Decoding Sourcing and Quality: How to Select the Finest Sesame Oil
Selecting high-quality sesame oil requires evaluating processing methods, botanical purity, and packaging. Opt for 100% pure, cosmetic-grade sesame oil packaged in light-protected containers with a faint, clean, nutty aroma. Avoid culinary variations made from roasted seeds, which carry overpowering scents unsuitable for clinical or home massage environments.
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Prioritize Single-Ingredient Botanicals: Always inspect the ingredient label to ensure it lists Sesamum indicumseed oil as the sole component without added mineral oils, parabens, or synthetic fragrance stabilizers.
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Differentiate Cosmetic from Culinary Varieties: Ensure your bottle specifies cosmetic use; culinary sesame oil is extracted from toasted seeds, creating a dark amber liquid with a heavy food aroma that stains linens and clings to skin.
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Evaluate the Packaging: Premium therapeutic oils are housed in dark amber, cobalt blue, or light-protected opaque containers to shield the delicate fatty acids from UV degradation.
When determining how to tell if sesame oil is good quality before buying, look closely at its physical coloration. High-quality, raw cosmetic sesame oil exhibits a pale, clear, golden-yellow hue. If the liquid appears completely clear like water, it has likely undergone aggressive chemical refining that strips away beneficial nutrients. Conversely, if it is deeply dark and smells like a restaurant kitchen, it is a culinary variation. To accurately test sesame oil quality at home, pour a small teaspoon onto your palm; it should feel smooth and substantially rich but should glide cleanly without feeling sticky, tacky, or stringy.
Processing Profiles Compared: Cold-Pressed versus Refined Varieties
Cold-pressed and refined sesame oils offer distinct procedural benefits depending on your specific bodywork goals. Cold-pressed processing relies on mechanical extraction to retain native vitamins and protective antioxidants, yielding a golden hue. Refined processing utilizes natural filtration to remove scent and color, providing an ultra-neutral canvas for complex essential oil blending.
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Antioxidant Preservation: Cold-pressed extraction uses mechanical expellers at low temperatures, preserving vital sesamol, sesamin, and natural Vitamin E.
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Aromatic Neutrality: Refined varieties go through a natural clay filtration process that removes the inherent nutty scent, making them ideal when you want delicate essential oils to take center stage.
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Visual Presentation: Cold-pressed versions maintain a rich, golden aesthetic, while refined oils have a lighter, minimalist appearance favored by some modern spas.
Sourcing and Selection Visual Blueprint
Our quick facts visual blueprint provides a clean, highly organized graphic summarizing the technical attributes, botanical origin, and core physical qualities of pure sesame body oil. This reference chart allows professional therapists and home users to instantly assess skin compatibility, viscosity levels, and shelf-life parameters for their wellness routines.

Aromatherapy Foundations: Maximizing Sesame Oil as a Carrier Base
Pure sesame oil excels as an aromatherapy carrier base due to its excellent dermal absorption, chemical stability, and medium viscosity. It evenly distributes volatile essential oils across the skin barrier during massage without rapid evaporation, making it a reliable foundation for therapeutic essential oil integration and custom fragrance designs.
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Controlled Dermal Delivery: The medium-bodied structure slows down the evaporation of volatile essential oils, allowing them to remain active on the skin surface longer.
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Chemical Stability: Naturally rich in sesamol and Vitamin E, sesame oil resists oxidation, making it a highly dependable base for mixing custom aromatherapy batches that won't spoil quickly.
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Ultrasonic Diffuser Safety Warning: While sesame oil is an elite carrier oil for direct skin application, it should never be used in ultrasonic aromatherapy diffusers. Heavy, unrefined plant oils will quickly clog the delicate ultrasonic mechanisms and permanently damage the device. Keep sesame oil dedicated strictly to topical applications, massage work, and portable roller bottles.
Precision Aromatherapy Dilution Guide
Our precision aromatherapy dilution visual guide breaks down recommended essential oil blend ratios across various application types into a clean, easy-to-read grid matrix. This visual resource helps users safely calculate proper drop counts per ounce of sesame carrier base for daily body care, general body massage, and targeted muscle application.

Synergistic Blending: Essential Oil Pairings and Carrier Combinations
Sesame oil harmonizes exceptionally well with woody, floral, citrus, and herbal essential oil families due to its underlying warm characteristics. You can easily blend sesame oil with other carrier oils like jojoba or sweet almond to alter absorption speeds, extend working glide times, or construct customized textures for specific skin types.
