Mustard Oil (Sarson ka Tel) for Skin: Benefits and Side Effects
Mustard oil (sarson ka tel) is a traditional Indian massage oil that softens and seals moisture into dry skin, thanks to its high oleic and linoleic acid content plus vitamin E. It is heavy, strongly scented and slow to absorb, so it suits dry body skin far better than the face β and it is a poor choice for acne-prone or sensitive skin.
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Explore the Hydrating Face Moisturiser βWhat is mustard oil and why has it been used on skin for so long?
Mustard oil is pressed from the seeds of Brassica juncea, and in most Indian households it arrives on the skin long before it arrives in a skincare routine β as the oil used for a baby's maalish, a winter leg massage, or a scalp rub before a hair wash. Its staying power is practical rather than mystical: it is inexpensive, available in every kitchen, and its thickness means a very small amount covers a lot of skin.
Its fatty acid profile is what does the work. Mustard oil is roughly 60% monounsaturated fat (largely oleic and erucic acid) and around 15β20% linoleic acid, alongside vitamin E (tocopherol) and sulphur-containing compounds called glucosinolates. The oleic acid softens and lubricates. The linoleic acid matters more for skin health β it is a building block your skin barrier uses to hold water in. The vitamin E is a mild antioxidant.
What does mustard oil actually do for your skin?
Mustard oil works almost entirely as an occlusive and emollient β it smooths the surface and slows water loss, rather than changing pigment, texture or acne at any depth. Here is what is reasonable to expect, and what is not.
| Claim you will hear | What is actually supportable |
|---|---|
| Softens rough, dry skin | Yes. Oleic acid and vitamin E smooth the surface and reduce water loss from dry body skin. |
| Warms the body in winter | Partly. The warmth comes from the massage and from irritation of the skin's nerve endings, not from the oil heating tissue. |
| Lightens the skin or removes tan | No. No oil changes melanin production. Any "brighter" look is light reflecting off a smoother, better-hydrated surface. |
| Fades dark spots and pigmentation | No. Pigment sits in the epidermis and needs a tyrosinase-pathway active such as niacinamide, alpha arbutin or kojic acid. |
| Clears acne because it is antibacterial | No. Mustard oil has mild antimicrobial activity in a lab dish, but on skin it is far more likely to worsen acne than help it. |
| Removes hair or slows hair growth | No. There is no mechanism for this. |
Is mustard oil safe to put on your face?
For most people, mustard oil is a poor face oil β not because it is dangerous, but because it is badly matched to facial skin. It is thick, slow to absorb and sits on the surface, which makes it a realistic trigger for clogged pores and breakouts on the face, where oil glands are already dense.
Three specific issues are worth knowing:
- Comedogenicity. Mustard oil is rated moderately comedogenic. If you are acne-prone, it is one of the likelier home oils to give you closed comedones along the jaw, forehead and hairline.
- Erucic acid. Mustard oil is high in erucic acid, which is why many countries restrict it for food use. On intact adult skin applied occasionally, this is not a meaningful safety concern β but it is a reason not to treat it as a daily leave-on facial product.
- Irritation and contact dermatitis. The allyl isothiocyanate that gives mustard oil its sharp smell is a genuine irritant. Redness, stinging and allergic contact dermatitis are well documented, particularly on broken or eczema-prone skin.
There is one group who should avoid it outright: newborns and young infants. Studies of traditional newborn massage have found mustard oil can disrupt the developing skin barrier and increase water loss compared with neutral oils. If you want an oil for a baby massage, a bland option such as plain sunflower oil is the better-evidenced choice.
Who should avoid mustard oil, and who can use it?
The honest split is by body site and skin type rather than by any single rule.
- Reasonable: dry legs, arms, elbows, knees and feet; a pre-wash scalp oil; an occasional warm body massage in winter.
- Avoid: the face if you are acne-prone or oily; any actively inflamed, broken or eczema-prone skin; newborn and infant massage; anyone with a known mustard or brassica allergy.
If you do use it on the body, apply it to slightly damp skin after a shower so there is water underneath for the oil to seal in β an occlusive with nothing beneath it has very little to hold.
How to use mustard oil safely
- Patch test first. Apply a small amount to your inner forearm and leave it 24 hours. Given how common mustard irritation is, this step is not optional.
- Warm it gently, never heat it. Body-temperature oil spreads further. Genuinely hot oil is a burn risk and degrades the vitamin E.
- Use it on damp skin. Straight after a bath, while skin still holds water.
- Keep it to the body. Leave the face to products formulated to sit on it.
- Wash it off the scalp properly. Left on, it can contribute to flaking and to breakouts along the hairline.
- Store it in a dark, cool place. Unsaturated oils go rancid, and rancid oil is more irritating.
What to use instead if your goal is hydration, brightness or clear skin
Mustard oil is a sealing step. It cannot supply water, and it cannot reach pigment or acne. Matching the tool to the job works better:
- If your skin is dry or tight: you need a humectant that pulls water in, then something to hold it. A 2% Hyaluronic Acid + Japanese Rice Water moisturiser does both without the weight. Our guide to humectants, emollients and occlusives explains which layer does what.
- If you want to even out tone: pigment responds to correctly dosed actives, not oils β see niacinamide vs vitamin C.
- If you are breaking out: start with a salicylic acid cleanser rather than an oil. Our piece on hair oil and hairline acne covers why oils and breakouts travel together.
- If your dryness is seasonal: the winter skincare routine for Indian skin is a better framework than reaching for the sarson bottle.
Traditional oils earn their place as comfort and as body care. Skin health starts before the serum β but when you are trying to change something specific, the dose that works matters more than the heritage of the bottle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply mustard oil on my face every night?
We would not recommend it. Nightly leave-on mustard oil on the face is a realistic route to clogged pores and irritation, particularly for oily and acne-prone Indian skin. If you want a nightly step, use a moisturiser formulated for facial skin.
Does mustard oil remove tan or lighten skin?
No. Tan is melanin produced in response to UV, and no plant oil switches that off. Reducing tan needs daily sunscreen plus a pigment-targeting active. Skin can look brighter after oiling simply because a smooth, hydrated surface reflects light more evenly.
Is mustard oil good for dark circles?
There is no evidence it fades under-eye darkness. The skin there is thin and easily irritated, and mustard oil is an irritant β so the risk outweighs any softening benefit.
Can mustard oil cause pimples?
Yes, it can. It is moderately comedogenic and slow to absorb, so on the face, chest and back it can contribute to closed comedones and breakouts, especially in humid weather.
Is mustard oil safe for babies?
It is best avoided for newborn and infant massage. Research on traditional newborn oiling has found mustard oil can impair the developing skin barrier and increase water loss compared with neutral oils. Speak to your paediatrician about a bland alternative.
Is it better to eat mustard oil or apply it?
They are different questions. As a cooking oil it contributes fatty acids to your diet; applied to skin it acts as a surface emollient. Neither delivers pigment or acne benefits to the skin, and the two uses should not be treated as interchangeable.
Reviewed by Dr. Rupali Gupta. This article is general information about skincare ingredients and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If your skin is persistently irritated, painful or not improving, see a dermatologist.