Jojoba comes from a shrub native to the desert regions of North America — the kind of plant that survives brutal heat and dry conditions without much fuss. The nut it produces has been used for its healing properties for a long time, long before it showed up in skincare products.
Here’s what it actually does for your skin.
Derived from the nut of the Jojoba plant, Jojoba oil is renowned for its numerous benefits, thanks to its moisturizing, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Interestingly, Jojoba oil is technically classified as a wax ester rather than an oil, making it a popular choice in the cosmetic industry for various applications. Now, let’s delve into the remarkable properties that make Jojoba oil a standout in skincare.
Benefits Associated with Jojoba Oil
1. It May Cure Acne
One of the benefits of Jojoba oil is its positive impact on the treatment of acne. Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents, making it the right oil for treating acne (1). In addition, according to one clinical trial conducted in 2012 in Germany, Jojoba oil can keep acne at bay (2).
Jojoba oil has molecular similarities with sebum, naturally present in our skin. Therefore, jojoba oil helps dissolve the extra sebum that blocks the pores of your skin. Removing the excess sebum brings immense relief from acne pain. In addition, jojoba oil could help you avoid acne breakouts and heal mild acne.
Also Read – Can Jojoba Oil Treat Acne?
2. Jojoba Oil As Moisturizer
For individuals grappling with dry and scaly skin, Jojoba oil emerges as a potent solution, recognized for its exceptional moisturizing properties. Its effectiveness is heightened by its structural similarity to sebum, our skin’s natural oil, facilitating efficient absorption.
As an effective humectant, Jojoba oil forms a protective barrier on the skin, thwarting moisture loss and safeguarding against pollutants and allergens. This dual action preserves skin hydration and shields against external threats, helping prevent dryness and the emergence of patchy scales. Elevate your skincare routine with the nourishing touch of Jojoba oil for a hydrated and resilient complexion. (3)
3. It Cures Skin Wounds
Skin wounds often lead to problems of stress. All those wondering if Jojoba oil can cure skin wounds need to know that Jojoba is one of the most effective ingredients in treating injuries. Jojoba oil helps in closing open wounds. As it forms a natural barrier that prevents the entry of germs inside, it speeds up the healing process and keeps bacterial infection away. Preliminary research shows that this oil promotes your skin cells to come together and bind up, thus healing a scratch or cut (4).
4. It is Anti-bacterial
Jojoba oil contains antimicrobial and antifungal properties. However, a lab test found that Jojoba oil kills not all bacterial or fungal species but certain bacteria and fungi, resulting in salmonella, an E. coli infection, and Candida.
5. For Healing Arthritis and Joint Pain
Jojoba oil may help cure stubborn skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, and chapped skin. In addition, Jojoba contains an ingredient known as myristic acid that has helped some people get rid of joint pain and even arthritis.
6. Treats Skin Problems
Most of the cosmetic products that you use contain Jojoba oil. Unfortunately, there are far too many uses of this natural ingredient. You can use Jojoba oil to clean your makeup thoroughly. It can also clean waterproof makeup and will exfoliate your skin and leave it moisturized.
If you have a skin injury, it helps reduce redness and soreness. In addition, it works as an anti-inflammatory product and is sure to help you get rid of the wound much more quickly. Jojoba oil is a natural ingredient that prevents side effects and will not harm your skin.
Although Jojoba oil is primarily used for treating a wide array of skin troubles, you can also find it in shampoos and lotions. When applied directly on the scalp, it will control oil production and give you smooth hair devoid of grease. In addition, its moisturizing property ensures that you will have soft and silky hair that is bound to look good.
7. Anti-Ageing Properties
As you age, fine lines and wrinkles will start to appear. This process fastens up under oxidative stress. Jojoba oil may help you smoothen your skin again. It has to be noted that there is no direct research that suggests Jojoba oil treats wrinkles and fine lines. It is inferred that other plant products with antioxidants can improve skin elasticity. It means that the antioxidant power of Jojoba oil may slow down the signs of aging (5).
Also Read – 10 Best Moisturizers for Oily and Acne-Prone Skin – Get a Shine-Free, Matte Face
8. Soothe Your Sunburns
As per one of the studies, when combined with other antioxidants, Vitamin E can protect your skin from sun damage (6). That is why some natural sunscreen products use Jojoba oil as one of the ingredients.
9. Get Super Glossy Hair with Jojoba Oil
Since it is a lighter oil, Jojoba oil can be used for every hair type. It is primarily a blessing for people with fine or thin hair.
Apart from this, its sebum-like qualities make it highly beneficial for curly hair, as we know that people with curly hair tend to have scanty natural sebum production on the scalp, making hair frizzy and dull (7).