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Calming and Grounding Synergies: The inherent warm notes of sesame oil perfectly complement grounding extracts like Frankincense, Sandalwood, and Patchouli for meditation or spiritual bodywork.
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Customizing Texture with Multi-Carrier Blends: You can easily mix multiple carrier oils with a sesame base. Combine equal parts sesame oil and jojoba oil for faster absorption, or mix sesame with sweet almond oil to create an ultra-luxurious, long-lasting glide for intense Swedish massage sessions.
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Luxury Fragrance and Roll-On Creation: Sesame oil is a fantastic base for making DIY perfumes and portable fragrance rollerballs. Unlike alcohol bases that dry out the skin and evaporate rapidly, a sesame oil base locks onto fragrance molecules, allowing your custom scent to adapt to your body heat and linger beautifully for hours.
How to Create a Master DIY Relaxation Blend at Home
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Step 1: Procure a clean, dry amber glass bottle that holds exactly 1 ounce (30 mL) of liquid.
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Step 2: Fill the bottle almost to the top with pure, cold-pressed cosmetic sesame oil, leaving a small amount of space at the neck.
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Step 3: Carefully dispense 6 drops of Lavender essential oil, 4 drops of Cedarwood essential oil, and 2 drops of Frankincense essential oil directly into the sesame base.
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Step 4: Secure the bottle cap tightly and roll the container briskly between your palms for 30 seconds to distribute the essential oils evenly without creating excessive air bubbles. Store this blend in a dark cupboard for 24 hours before its first use to allow the scent profiles to mature synergistically.
Beyond the Massage Table: Versatile Daily Applications for Skin, Hair, and Beard
Beyond traditional massage work, pure sesame oil functions as a highly effective daily post-shower moisturizer, hair conditioning agent, and beard softener. Applying a modest amount to damp skin locks in critical hydration, while its lipid profile helps smooth coarse hair fibers and soothe underlying skin dryness without synthetic chemical additives.
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Elite Post-Shower Hydration: Sesame oil stands out as an exceptional organic body oil for dry skin when applied immediately after bathing, using the residual water on your skin to lock in moisture deep within the epidermis.
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Facial Hair and Beard Grooming: It makes an exceptional beard conditioning oil; its medium weight absorbs down to the roots to soften coarse facial hair while simultaneously eliminating flaking and dry skin underneath.
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Scalp Health and Conditioning: Massage a tablespoon of sesame oil into your scalp and through dry hair ends 20 minutes before showering to smooth unruly frizz, add natural shine, and support a healthy scalp environment.
How to Seamlessly Integrate Sesame Oil Into Your Skincare Routine
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Step 1: Complete your bath or shower using a gentle cleanser, leaving your skin thoroughly clean and slightly wet.
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Step 2: Before reaching for a towel, dispense a single teaspoon of sesame oil into your palms and rub them together.
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Step 3: Smooth the oil over your arms, legs, torso, and dry patches using long, sweeping upward motions, allowing the oil to emulsify with the water droplets on your skin.
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Step 4: Gently pat your skin dry with a soft cotton towel, allowing the remaining nutrient-dense lipid layer to absorb completely over the next five minutes.
How to Avoid Common Application Blanks and Pitfalls
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Avoid Over-Application: The most common mistake beginners make is pouring large puddles of oil onto the body, which overwhelms the skin's absorption rate and leaves a heavy residue. Always start with a few drops and add more incrementally.
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Do Not Replace Sunscreens: While sesame oil contains natural antioxidants, it does not provide adequate sun protection. Never use it as a substitute for a dedicated, broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen during outdoor activities.
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Protect Delicate Fabrics: Avoid putting on tight, synthetic, or silk clothing immediately after application. Wear loose, breathable cotton garments while the oil finishes absorbing to prevent potential fabric spotting.
Professional Warming Rituals: Steps for Safe Execution and Troubleshooting
Elevating your bodywork routine involves gently warming your sesame oil using a hot water bath rather than a microwave. Warming decreases the oil's viscosity, maximizes muscle relaxation, and increases skin absorption rates. Proper fabric care and proactive clean-up steps prevent lingering laundry odors or permanent sheet stains.
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Therapeutic Muscle Relaxation: Applying warmed sesame oil to the body increases local circulation, targets deep muscle tension, and provides a comforting sensory experience that enhances bedtime relaxation routines.
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Altered Fluid Dynamics: Heating the oil slightly thins its natural viscosity, giving the fluid a silkier, lighter feel that mimics high-end spa formulations.
