Food · Oils & fats
Sesame Oil
ごま油 (Goma abura)
Also known as: Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| INCI name | Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil (for cosmetic use)↗ |
| Japanese labeling name | ゴマ油 |
| Common Japanese notations | ごま油, 胡麻油, ゴマアブラ |
| Origin | Plant-derived (Sesamum indicum seeds) |
| Typical functions | Culinary fat, Cosmetic emollient |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Food regulated under Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic use permitted under JSCI dictionary. |
Sesame oil has a long presence in Japanese cooking, where both light-colored unroasted sesame oil and dark roasted sesame oil are pantry staples. The cosmetic-grade oil is used in face and body products, often in formulations referencing heritage botanical oils.
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Classification
Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.
Product applications
Regulatory tags
Origin
Common OEM product categories
Finished-product categories where Japanese OEM manufacturers commonly formulate with this ingredient.
- Japanese and Chinese-style cooking
- Traditional cosmetic oils
- Ayurveda-adjacent personal care
Ingredient profile
Sesame oil is produced by pressing Sesamum indicum seeds. Unroasted sesame oil is light-colored and mild; roasted sesame oil is produced by roasting the seeds before pressing, yielding a dark amber oil with strong aroma.
For cosmetic use, unrefined or refined unroasted sesame oil is standard; the roasted version is rarely used in cosmetics due to its intense aroma.
OEM applications
In cooking, roasted sesame oil is used as a finishing oil for flavor; unroasted sesame oil is used for tempura and general cooking.
In cosmetics, sesame oil is used as an emollient in face oils, massage oils, and body products.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Food and cosmetic use permitted under the relevant frameworks.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Food and cosmetic uses permitted. Sesame is a listed allergen for food labeling purposes. |
|---|---|
| USA | Food and cosmetic uses permitted. Sesame is a listed allergen under FALCPA 2021. |
| China | Permitted. |
| Korea | Widely used in Korean cuisine as well. |
Market reference formulations
Example finished products will be added after verification.
All brand names and product names referenced anywhere on this site are the property of their respective owners. Example entries are provided for informational purposes only and do not imply endorsement.
Seasonality & supply calendar
- Harvest months
- Source sesame seeds harvested October – November (Japan small volume); imports from Africa / Latin America have varied harvest seasons
- Peak supply
- Pressing and bottling year-round from stored seed stock
- Off-season
- None — pressed oil is shelf-stable
Source: 農林水産省 / 財務省貿易統計. Domestic sesame production is <0.1% of national consumption; imports dominate.
Stability & compatibility
- pH range
- Not aqueous — oil phase
- Temperature
- Smoke point ~210°C (refined) / ~180°C (toasted); standard cooking and cosmetic processing safe
- Incompatibilities
- Strong oxidizers
Naturally rich in sesamin / sesamolin antioxidants — exceptional oxidative stability vs. comparable seed oils. Refer to JAS 食用ごま油 標準.
Storage requirements
How the receiving OEM facility needs to handle inbound raw material.
- Temperature
- Room temperature ≤25°C; refrigerated for cold-pressed grade
- Conditions
- Sealed in opaque or amber bottles
- Shelf life
- Refined 12 months; cold-pressed / toasted 6 months opened
JAS 食用ごま油 + 業界基準
Supply concentration
Where this ingredient comes from — useful for single-source-risk planning.
- Primary regions
- Source seeds: imported (Africa, Latin America); pressing facilities in Aichi, Tokyo
- Import dependence
- Domestic sesame seed production <0.1% of consumption; >99% imported
農林水産省 / 財務省貿易統計
Certifications commonly available
Certification schemes commonly obtainable for this raw material. Always confirm the specific supplier's current certificate before contracting.
| Scheme | Availability | |
|---|---|---|
| Organic JAS | On-request | Few domestic options; imported organic sesame oil more common |
| Halal | Common | |
| Kosher | Common | |
| Vegan | Inherent | |
| Non-GMO | Common | Sesame is non-GMO globally |
Alternative ingredients
Related ingredients commonly evaluated as substitutes.