10. Fight Cold Sores
Jojoba oil contains docosanol (the active ingredient in OTC cold sore creams), which fights the virus by blocking its way to healthy cells. Hence, Jojoba oil works as an inhibitor of viruses. But first, you need to dab the oil onto your cold sore with the help of a clean cotton swab.
How to Use It?
Unlike other oils, Jojoba oil can be used directly on your skin without diluting it with other oils. Ensure you go through a patch test before applying it for the first time. You should always follow a standard procedure whenever applying any new product to your skin. This step is essential to avoid any allergic reaction to your skin.
You can perform a patch test by following these steps:
- Apply a few drops of jojoba oil on your inner forearm
- Cover the area with a cloth or bandage and wait 24 hours
- Now, put off the bandage and check the skin underneath. If you find no sign of hives, redness, or irritation, you are ready to enjoy its skin benefits.
Various Ways to Use Jojoba Oil
Depending upon your needs, you may use it in innumerable ways:
- You may use it as a lip balm to soothe dry, cracked lips
- You can apply it as an anti-aging serum at nighttime
- For treating your acne, you can make your DIY mask. First, mix bentonite clay with Jojoba oil and apply it to your affected area for 20 to 30 minutes.
- It can also be safely used around your eyes, making it a popular makeup remover. One can remove eye makeup while moisturizing the area.
- You may add some drops of Jojoba oil to your daily cream. It will provide your skin with an extra boost of moisturization.
- A few drops of Jojoba oil can be used after washing your hair. Apply at the end of your roots. This will work as a hair serum, especially for dry hair.
The main thing that you need to check is that the Jojoba oil that you are using is pure. It should not contain any other additives and even any vegetable oil as it will take away some of the useful benefits of this oil.
Potential Side Effects and Risks of Jojoba Oil
While Jojoba oil is generally considered safe for topical application, being hypoallergenic, conducting a patch test is advisable due to rare cases of allergic reactions reported, presenting symptoms like hives, itching, and rashes in some individuals.
Caution should be exercised regarding internal use, and it is strictly advised not to consume Jojoba oil. Pregnant and lactating individuals should consult their doctor before topical application.
Internally, Jojoba oil is deemed unsafe due to the presence of erucic acid, which may lead to serious side effects, including heart damage. Always prioritize safety and seek professional advice for any concerns related to Jojoba oil usage.
Also Read – Stretch Marks, Causes, and Care – 11 Best Removal Creams to Try
Choose the Best Jojoba Oil According to Your Skin Type
For this, follow the given instructions
- Always go for the organic, cold-pressed, unrefined Jojoba oil, as the processed one contains many preservatives that may irritate your skin.
- Make sure that Jojoba oil is the main ingredient in your product. You can get the desired benefits if the product has ample oil. It should not be a supplemental ingredient.
- Look out for its color. Pure Jojoba oil should be yellow to gold in color.
- One of its best characteristics is its ability to absorb fast, so if you feel it sits in your skin, then most probably, it is of substandard quality.
Summary
If you are looking for something that can nourish your skin and hair, then turn yourself to Jojoba oil. Due to its rich antioxidant content, it works as an anti-aging and depigmenting agent. Along with this, it heals skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. It is also used in various hair products to fight dandruff. Moreover, it works miraculously to smoothen out wrinkles and fine lines. It leaves the skin and hair wonderfully moisturized.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Vitamins does Jojoba oil contain?
It is especially rich in Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant and skin-nourishing agent. Vitamin E is known to keep age-related signs at bay. Furthermore, it has Vitamin A and D.
Does it lighten the skin?
Research indicates that Jojoba Oil increases the skin’s suppleness in the short term and heals scars and sunburn. This is because of the rich vitamin E content of Jojoba oil. In addition, it may help lighten dark patches of skin due to its skin repair qualities. However, there is no direct link to show that it lightens the skin as bleaching agents do.
Can Jojoba oil be used as an occlusive?
Yes, it can be used as an occlusive like cocoa butter, petroleum, lanolin, etc.
Is Jojoba oil a heat protectant?
If you are trying to avoid silicones, Jojoba oil is an alternative heat protectant. It forms a protective coating around your strands, making them resistant to heat and chemical damage.
Can Jojoba oil be consumed?
No. It has erucic acid, so one should not consume it.
References
- “A review on plant importance, biotechnological aspects, and cultivation challenges of jojoba plant” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Clay Jojoba Oil Facial Mask for Lesioned Skin and Mild Acne – Results of a Prospective, Observational Pilot Study” – karger.com
- “13 Reasons to Add Jojoba Oil to Your Skin Care Routine” – healthline.com
- “Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study” – pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell Longevity” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “The Role of Phytonutrients in Skin Health” – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Jojoba” – webmd.com