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Proactive Fabric Management: To easily remove massage oil odors and prevent permanent stains on sheets or towels, wash linens promptly in hot water using a heavy-duty detergent mixed with a half-cup of baking soda to dissolve residual plant lipids.
How to Safely Execute a Warm Oil Massage Treatment
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Step 1: Measure 2 to 3 tablespoons of pure cosmetic sesame oil into a small glass beaker or heat-safe squeeze bottle.
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Step 2: Fill a ceramic bowl with hot water (not boiling) and submerge the bottom half of your oil container into the water bath.
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Step 3: Leave the oil container to rest in the water bath for 5 to 7 minutes until the liquid achieves a comfortable, lukewarm temperature.
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Step 4: Dispense a few test drops onto your inner wrist to verify the heat level before applying the warmed oil to larger muscle groups or a partner's skin.
Head-to-Head Comparison: Sesame Oil versus Alternative Carrier Bases
Selecting the proper carrier base requires balancing absorption velocity against working glide durability. Sesame oil bridges the gap between hyper-absorbent choices like jojoba and heavy, slow-absorbing barriers like coconut oil. This unique structural balance provides an optimal medium-weight working texture for comprehensive, full-body therapeutic applications.
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Sustained Glide Dynamics: Sesame oil outlasts lighter oils like grapeseed, minimizing the need for constant reapplication during extended deep-tissue massage sessions.
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Thermal Retention Capabilities: Unlike mineral or coconut oils, sesame oil retains heat beautifully, making it the premier choice for traditional warm-oil therapies and cold-weather skincare.
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Zero Synthetic Contaminants: It bypasses the petroleum bases, chemical dyes, and synthetic preservatives that dominate commercial lotions, offering a pure, vegan solution for sensitive skin barriers.
The Step-by-Step Warming and Application Matrix
Our step-by-step warming and application visual matrix outlines the proper sequence for preparing and utilizing cosmetic sesame oil at home. Through elegant illustrations, this graphic details how to execute a warm water bath heat treatment and apply proper directional massage strokes across long bones and delicate joint structures.

Comprehensive Reference Guide: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Navigating the specific uses, allergen guidelines, and chemical traits of sesame oil requires clear, data-driven answers. This master reference directly addresses long-tail user inquiries regarding skincare integration, processing terminologies, shelf-life management, and optimal application strategies to ensure a safe, high-performing wellness experience for all users.
Is sesame oil a good carrier oil for essential oils? Yes, pure sesame oil is an exceptional carrier base. Its balanced lipid composition anchors highly volatile essential oils, slowing down their evaporation rates while helping distribute the active botanical compounds evenly and safely across the skin surface without causing irritation.
What is the best carrier oil for aromatherapy? The ideal carrier oil depends entirely on your specific bodywork goal. For sustained full-body massage, deep skin hydration, and warming treatments, sesame oil is unmatched. For ultra-lightweight facial applications or naturally oily skin types, a faster-absorbing base like jojoba oil is often preferred.
Which essential oils mix well with sesame oil? Because cosmetic sesame oil carries a very subtle, warm, and slightly nutty natural undertone, it pairs beautifully with woody essential oils like Cedarwood and Sandalwood, floral extracts like Lavender and Geranium, citrus oils like Bergamot, and cooling herbal oils like Peppermint or Eucalyptus.
What benefit does sesame oil provide in aromatherapy? In topical aromatherapy, sesame oil serves as a deeply therapeutic, nourishing delivery vehicle. It provides the necessary friction-reducing glide required for relaxing massage applications while delivering natural antioxidants and essential fatty acids that actively repair the skin's moisture barrier.
How do I choose the right carrier oil for my needs? Evaluate the primary goal of your application. If you require a long-lasting glide for deep muscle relaxation and intensive moisture for dry skin, choose sesame oil. If you need instantaneous absorption with zero trace residue for daytime facial care, look toward lighter choices like jojoba or rosehip oil.
Can you use sesame oil for DIY perfume? Yes, unrefined cosmetic sesame oil is a premium choice for building homemade perfume blends and fragrance rollerballs. It holds onto delicate top and middle scent notes much longer than drying, alcohol-based perfume carriers, gently evolving alongside your natural body chemistry.
Sesame oil vs. jojoba oil: which carrier oil is better? Neither oil is universally superior; they serve different purposes. Jojoba oil mimics the skin's natural sebum and absorbs rapidly, making it perfect for facial skincare. Sesame oil provides a significantly longer working glide and richer warmth, making it the superior option for full-body therapeutic massage.
