What a 3/5 rating means
On the comedogenic scale, a 3 is the moderate midpoint: tolerated by many, a possible trigger for congestion-prone skin. That puts Sesame Oil squarely in the judgement-call zone, where your skin type and the product's formula decide the outcome.
This rating is disputed. Credible sources land on different numbers for Sesame Oil, so we publish the range (3) rather than a false single figure. When sources disagree this openly, your own experience carries real weight.
One thing the number cannot tell you is concentration. Ingredients are listed in descending order, so Sesame Oil near the end of a label is present in tiny amounts and matters far less than the same ingredient near the top.
About Sesame Oil
It is a plant- or seed-derived oil, valued for the emollient, conditioning feel it gives a formula. A traditional massage oil commonly rated 2-3. Heavier than most seed oils, so it can sit in pores on oily skin.
On a label it can read as Sesame Oil, Sesame, Sesame Seed, Sesamum Indicum — worth knowing when you scan an ingredient deck.
Sesame Oil in makeup and skincare
In makeup it turns up in cream blushes, tinted balms, and hydrating foundations; in skincare, in face oils and cleansing balms. Its irritancy is rated separately at 0/5, which is low.
If you deal with fungal acne (malassezia folliculitis) rather than ordinary clogged pores, note that Sesame Oil is among the fatty-acid or ester-type ingredients that community sources commonly avoid — a separate concern from its comedogenic score, and one with weaker evidence behind it.
Lower-rated alternatives to Sesame Oil
If you want a similar role with a friendlier comedogenic score, consider:
- Squalane — comedogenic rating 1/5 (Low risk).
- Hemp Seed Oil — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
- Sunflower Oil — comedogenic rating 0/5 (Low risk).
Sesame Oil comedogenic FAQ
Is Sesame Oil comedogenic?
Moderately. Sesame Oil is rated 3/5 (moderate), the middle of the 0–5 scale: many people tolerate it, but it can contribute to breakouts on congestion-prone skin. Sources disagree on Sesame Oil, so the rating is less settled than most.
What is the comedogenic rating of Sesame Oil?
Sesame Oil has a comedogenic rating of 3/5 (moderate). Of the 190 ingredients in our dataset with a published rating, 39 rate higher than Sesame Oil, 97 rate lower, and 53 others share its 3/5. Among the 38 rated oils, 5 rate higher and 21 lower. The figure is drawn from 2 cited sources, listed on this page.
Is Sesame Oil pore-clogging?
It can be for some people. At 3/5, Sesame Oil is in the moderate band. How much it matters depends on concentration: near the top of an ingredient list it is a bigger factor than near the end. Comedogenic ratings come mostly from rabbit-ear assays and small human patch tests of the pure ingredient at high concentration, so they are a screening guide, not a prediction for your skin or a medical claim.