Jojoba oil (pronounced ho-ho-ba) is derived from the seed of the jojoba plant or shrub which grows in dry regions like those of Mexico and the Southwestern United States (especially southern Arizona and southern California).
This powerhouse ingredient has a ton of uses when it comes to skincare, thanks to its unique moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties that give hydration to any skin type.
Jojoba contains qualities that closely mimic our own natural sebum (the oils in our skin). This makes it the perfect addition to any skincare regimen because it is readily recognizable and absorbed by our bodies.
You’ll commonly find jojoba oil as an ingredient in beauty and wellness products, especially with other natural oils in essential oils and rollers. Let’s talk more about what jojoba oil can do for our skin and which ways it can be used in our daily routines.
What Are the Benefits of Jojoba Oil?
Before we jump into some great ideas for using jojoba oil, let’s look at the reasons why it’s beneficial to use on your skin. Studies show that jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can actually promote wound healing in the skin. Its clarifying properties have been said to help clogged pores and follicles, leading to clearer skin and a strong skin barrier.
Jojoba also contains moisturizing fatty acids, antioxidants like Vitamin E, and anti-fungal properties. Jojoba oil is considered a wax ester when looked at on a molecular level, which helps it perform like a seal and a humectant on top of the skin’s surface—locking in moisture along with all of its beneficial qualities underneath.
Allergic reactions to jojoba oil are rare and it is commonly considered to be a hypoallergenic ingredient, which is good news for those with acne-prone skin and sensitive skin.
Jojoba is a natural and powerful ingredient that works well with other ingredients and can show your dry skin the extra love it needs.
Now, here are some ways to use jojoba oil that you can start trying ASAP, in order to take advantage of its amazing benefits and revitalize your skin!
1. Nighttime Makeup Remover
Makeup removers work by binding to the oils in our makeup products so you can wash them off. Jojoba oil makes for a great choice as a makeup remover in your nighttime routine.
The waxy oil texture will help grab onto makeup particles so you can more easily wash them away. Plus, you’ll be getting the soothing and balancing benefits that will be welcomed by your skin.
2. Facial Oil
You can use jojoba oil on your face alone or as a carrier oil (a plain oil, such as coconut oil, used to dilute a product) for your harsher facial products, like retinol or salicylic acid. It makes a great choice if you’re in need of restoring balance to irritated or dry skin on your face.
Using non-pH balanced facial products and over-washing your skin can lead to the stripping of your face’s natural sebum oils. Jojoba’s properties are so close to our natural sebum that our skin often can not even tell the difference. This means that it may help stop the overproduction of your skin’s own sebum and thereby restore balance after a breakout (if you have active skin issues, always consult a dermatologist before using new products on your face).
Additionally, the natural Vitamin E in jojoba oil acts as a barrier to pollutants and other skin stressors in the environment around you. Jojoba oil not only restores harmony to aggravated skin but it protects it from further damage with its antioxidant qualities (potentially even improving the skin’s elasticity).
This ingredient is an overall winner for us when it comes to what we’re choosing for our facial products.
3. Essential Oil Carrier
Essential oils have so many wonderful benefits. Essential oils can be cold-pressed or steam distilled directly from their natural source, resulting in extremely pure and potent properties.
Their purity can sometimes mean that they are too harsh on the skin if applied directly. Jojoba oil is the perfect carrier oil for diluting and applying your essential oils.
Keep jojoba oil on hand so you can add a few drops to your essential oils when looking to use them topically. Create your own DIY essential oil blend or roller by combining your favorite oils with jojoba in a roller bottle or purchasing a convenient pre-made one.
Jojoba will not only help dilute the harshness of your pure essential oils but it will also help seal in all of its benefits, so your skin can truly soak up the natural ingredients.
Another reason to add jojoba to your essential oils is that it is colorless and odorless in its natural, purest form—so you can continue to enjoy your favorite essential oil scents without any interruption.
4. Lotion Supplement
Feeling particularly dry during the winter season? Add a few drops of jojoba oil to your favorite lotion to give it a boost of moisture and help it glide on even smoother.
