our goal is to translate a tradition thousands of years old into a dependable, measured care routine within creams made by hand today.
A few simple habits make the most of a cream containing sesame oil. Applying it while skin is still slightly damp, right after washing your hands for instance, helps it absorb more easily. Start with a small amount; warm it between your palms before working it gently into your hands or heels. It suits an evening ritual nicely, its texture working through the night without ever feeling bothersome. Massaging the nail beds in small circular motions is a good habit too.
Here is an important safety note we need to share: sesame is one of the recognised major food allergens, and it can also trigger a skin reaction in people with a sesame allergy. If you know you are allergic to sesame, we recommend avoiding creams that contain sesame oil. A question that comes up often: is the tahini oil used in cooking the same as the sesame oil in the cream? No; the sesame oil used in cosmetics is cold pressed and selected specifically for skin care, processed differently from the oil used to make tahini in the kitchen.
When you are not using the cream, keep the cap tightly closed and store it somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight. Direct sun and high heat can gradually reduce the effectiveness of the plant oils and antioxidant compounds inside. A cupboard shelf is always a better choice than a warm, humid bathroom counter. We store the raw sesame oil under those same cool, dark conditions before it ever goes into a formula.
Every skin is unique, so we recommend testing a small area on the inside of your arm before first use. If you have a known skin condition or allergy, it is worth checking with a specialist before adding anything new. These products are meant for daily care, not treatment. If you would like to experience this thousands-of-years-old tradition for yourself, we invite you to explore it in Ülker Sofuoğlu's handmade creams.