Quick answers
- What is Sesame Oil?
- Sesame oil has a long presence in Japanese cooking, where both light-colored unroasted sesame oil and dark roasted sesame oil are pantry staples. The cosmetic-grade oil is used in face and body products, often in formulations referencing heritage botanical oils.
- What is the regulatory status of Sesame Oil in Japan?
- Food regulated under Food Sanitation Act. Cosmetic use permitted under JSCI dictionary.
- What products typically use Sesame Oil?
- Japanese and Chinese-style cooking / Traditional cosmetic oils / Ayurveda-adjacent personal care
- Where does Sesame Oil come from?
- Plant-derived (Sesamum indicum seeds)
- What is the INCI / JSCI labeling name for Sesame Oil?
- INCI: Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil (for cosmetic use) / JSCI: ゴマ油
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
Other ingredients that share an origin classification.
Manufacturers mentioning this ingredient
Japanese OEM factories whose published profile references this ingredient. Auto-detected from manufacturer descriptions; verify capabilities directly.
Regulatory guidance
Take the next step
FAQ for OEM buyers
Q. What is the difference between roasted (toasted) and unroasted sesame oil?
Roasted sesame oil (typically dark amber, intensely aromatic) is pressed from sesame seeds roasted at 200-220°C and is used as a finishing oil; unroasted sesame oil (pale yellow, neutral aroma) is pressed from raw seeds and used for tempura, general cooking, and as a cosmetic emollient. The two grades have different smoke points and sensory roles.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese sesame oil manufacturing (e.g., Kadoya, Takemoto)
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Q. What are sesamin and sesamolin and why are they relevant for supplement OEM?
Sesamin and sesamolin are lignan compounds naturally present in sesame seeds and oil, used as concentrated extracts in supplements positioned around antioxidant and liver-support claims. Several Foods with Function Claims notifications use sesamin as the functional component.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. Is Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil a standard cosmetic ingredient in Japan?
Yes — Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil is JSCI-listed and INCI-registered, and can be used in standard cosmetics in Japan and most export markets without special filing. Note that sesame is a major allergen in many jurisdictions (US, EU, Japan), requiring proper labeling in food products.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
Q. What are typical OEM pack sizes for cosmetic-grade sesame oil?
Cosmetic-grade Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil is commonly supplied in 16-18 kg pails or 180 kg drums; refined and cold-pressed grades are both available, with refined preferred for low-odor formulations and cold-pressed preferred for ingredient-narrative branding.
Sources · Last reviewed: 2026-04-26
- Industry knowledge — Japanese cosmetic ingredient supply
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Use cases
Premium roasted sesame oil bottle (gourmet retail)
- Positioning
- Stone-mill or traditional kettle-roast craft positioning
- Formulation notes
- Glass bottle 100-200 mL; emphasis on roasting craft and origin.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese specialty oil retail
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Sesamin supplement softgel (FFC-notified)
- Positioning
- Antioxidant or fatigue-recovery functional positioning
- Typical usage level
- 10 mg sesamin per dose (typical FFC spec)
- Formulation notes
- Concentrated extract in vegetable-oil softgel base.
Massage oil and Ayurvedic-style body oil
- Positioning
- Traditional emollient with skin-softening narrative
- Typical usage level
- 50-95% of formula
- Formulation notes
- Refined grade preferred to minimize odor; tocopherol added for stability.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — body oil formulation
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
Foodservice frying oil blend (unroasted sesame oil component)
- Positioning
- Restaurant tempura and Chinese-style frying applications
- Formulation notes
- Often blended with other vegetable oils for cost balance.
Sources
- Industry knowledge — Japanese foodservice oil supply
Industry-knowledge claim — not yet pinned to a single primary source
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Official regulatory databases
External links to public Japanese / international regulatory authorities. We are not affiliated.
References
- JSCI (Japanese Cosmetic Industry Association) labeling name directory — ゴマ油
- EU CosIng entry: Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil
Last updated: 2026-04-22. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.