This is a great way to add fatty acids and antioxidant power to your lotion and make it even more beneficial to the skin. Use it on harsh winter days when your dry, irritated skin is in need of some extra love. Apply liberally around commonly dry areas like knees, elbows, and feet.
5. Eczema and Psoriasis Aid
Jojoba oil is a good option for helping soothe sensitive skin that’s experiencing eczema or psoriasis flare-up. This is because it contains natural anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Just be sure to never apply it directly to any broken skin.
Massage the jojoba oil into the irritated area to help calm inflammation, dryness, and itchiness. You can also try adding some drops of jojoba oil to your usual eczema or psoriasis cream for a natural way to add in extra antioxidants and promote healing.
6. Chapstick Replacement
Many lip balm products contain jojoba oil because of its outstanding ability to lock in moisture. Skip the chemical-laden lip balms and just go right to the source of ultimate moisture by patting a drop or two of jojoba oil to your dry lips.
Use it alone or as a primer underneath your lipstick for a moisturized foundation that will better hold onto any products you layer on top.
Since jojoba oil is technically a wax on the molecular level, the texture is especially perfect for using on your lips. Jojoba oil will be your dry, chapped lips’ new best friend because it creates a protective film that keeps moisture locked in.
7. Cuticle Softener
Jojoba oil makes an excellent choice for a natural cuticle oil to soften and moisturize the dry, delicate skin around your nails. Prevent those annoying hangnails by dabbing a few drops of jojoba oil to nails and massaging in around the cuticle area. Repeat often!
Don’t stop at the cuticles. Massage your hands, which are often forgotten in our daily skincare routines. Promote silky smooth hands and comfortable cuticles with jojoba oil as your go-to option.
8. Scalp Soother
When it comes to your scalp and hair, jojoba oil is an excellent addition to keeping things soothed and moisturized. Jojoba’s antifungal and calming properties make it a helpful ingredient in fighting scalp irritation which can often be the cause of dandruff.
It is said to unclog pores and hair follicles which can help clear up your scalp and potentially promote hair growth.
Mix in a few drops with your shampoo and massage into your scalp for ultimate relaxation and dandruff relief. Jojoba oil can also be used as a moisturizing hair mask by adding it to your conditioner. Have frizz or split ends?
Promote silky strands and a healthy head by adding jojoba oil to your hair washing routine.
9. Massage Oil
Whether you’re kneading your own sore muscles or are lucky enough to get someone else to do it for you, opt for the natural choice and use jojoba oil as your massage oil. Anyone who has tried to massage someone’s back or shoulders without a massage oil knows that it just doesn’t work as well.
The waxy texture of jojoba oil allows it to slide onto skin smoothly, making it a top choice for massage therapists (professional or amateur). You can get a stress-relieving massage plus the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory benefits of jojoba oil at the same time.
10. Multipurpose Balm
Stash jojoba oil in your purse so you can be prepared for whatever small ailments may come your way while you’re out around town. Chapped lips, dry elbows, irritated skin reactions or allergy flare-ups, hangnails—be prepared for everything!
Jojoba oil’s similarity to your natural skin oil makes it the perfect multipurpose magic balm to keep on hand. It’s the oil that’s really a wax and has the moisturizing ability of both, plus more!
Final Thoughts on Jojoba Oil
In conclusion, you now have 10 reasons to add jojoba oil to your medicine cabinet or purse. Essential oils love (and need) jojoba oil to dilute them so they can work their magic onto your skin without their purity causing a harsh reaction.
Jojoba’s humectant ability to seal in moisture and mimic our own skin’s natural oils make it the perfect ingredient or add-in to any beauty routine. From your scalp down to your toenails, jojoba oil can keep your skin glowing and comfortably moisturized with the antioxidants to combat stressors around us. Apply it daily and feel the difference for yourself!
Sources:
Jojoba Oil for Face: 13 Benefits for Acne, Wrinkles, and More | Healthline