What it is
In the register’s words: “Sesamum Indicum Seed Oil is the oil obtained from the seed of the Sesame, Sesamum indicum L., Pedaliaceae.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- SESAMUM INDICUM SEED OIL
- CAS number
- 8008-74-0
- EC number
- 232-370-6
Labels often add a second name in brackets, so a label may say Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil where the register says SESAMUM INDICUM SEED OIL. Both are the same ingredient.
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Hair conditioning
-
The register’s hair role for ingredients that make hair feel softer, smoother or easier to comb. Most conditioners, masks and leave-ins list several.
Register definition: “Enhancing the appearance and feel of hair. Leaving the hair easy to comb, supple, soft and shiny and/or imparting volume, lightness, gloss, texture, etc.”
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Fragrance
-
Gives the product its smell or covers an unpleasant one. A label may name each scent ingredient or group them as Fragrance (Parfum).
Register definition: “Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Leave-in conditioners 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Leave-in conditioners without it
- Hair oils 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Hair oils without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 25th of 34 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque Deep conditioner 33rd of 37 names
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner Leave-in conditioner 13th of 27 names
- Camille Rose Cocoa Nibs + Honey Ultimate Strength Serum Hair oil 2nd of 18 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other hair conditioning ingredients on these labels
- Glycerin 131 labels
- Panthenol 72 labels
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil 69 labels
- Behentrimonium Methosulfate 38 labels
- Caprylyl Glycol 37 labels
- Behentrimonium Chloride 34 labels
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine 34 labels
- Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil 34 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.