Jojoba oil is quickly becoming a treasured oil in the beauty and skincare community, and for a good reason. Jojoba is an oil that brings outstanding skin benefits, including a range of nourishing elements. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the oil you need in your beauty arsenal right now.

What Is Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba is a funny little word, but the oil packs significant benefits (BTW, it’s pronounced ho-ho-ba). This powerful oil is an emollient your skin craves. Why? Jojoba is a skin-regulating emollient that balances oil production (sebum), helps reduce acne, and adds a punch of antioxidants.

Phew! Did you get all that? It seems too good to be true, but it’s not – this oil is perfect for dry skin, acne-prone skin, sensitive skin, and redness. Jojoba oil is appropriate for anyone’s skin type, and it is safe for daily use. Jojoba oil isn’t actually an oil, though.

You heard us right; jojoba is a wax ester that mimics natural human sebum in the skin. This wax conditions the skin and seals in moisture without causing acne or clogging the pores. However, in this article we will refer to it as an oil to keep things streamlined.

Jojoba seed oil comes from the Chinensis plant shrub seeds, and it has been used since the early 1400s by Native Americans for its wound healing properties.

Jojoba oil is often combined with other cosmetic ingredients, especially oils and emollients such as shea butter and hyaluronic acid. There aren’t any ingredients known to interact with jojoba oil negatively.

Where Does Jojoba Oil Originate?

The jojoba plant is a hearty North American desert perennial that thrives in the warm desert temperatures of Southern Arizona, Southern California, and Northwestern Mexico. The seed of the jojoba plant is cold-pressed, producing jojoba oil, which accounts for 50% of the seed. Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins and minerals, making it a highly beneficial skincare treatment.

What Are The Benefits of Jojoba Oil?

So, now that you know what jojoba oil is, let’s discover its skin and other health benefits. Let’s discuss some of the top benefits of jojoba oil.

Jojoba Oil Deeply Hydrates & Moisturizes the Skin

Like a glass of water on a hot summer day, jojoba oil quenches your skin’s thirst. It is a light oil that quickly absorbs the skin, deeply penetrating to moisturize and add a natural glow.

Jojoba Oil Offers Antioxidant Protection

Jojoba oil is packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, copper, zinc, chromium, and flavonoids. All of these work together to protect the skin from the effects of oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress causes fine lines, and wrinkles. Jojoba oil protects and brightens the skin, and is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin’s barrier.

Jojoba Oil Soothes Sensitive Skin

Those of you that have sensitive skin, rejoice! Jojoba oil helps reduce redness and calms the skin. Mix jojoba with your favorite moisturizer or straight up after cleansing for soothing hydration you’ll love.

Jojoba oil helps calming the hair follicles and reducing sebum production. This oil helps keep your skin from appearing oily by regulating oil production.

Jojoba Oil Is Non-Comedogenic

Since jojoba oil mimics your skin’s natural oil production, it balances your skin and eases acne. Jojoba is not likely to build up on your skin, causing clogged pores and acne.

Jojoba Helps Fight Cold Sores

Jojoba oil contains docosanol, an active ingredient that is found in OTC cold sore creams. This ingredient stops the virus from getting into healthy cells. Use jojoba as a carrier oil for tea tree oil or peppermint oil to combat these pesky sores once and for all.

Jojoba Oil Removes Makeup

Jojoba oil removes your makeup better than soap and water, so it serves your skin in more ways than one. It is an excellent natural makeup remover that banishes makeup, bacteria, and dirt from your face. It is hypoallergenic and safer than using chemical makeup removers on your skin.

Jojoba Oil Soothes Sunburns

Since jojoba oil is super hydrating, it is excellent for sunburns. The healing properties in the oil help prevent peeling and support soft, supple skin. This healing ability is why jojoba oil is a common ingredient in many sunscreen products.

The vitamin E and antioxidants in jojoba help protect your skin from sun damage and restore moisture to combat dehydrated, peeling skin.

Jojoba Oil Is Hypoallergenic

Jojoba oil is a wax ester on a molecular level. When applied, its waxy consistency serves as a soothing seal on the surface of your skin. However, it quickly absorbs into the skin and typically does not cause allergic reactions, and these reactions are very uncommon.

Jojoba Oil May Promote Collagen Production

Jojoba oil is rich in antioxidants that may encourage collagen synthesis. Collagen is necessary for your skin’s elasticity and joints, but your body’s levels of this protein decrease with age. You visually see the effects of collagen loss in the face and skin when people age.

One study indicated that collagen synthesis improves when antioxidants penetrate the skin.

Jojoba Oil Can Be An Effective Makeup Primer

Jojoba oil’s natural moisturizing and hydrating properties make it a great option for a makeup primer. When you use jojoba oil on your face, it can create a natural and dewy glow under your foundation for a youthful and lively complexion.

Jojoba Oil May Help Minimize Fine Lines

Many plant products prove their ability to improve elasticity in the skin through their antioxidant power. Although there is no research proving jojoba oil lessens wrinkles, it does prove to contain powerful antioxidants. This research means that jojoba oil  lessens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Jojoba Oil May Minimize the Appearance of Scars

If you’ve ever searched for a cream to minimize scars, you’ve probably come across vitamin E. Vitamin E is well-known for its ability to reduce the appearance of scars, making it a popular ingredient in many scar creams. Jojoba oil contains vitamin E, so it may minimize the appearance of scars.

Jojoba Oil Relieves Razor Burn

Jojoba oil’s waxy texture is fantastic for shaving in lieu of shaving cream. It helps eliminate cuts and razor burn and prevents clogged pores. Apply jojoba oil before shaving to create a smooth canvas for shaving, and after for ultra-hydrated skin post-shave. It also helps nourish the skin with vitamins and minerals.