Does sesame oil have a natural SPF for skin? Sesame oil naturally contains dense plant antioxidants that filter out a very minor fraction of ultraviolet rays, roughly equivalent to an SPF 2 to 4. However, this is completely inadequate for sun protection. Never rely on sesame oil as a substitute for a verified, broad-spectrum sunscreen when spending time outdoors.
Is cold-pressed sesame oil better for aromatherapy? Cold-pressed sesame oil is highly recommended for holistic bodywork because its low-temperature extraction process keeps natural antioxidants, vitamins, and plant sterols fully intact. However, if you require a completely odorless base that will not alter a highly delicate fragrance profile, refined sesame oil is an excellent alternative.
Sesame oil for hair: can you use it as a carrier oil? Yes, sesame oil works brilliantly as a nourishing carrier oil for hair and scalp treatments. You can easily dilute a few drops of stimulating essential oils like Rosemary or Peppermint into a sesame base to create an intensive pre-shampoo scalp massage blend that supports hair vitality.
What's the difference between sesame oil and sesame seed oil? There is no functional or chemical difference between the two; they are interchangeable terms for the exact same product. "Sesame seed oil" is simply the more technically precise botanical name used on official cosmetic ingredient indexes (Sesamum indicum seed oil).
Best carrier oils for sensitive skin aromatherapy? For sensitive skin profiles, pure, unrefined carrier oils that contain zero synthetic additives, chemical solvents, or artificial fragrances are essential. Cold-pressed sesame oil, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil are widely regarded as the gentlest, most reliable choices for sensitive skin types.
Does sesame oil go bad? Storage tips for carrier oils. Yes, like all natural plant lipids, sesame oil will eventually oxidize and spoil. To maximize its 12 to 24-month shelf life, store the bottle tightly sealed in a cool, dark cupboard away from heating vents, high bathroom humidity, and direct sunlight.
Is sesame oil safe for direct skin application in aromatherapy? Yes, pure cosmetic sesame oil is entirely safe and intended for direct, undiluted application to the skin. It scores a low 2 out of 5 on the comedogenic scale, meaning it delivers rich barrier hydration with a minimal risk of clogging pores when applied in appropriate quantities.
Sesame oil vs. coconut oil: which carrier oil to choose? Sesame oil is typically preferred for professional bodywork because it remains a fluid liquid at room temperature and provides a longer, smoother massage glide. Unfractionated coconut oil easily solidifies in cooler room temperatures and can feel slightly tacky or heavy during long massage strokes.
Sesame oil for meditation and spiritual aromatherapy? Sesame oil has been utilized for thousands of years in traditional Eastern medicine as a grounding, warming wellness foundation. Massaging warm sesame oil into the feet or joints before meditation helps soothe an overactive nervous system, calm racing thoughts, and encourage deep relaxation.
Sesame oil aromatherapy: does it help with sleep? While sesame oil itself does not contain sedative compounds, its natural ability to hold heat makes it an incredible tool for evening wellness rituals. Massaging warm sesame oil infused with calming essential oils like Lavender or Cedarwood into your neck and shoulders before bed helps prepare the body for deep rest.
How do I identify rancid or low-quality sesame carrier oil? Rancid sesame oil can be instantly identified by a sharp, distinctly sour, or stale "crayola-crayon" odor that replaces its fresh, mild, nutty scent. The texture may also become uncharacteristically sticky or tacky. If your oil exhibits these signs, discontinue skin application immediately.
Does sesame oil absorb into skin or leave you greasy? Sesame oil absorbs at a highly balanced, moderate rate. It provides an extended working glide for massage therapy before gradually soaking completely into the epidermis, leaving the skin feeling deeply conditioned and silky rather than slick or uncomfortably greasy.
Can sesame oil be used every day? Yes, pure sesame oil is perfectly safe and highly beneficial for daily use. Integrating a small amount into your daily personal care routine—especially as a full-body moisturizer directly after a warm shower—helps maintain soft, smooth, and resilient skin year-round.
Can you use sesame oil on sensitive skin? The vast majority of individuals with sensitive skin types tolerate pure, additive-free cosmetic sesame oil exceptionally well. However, because every skin profile is completely unique, it is always recommended to perform a simple patch test on a small area of your inner arm before widespread application.
