What is Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil comes from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant, a small shrub native to parts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. The jojoba plant, including the wax/oil in the seeds, has a rich history of use for skin health among the indigenous peoples of these regions. The name jojoba comes from the word Hohowi, which was the name given to the seeds/beans by the O’odham people. The oil is extracted via cold pressing and does not require any processing or refining before use.

Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Skin

Non-Comedogenic:

Because jojoba oil closely resembles the natural combination of oils and waxes produced by our own skin, it is less likely to clog pores. This property makes jojoba oil a great choice for all skin types, including acne-prone and combination skin. It Helps Balance Sebum Production: When applied to the skin, jojoba oil’s similarity to our natural sebum actually signals to our hair and sweat follicles that we don’t need to produce more sebum to moisturize. This communication with the skin helps prevent excess oil production and clogged pores.

Hypoallergenic:

Jojoba oil is a top choice for people with extremely sensitive or easily irritated skin. As a liquid wax ester rather than a fat-based oil, it is extremely well tolerated by all skin types and is less likely to cause any type of skin reaction.

Moisturizing:

Jojoba oil is considered a humectant, meaning it actually attracts water to the surface layers of the skin to help it retain moisture. Applying jojoba oil to clean, damp skin can enhance this effect.

Soothing and Protective:

Jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin that helps protect your skin from damage caused by daily contact with irritants.

Conditions: 

The moisturizing properties of jojoba oil combined with its high vitamin E content support skin elasticity and integrity for a smooth, vibrant appearance.

How to Use Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil can be applied directly to the skin or mixed with essential oils and other carrier oils for extra benefits. When applied to clean, slightly damp skin, jojoba oil will help lock in moisture for all-day hydration. Massage a small amount onto your face for a toning face serum, or mix with sesame oil for a luxuriously soft winter skin body oil.

Jojoba oil is safe to use around the eyes, nose, and mouth, so it can even be used as a makeup remover for oil-based makeup.

You can also use jojoba oil on your hair. Its moisturizing properties make it a great choice for dry or damaged hair, and it won’t leave a greasy sheen like many other oils. Massage a few drops into damp hair, or even add a few drops to your favorite conditioner. One of the best properties of jojoba oil is its shelf life. Because it’s a wax ester rather than a fat-based oil, it has a longer shelf life and doesn’t go rancid over time like other base oils can. Adding jojoba oil to homemade serums, creams, salves, and other skin care products can actually help extend their shelf life, too.