Jojoba Oil Contains Vitamin E and Vitamin B Complex

The vitamin B complex in jojoba oil helps support hormone balance and encourages the skin to heal. Jojoba also fights free radicals and oxidation in the skin, promoting a younger, more radiant complexion. The vitamin E in jojoba oil helps strengthen the capillary walls in the skin and improves elasticity.

Which Skin Type Works Best With Jojoba Oil?

The four skin types react differently to jojoba oil. Here is the breakdown by skin type:

• Oily Skin: Jojoba oil is fantastic for oily skin because it balances oil production. It keeps skin clean and won’t clog your pores.

• Sensitive Skin: Jojoba oil is soothing and gentle to the skin so it is perfect for sensitive skin types.

• Dry Skin: Jojoba oil helps skin retain water and has intense skin moisturizing benefits. It is ideal for dry skin types.

• Combination Skin: Jojoba oil balances your skin’s sebum production, so it helps moisturize when needed or maintain or reduce oil when needed.

Everyone’s skin is different. Contact your dermatologist if you are unsure whether jojoba oil is right for you,

How To Use Jojoba Oil on Your Face

Using jojoba oil on your skin is very beneficial, especially when you use it on your face. Opt for pure jojoba oil, free of chemicals and fillers. Three Ships Beauty Glow 49% Jojoba Oil Serum is just that. Here’s how to apply it.

1. Cleanse your face with a natural cleanser.
2. Follow the cleanse with a natural toner.
3. Apply a natural facial cream.
4. Gently pat two to five drops of jojoba oil onto your face.
5. Apply sunscreen (AM use only)

How To Use Jojoba Oil on Your Body

Jojoba oil makes a luxurious moisturizer for the body. Apply it right after stepping out of the shower, then apply a cream or shea butter on top to seal in moisture. You may also add a few drops of jojoba oil to your regular lotion for an extra hydration kick.

How To Use Jojoba Oil on Your Hair

Jojoba oil is fantastic for your hair. Since it mimics natural sebum, jojoba coats your strands, locks in moisture, and leaves hair soft and healthy. It is a lightweight oil, so it works well for fine, thin hair and hydrates your strands without weighing it down.

• Add a few drops of jojoba oil to your dry hair to combat frizz.
  • Apply a few drops of jojoba oil to your scalp to add hydration and prevent dandruff.
    • Relieve symptoms of dandruff by applying a few drops of jojoba to your scalp and allow it to work its magic for a few minutes before shampooing.
      • Massage jojoba oil through the ends of your hair to help mend split ends.
        • Apply jojoba oil to your scalp as a leave-in treatment to encourage the strengthening of your hair and nourishing of the scalp.
          • Jojoba oil may help slow down the graying process by restoring lost copper in your strands. Copper deficiency leads to hair pigment loss and premature gray hair.

How To Use Jojoba Oil on Your Lips

Jojoba oil soothes and heals dry, chapped lips, and absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue behind. Whether infused in a lip balm or used alone, the vitamins and minerals in jojoba are perfect for your pout.

How To Use Jojoba Oil on Your Nails

The vitamins and minerals in jojoba oil are great for damaged nails and dry cuticles. Massage a few drops of the rich oil into your cuticles and fingernails to add hydration and lessen peeling brittle nails.

What Are the Side Effects of Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil is well-tolerated by most people, and side effects are rare. If you have sensitive skin and allergies, jojoba may cause rash or irritation. When in doubt, perform a “patch test” on your inner arm with a small drop of the oil. Massage the oil into your arm and wait about 15 minutes to see whether you have a reaction or not.

Is Jojoba Oil Safe for Pregnant Women?

Jojoba oil is hypoallergenic and not linked to pregnancy risks. Always contact your doctor with any questions or concerns you may have regarding jojoba oil and pregnancy or nursing.

Do You Have To Refrigerate Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil has a long shelf life in average room temperatures, just remember to keep it properly sealed and stored.

Does Jojoba Oil Expire?

Unlike other essential oils, jojoba oil does not oxidize. Thus it lasts forever if you store it properly. Its waxy, odorless consistency keeps it stable and unlikely to become rancid. Store jojoba oil in a glass bottle with a lid, at room temperature, and in a dry, dark place.

Jojoba Oil vs. Coconut Oil

Jojoba oil is more difficult to obtain, so it costs more than coconut oil. Its benefits outweigh coconut oil, too. Here’s how:

• Jojoba contains cleansing properties, while coconut oil does not.
• Jojoba absorbs, while coconut oil solidifies, causing clogged pores.
• Jojoba oil helps reduce redness, swelling, and irritation and is great for shaving. Coconut oil doesn't soften the hair or reduce irritation, making it a no-no for shaving.

To Sum It Up

Jojoba oil is a fantastic hydrating, nourishing, and healing oil used for many different ailments. It also works well on the face, hair, nails, and skin. Jojoba oil is a carrier oil that blends beautifully with other essential oils such as tea tree and peppermint oils.

Three Ships Beauty provides you with transparent beauty products. Our plant-based products are clinically proven to give your skin high-quality performance. We believe less is more. Our formulations contain no fillers and high concentrations of natural actives.

Check out our full line of transparent skincare here.

Sources:

A review on plant importance, biotechnological aspects, and cultivation challenges of jojoba plant | NCBI

Transdermal delivery of amino acids and antioxidants enhance collagen synthesis: in vivo and in vitro studies | PubMed

Clay Jojoba Oil Facial Mask for Lesioned Skin and Mild Acne – Results of a Prospective, Observational Pilot Study - Abstract - Forschende Komplementärmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine 2012, Vol. 19, No. 2 | Karger Publishers