What does sesame oil smell like? Pure cosmetic sesame oil made from raw, unroasted seeds features a very faint, clean, warm, and subtly earthy or nutty natural aroma. It is incredibly mild and texturally distinct from the heavy, pungent, and savory scent associated with dark culinary toasted sesame oil.
Is sesame oil safe if you have nut allergies? Sesame is botanically classified as a seed rather than a tree nut. While it is generally safe for individuals with tree nut allergies, sesame allergies are a distinct and recognized health concern. If you have severe seed or food allergies, consult your physician before use and perform a careful skin patch test.
Best body oil to use after showering? Pure, cold-pressed cosmetic sesame oil is a premier post-shower body oil choice. Applying it directly to damp skin before towel-drying allows the rich lipids to bond with surface water molecules, locking in long-lasting hydration and outperforming conventional, water-based store lotions.
How long does massage oil last on skin? Depending on your unique skin porosity and environmental humidity levels, pure sesame oil will typically absorb completely into the upper layers of the skin within 10 to 15 minutes of finishing a massage, leaving behind a soft, protective, non-greasy finish.
What's the difference between light and regular sesame oil? In cosmetic and therapeutic spaces, "light" sesame oil indicates extraction from raw, unroasted seeds, resulting in a pale golden fluid with an incredibly mild aroma. "Regular" or culinary sesame oil utilizes roasted seeds, creating a dark, highly aromatic oil intended strictly for cooking.
Best body oil for massage that doesn't stain clothes? Pure sesame oil is an excellent choice for clothing safety because it can be easily washed out of natural fabrics. To ensure zero transfer, simply blot away any excess surface oil with a clean towel after your massage session before dressing in loose cotton garments.
Can you use sesame oil on baby skin? Pure, certified organic, cold-pressed sesame oil has been used safely for infant massage in traditional cultures for generations. However, because an infant's skin barrier is exceptionally delicate and developing, always consult your pediatrician and perform a strict patch test before widespread use.
Sesame oil for massage: warm or cold application? While room-temperature application is completely safe and effective, a gently warmed application is vastly superior for therapeutic bodywork. Warming the oil drops its viscosity for a smoother glide, eases rigid muscle tissues, and deeply relaxes the nervous system.
Does sesame oil have anti-inflammatory benefits? Yes, scientific studies indicate that pure sesame oil is naturally rich in bioactive compounds like sesamol and sesamin. These unique plant lignans possess documented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help soothe irritated skin barriers and ease tired muscles.
Best natural body oil without additives or chemicals? A 100% pure, certified organic, cold-pressed cosmetic sesame oil stands out as one of the cleanest, most effective natural body oils available, delivering complete skin-softening nutrition without a single added chemical, synthetic fragrance, or artificial preservative.
Can sesame oil help with muscle tension? Yes, especially when applied as a warm oil therapy. The rich weight of sesame oil holds thermal energy beautifully; when massaged deeply into the tissue, it helps increase local blood flow, encourages tight muscle fibers to unlock, and supports muscle recovery.
Is sesame oil better than store-bought body lotions? For long-lasting moisture, sesame oil is highly advantageous. Conventional store lotions frequently rely on water bases and synthetic chemicals that quickly evaporate off the skin; pure sesame oil delivers pure lipid nutrition that seals the skin barrier to stop moisture loss naturally.
Why does massage oil smell linger on skin? Natural plant oils absorb into the upper layers of the skin to condition the tissue, meaning their subtle natural aroma can remain present for several hours. If you wish to completely remove the warm scent after a session, a simple wash with a citrus-based body wash will instantly cut the lipids.
Is ayurvedic sesame oil different from regular sesame oil? Traditional Ayurvedic sesame oil is sometimes "cured" by gently heating it with specific water ratios or traditional herbs to alter its energetic qualities. However, a premium, 100% pure cold-pressed unrefined cosmetic sesame oil provides the exact same rich, underlying fatty acid profile and structural benefits.
Best massage oil that won't clog pores? Pure sesame oil balances rich nourishment with a low comedogenic rating of 2 out of 5, meaning it presents a very low risk of clogging pores when applied correctly to clean skin. It delivers deep, long-lasting working glide without the heavy pore-blocking risks associated with mineral oil.
Sesame oil for body massage: hydration vs. greasiness? The core secret of cosmetic sesame oil is its exceptional equilibrium point. It stays on the skin surface long enough to give a therapist a beautiful, continuous working glide, but absorbs cleanly over the course of the session to leave the skin feeling deeply hydrated rather than greasy.
See It Here: Best of Nature 100% Pure Sesame Massage & Body Oil

