How Jojoba Oil Benefits You
Helps Acne
Jojoba oil is great for acne because it closely resembles the sebum our skin naturally produces. This similarity tricks the skin into producing less oil, which can help reduce breakouts. Additionally, jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe acne-prone skin. It also enhances the absorption of other topical treatments, making it an excellent carrier oil for herbal remedies or essential oils. For a natural acne treatment, try a clay facial mask mixed with jojoba oil to help reduce pimples and improve breakouts.
Reduces Skin Infections
Native Americans have long used jojoba oil to treat skin infections, and modern research supports its antimicrobial and antifungal properties. This means jojoba oil can help prevent harmful bacteria and fungi from spreading on the skin. Its protective barrier helps keep infections at bay, making it useful for treating acne and other skin wounds.
Helps Wounds Heal
Jojoba oil can significantly speed up the healing process of wounds. It stimulates collagen production, a protein essential for skin health and tissue repair. Rich in vitamin E, jojoba oil also acts as an antioxidant, protecting skin cells from free radicals. Applying jojoba oil to minor cuts and irritations can promote faster healing and keep the wound clean due to its antimicrobial properties.
Has Anti-Aging Properties
Jojoba oil is known for its anti-aging benefits. Keeping your skin moisturized is crucial for any anti-aging routine, and jojoba oil excels at this. It contains vitamin E, a common ingredient in anti-aging products, and its similarity to sebum helps regulate oil production. Jojoba oil also offers a natural SPF of 4, providing some protection against the sun’s harmful rays, which is vital for preventing premature aging.
Supports Healthy Hair
While the jury is still out on whether jojoba oil directly promotes hair growth, it is an excellent carrier oil for other essential oils that do. For instance, mixing jojoba oil with lavender essential oil can help with hair loss or thinning. Jojoba oil adds moisture to hair, reducing breakage and split ends, and can nourish hair follicles when applied to the scalp. Its similarity to sebum ensures it won’t leave your hair greasy but will add a lovely shine.
Moisturizes Skin & Hair
Jojoba oil is a fantastic moisturizer for both skin and hair. It helps protect the skin’s natural barrier from irritants, allergens, and toxins. As a liquid wax, it can repair damaged skin by creating an artificial barrier. Jojoba oil is suitable for all skin types, including oily, dry, and combination skin. It has shown improvements in conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis by keeping the skin hydrated naturally and non-toxically.
What Is Jojoba?
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is a desert shrub native to the Sonoran Desert in California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Also known as coffeeberry or goat nut, this drought-resistant plant produces seeds that yield a valuable golden-colored oil. Historically, the Cahuilla and Papago Indians used jojoba oil for therapeutic purposes, such as healing wounds. Other tribes used it for culinary purposes, but today, it is primarily used in skincare.
The seeds, or jojoba nuts, are about the size of an olive and are over 50% fat, making them very oily. This oil is excellent for skin health.
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Native Americans originally used a mortar and pestle to grind jojoba seeds to extract their oils. Although we call it an “oil,” jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax ester, similar in structure to sebum, the waxy substance our skin produces. Rich in triglycerides and fatty acids, jojoba oil is a versatile moisturizer that doesn’t go rancid, meaning one bottle can last a long time. It can withstand high heat, making it useful for hair treatments involving heat styling. Cosmetic companies refine jojoba oil into a clear, odorless fluid for use in skincare products.
Jojoba Oil Benefits
Today, jojoba oil is mainly used in cosmetic products for skin and hair. One of its best features is that it doesn’t irritate the skin, making it non-comedogenic and unlikely to clog pores. Here are some of the most popular uses for this versatile oil:
Helps Acne
Jojoba oil is beneficial for acne due to its similarity to human sebum. It tricks the skin into producing less oil, resulting in less oily skin for those prone to breakouts. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help reduce skin inflammation, improving acne lesions. Jojoba oil can be used as a carrier oil for other topical medications or essential oils. Try a clay facial mask with jojoba oil to reduce pimples and improve acne breakouts.
Reduces Skin Infections
Jojoba oil has antimicrobial and antifungal properties, making it effective in preventing harmful bacteria and fungi from spreading on the skin. This makes it useful for treating acne and other wounds and sores. Jojoba oil provides a protective barrier on the skin, preventing infections from occurring.
Helps Wounds Heal
Jojoba oil can significantly speed up wound healing by stimulating collagen production, a protein essential for skin health. It is also rich in vitamin E, which acts as an antioxidant, protecting skin cells from free radicals. Applying jojoba oil to minor cuts and irritations can promote faster healing and keep the wound clean due to its antimicrobial properties.
Has Anti-Aging Properties
Jojoba oil is known for its anti-aging benefits. Keeping your skin moisturized is crucial for any anti-aging routine, and jojoba oil excels at this. It contains vitamin E, a common ingredient in anti-aging products, and its similarity to sebum helps regulate oil production. Jojoba oil also offers a natural SPF of 4, providing some protection against the sun’s harmful rays, which is vital for preventing premature aging.
Supports Healthy Hair
While the jury is still out on whether jojoba oil directly promotes hair growth, it is an excellent carrier oil for other essential oils that do. For instance, mixing jojoba oil with lavender essential oil can help with hair loss or thinning. Jojoba oil adds moisture to hair, reducing breakage and split ends, and can nourish hair follicles when applied to the scalp. Its similarity to sebum ensures it won’t leave your hair greasy but will add a lovely shine.
Moisturizes Skin & Hair
Jojoba oil is a fantastic moisturizer for both skin and hair. It helps protect the skin’s natural barrier from irritants, allergens, and toxins. As a liquid wax, it can repair damaged skin by creating an artificial barrier. Jojoba oil is suitable for all skin types, including oily, dry, and combination skin. It has shown improvements in conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis by keeping the skin hydrated naturally and non-toxically.
Jojoba Oil Uses & DIY Recipes
When shopping for jojoba oil, choose organic, food-grade, cold-pressed oil without additives. Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so if a substance isn’t clean enough to eat, you shouldn’t apply it to your skin. Instead of buying products, try making them yourself. Here are some simple DIY jojoba oil recipes for your beauty and skincare regimen. These recipes can be a fun activity with kids and make great personalized gifts for friends and family. Feel free to get creative and substitute oils to suit your preferences.
Soothing Jojoba Moisturizer
For a simple moisturizer, dab jojoba oil onto your fingers and rub it into your skin. This method works well for dry nail beds, cuticles, razor burn, or any other area. If you have oily or sensitive skin, add a bit of jojoba oil to your usual moisturizer when your face feels dry.
How to Use: Massage three drops into your face in the morning. For dry nail beds, dab three drops onto your cuticles and massage in.
Acne-Free Clear Skin Recipe
If you’re fighting breakouts, jojoba oil can help! This simple recipe takes advantage of its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties.
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons jojoba oil
2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
Directions:
Combine jojoba oil and aloe vera gel in a container. Mix thoroughly. Take a dime-sized amount, rub it together in your hands, and apply over your face while in the shower. Let the mixture stay on for 30 seconds, then rinse off gently. Repeat twice per week for maximum benefit.
Nourishing Jojoba Lip Balm
This simple DIY lip treatment uses natural ingredients to moisturize chapped lips. Adding peppermint oil makes it taste and smell great and repels certain harmful organisms.
Ingredients:
? teaspoon jojoba oil
? teaspoon shea butter
? teaspoon olive oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
Directions:
