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Everyone needs jojoba oil. Whether your skin is dry, oily or somewhere in between; Jojoba oilโs got you. Itโs pronounced HO-HO-BA, not JO-JO-BA. (But honestly, whoโs not tempted to call it the latter? If itโs spelt like that, itโs only fair!) Quirky name aside, this liquid gold might just become your skinโs new best friend.
Did you know that The word ‘jojoba,’ pronounced ‘ho-ho-ba,’ has an interesting origin? It’s a modified form of ‘howhowi,’ a word from the Papago Indian language. You would find jojoba oil in basically everything including bath oil, body oil, cleansing creams, cleansing pads, cleansing scrubs, nourishing facial cream, facial oil, hair conditioner, hair oil, makeup remover, and shaving cream.

But what exactly is jojoba oil and what are its benefits to the skin and hair? Read along to find out
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is a clear gold liquid that is extracted from the seeds of the Jojoba plant which goes by the name Simmondsia chinensis or Buxus chinensis. If you see that name on ingredient labels, know you are dealing with jojoba oil. The plant grows in the desert of northwest Mexico and adjacent areas in Arizona and southern California that grow up to 15 feet.
The oil extracted from the seeds is wonderful for the skin and hair because it is very hardy and resistant to oxidative degradation which means it is very stable. If you heat it to 370ยฐC (698ยฐF) for 96 hours, the oil will maintain its stability compared to other plant oils that would have gone bad. So, if youโve got pure jojoba oil stashed away, donโt worryโitโll be there for you for years.
Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax ester and not an oil. It is composed of almost 98% pure waxes (mainly wax esters, few free fatty acids, alcohols, and hydrocarbons), sterols, and vitamins with few triglyceride esters, so it is widely known as liquid wax rather than oil or fat.
Another great thing about jojoba oil is that it is the most similar to human sebum. If you apply jojoba oil to your skin, it can โtrickโ the skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production, which is great for oily skin.

Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Skin and Hair
1. Keeps Your Skin Feeling Soft and Supple
It boosts suppleness, helping your skin stretch and move without cracking, flaking, or feeling scaly. Unlike heavier oils like lanolin or petrolatum, jojoba oil has a light, silky texture that doesnโt leave you feeling greasy. This makes it perfect for anyone who loves hydrated skin without the oily residue
2. Reduces Water Loss From The Skin
It keeps moisture locked in by reducing water loss from the skin, but it doesnโt suffocate it. Thanks to its high molecular weight and low viscosity and how similar it is with the skin sebum, jojoba oil prevents evaporation while allowing your skin to breathe. This is great if you have dry skin.
3. Mimics Your Skinโs Natural Oil
Jojoba oil is remarkably similar to sebum, the oil your skin naturally produces. This means it blends effortlessly with your skin, smoothing dry patches, reducing flakiness, and restoring your skinโs natural glow. Itโs like giving your skin a little nudge to do what it does best.
4. Elasticity Booster and Shine Restorer
Skin indentation tests have shown that jojoba oil can enhance skin elasticity, making it more resilient and less prone to fine lines or wrinkles. It even has a keratoplastic effect, which means it helps bring back your skinโs natural shine. Thus, it is recommended to use jojoba oil alone or with other natural oils to maintain the natural appearance of the skin.
5. A Natural Acne Fighter
Thanks to its unique composition as a liquid wax, jojoba oil acts like a deep-cleaning agent for your skin. It can dive into hair follicles, break down excess oil, and unclog poresโall without causing irritation or dryness. Mosovichโs research confirmed its high effectiveness in treating acne, with no burning, itching, or side effects reported. Plus, you can use jojoba oil on its own or pair it with other treatments for a boosted effect.
6. A Soothing Solution for Psoriasis
If youโre dealing with the excessive scaling and discomfort of psoriasis, jojoba oil might just be your new best friend. Its keratoplastic properties (helping to restore the skinโs natural barrier) and mild keratolytic effects (gently sloughing off excess skin) work together to reduce scaling and soothe the skin. Research shows that jojoba oilโs gentle yet effective nature makes it a great addition to psoriasis treatment routines.
7. Soothing Inflammation and Sunburns
Research has shown that jojoba oil can help reduce both acute and chronic skin inflammation. Whether itโs a sunburn or thermal damage, jojoba oil has been found to decrease swelling and alleviate pain. A study conducted by Habashy et al. in 2005 demonstrated that jojoba oil reduces swelling and even the levels of prostaglandin E2 (a molecule linked to inflammation). The secret? Jojoba oil blocks two major enzymes, cyclooxygenase II and lipoxygenase, both of which play key roles in the bodyโs inflammatory response.
8. Safe and Effective for Sensitive Skin
Jojoba oil has also been put to the test in treating Napkin rashโa common irritation in infants. In a clinical trial, jojoba liquid wax performed as well as a standard treatment involving a heavy-duty combination of triamcinolone acetonide, nystatin, neomycin, and gramicidin. But hereโs the kicker: jojoba oil delivered the same results without the potential side effects that come with these synthetic treatments.
9. A Natural Moisturizer for Dry, Damaged Hair
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins C, B and E, copper and zinc to provide your hair with nourishment. This also makes it an excellent moisturizer. When added to your conditioner, it provides a protective shield against dryness, breakage, and split ends. Its lightweight texture hydrates without weighing your hair down, leaving you with soft, smooth, and healthy-looking locks.
10. Soothes the Scalp and Fights Dandruff
Its anti-inflammatory properties support a healthy scalp, addressing redness and itchiness associated with dandruff. Plus, jojoba oil mimics the natural oils (sebum) produced by your skin, helping to balance oil production and reduce the risk of buildup that can exacerbate dandruff.
Side Effects of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is one of the safest and most skin-friendly oils available, with minimal risk of irritation or allergic reactions. Its gentle nature makes it suitable for a wide range of skin types, including sensitive and acne-prone skin. Here is what science says:
- Extensive patch tests on humans have shown that jojoba oil rarely causes allergic reactions. Even those with sensitive skin or conditions like contact dermatitis did not experience irritation when exposed to either crude or refined jojoba oil. However, individuals with severe allergies (hyperallergic people) should proceed with caution and always perform a patch test before use.

DIY: How to Use Jojoba Oil in Your Skincare Routine
1. AS A MAKEUP REMOVER
- Apply a few drops of jojoba oil to a cotton pad or your fingertips and gently massage it onto your face, focusing on areas with makeup. Wipe away with a damp washcloth and follow up with your favorite cleanser.
- Jojoba oilโs gentle yet effective cleansing properties make it a perfect natural makeup remover.
2. AS A MOISTURIZER
- After cleansing, apply a few drops of jojoba oil directly to your face and neck. Massage gently until itโs absorbed. You can also mix it with your regular moisturizer for added hydration.
- Jojoba oil mimics your skinโs natural sebum, making it ideal for balancing oil production and locking in moisture.
3. fOR ACNE/BLEMISHES/SENSITIVE SKIN
- Dab a small amount of jojoba oil onto blemishes with a clean cotton swab. Its lightweight texture wonโt clog pores, making it a safe spot treatment.
- Thanks to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, jojoba oil can help soothe acne-prone skin.
If your skin feels irritated or inflamed, jojoba oil can provide soothing relief.
- Apply jojoba oil to affected areas, like redness or minor sunburns, to reduce discomfort and promote healing.
DIY: How to Use Jojoba Oil in Your Haircare Routine
1. Deep conditioning treatment
- Warm 2โ3 tablespoons of jojoba oil (depending on your hair length) until itโs slightly warm but not hot.
- Apply the oil from roots to tips, massaging it into your scalp for a few minutes.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap or towel and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Rinse thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner.
- This will help hydrate dry/brittle hair and nourish the scalp
2. scalp massage for hair growth
- Mix 1โ2 tablespoons of jojoba oil with a few drops of essential oil like rosemary or peppermint.
- Use your fingertips to gently massage the mixture into your scalp in circular motions for 5โ10 minutes.
- Leave it on overnight or rinse it off after an hour.
- This will help stimulate hair follicles and balance oil production on the scalp.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post answers all of your questions about jojoba oil. It is a very wonderful oil but not without risk even though it is one of the safest oils out there. It is advisable to apply a small amount of jojoba oil to the inside of your wrist or behind your ear and wait 24 hours to check for any adverse reactions. I hope you like this post, give it a like and share it with your friends and families.
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