Most known for its role in natural cosmetics and other beauty supplies, jojoba oil is a liquid wax produced by and extracted from the seed of the Simmondsia chinensis shrub. Native to the arid Southwestern United States, jojoba was first used by Native American tribes.
Utilizing the nut of the shrub, they made paste to be used for skin and hair care long before it became a fashionable beauty trend.
Unlike other vegetable oils, jojoba oil can act as a natural skin condition for us, as it closely resembles sebum, the waxy substance produced by our skin glands. Because of this and other reasons, it has effectively replaced most animal fats in the manufacture of skin creams and lotions.
While it does have a slight nutty smell in its raw form, refined jojoba oil is completely odorless. This negates the need for including unnatural perfumed additives. Plus, jojoba has the handy utility of being a great carrier for other essential oils that need to be diluted before use.
Jojoba wax has a very low melting point and, as such, remains in its liquid state most of the time. This prevents the overly greasy feel that other oils have.
With so many beneficial properties, it’s no wonder that jojoba oil is admired for its versatility. Rich in important vitamins and minerals such as E, B-complex, zinc, copper, and many more, it is also usable on all skin types.
A multi-functional healing ointment, jojoba oil has a solution for everything. Read on to learn about just a few of its amazing benefits for the skin and hair.
1. Aid in Hair Growth
We’re all born with the hair we have, but that doesn’t mean we need to be stuck with it forever. Jojoba oil provides that extra boost to stubborn, slow-growing hair by secreting sebum and keeping the locks moisturized.
Clogged follicles are freed by the oil, promoting new hair cell development and growth. Give yourself a hot oil treatment by massaging the jojoba into the scalp before shampooing, and wait while those newly stimulated follicles start to work their magic.
2. Improve Hair Shine
Jojoba will improve shine, even on hair that is already healthy. Working as a damage-control serum, the natural oil smoothes the cuticles, seals in the moisture, and adds pizzazz to dull-looking locks.
Take care not to use too much, so as to not produce an overly-oily appearance- a few drops here and there will do.
3. Control Dandruff
The fact that dandruff is a fairly common experience does little to reduce the irritation and embarrassment that those flaky cells can cause you. Using mineral-rich jojoba oil to treat dryness of the scalp is an easy and effective way to control and rid yourself of pesky dandruff.
The anti-fungal properties of jojoba oil come to the rescue again when treating infection-caused dandruff, as well. Rub a few drops into the scalp to start getting your best results now.
4. Maintain Hair Color
Maintaining that dye job can be quite a challenge. Environmental factors like the sun and chemical-filled water play the largest role in the demise of your fresh color. Luckily, jojoba oil has your back here, as well.
Applying it before a swim or sun session keeps the cuticles protected and prevents chemicals from stripping the nutrients (and color) from your locks.
5. Treat Oily/Dry Scalp
Having an oil-prone scalp can really do a number on your hairstyle. While many products out there end up drying out the hair into order to combat the oil, jojoba works to control sebum excretion in the scalp and regulates its flow deep down in the pores.
Likewise, it keeps a dry scalp moisturized and nixes any flaky dry skin on the scalp. No matter what condition your scalp suffers from, jojoba can balance the pH level, leaving you with gorgeous, healthy locks.
6. Tame Frizzy/Dry Hair
Are you a frequent blow dryer, straightener, and/or curling iron user? If so, a gentle oil is just what those dry locks need to return to their luscious glory.
Working as both a moisturizer and a conditioner, jojoba oil helps to make difficult hair more manageable and tangle-free. Use it before, during, or after a shampoo, allowing the oil to form a protective waxy coating on each strand.
7. Heal Stubborn Acne
Acne isn’t just a problem for adolescents, although it often makes an appearance at this stage of life due to significant hormonal changes. When the hair follicles are blocked by the buildup of sebum and other debris, whiteheads and blackheads are formed.
This can lead to bacterial infections as well as inflammatory reactions. As a liquid, jojoba oil can access the depths of the hair follicle and act as a deep cleanser, dissolving the deposits of debris and clearing out the blocked pores. The oil also has strong antibacterial properties that act on bacterial growth in the follicle.
After deep cleaning, jojoba acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, soothing irritated skin. With its three-pronged attack mechanism, jojoba can be considered a better, safer alternative to the widely-used tea tree oil, which is known to have toxic effects at higher concentrations.
8. Treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis
Although different, both conditions cause a person to suffer dry, itchy patches that can easily be infected by bacteria and fungi, and multifunctional jojoba oil is here to offer considerable relief. As a moisturizer, it relieves the itchiness and dryness associated with both conditions, soothing the affected area as it goes.
The anti-inflammatory property of the oil especially works as an advantage for those with eczema, building a strong protective layer over the skin that acts as a barrier against irritants. The antibacterial and anti-fungal properties of jojoba oil also reduce the risk of infections by preventing germs from entering cracks in the inflamed skin.
9. Control Oily Skin
It may sound counterintuitive to prescribe an oil for the treatment of oily skin. However, pure jojoba oil is incredibly effective in doing so. The face and the scalp are the two prime areas affected by overactive sebaceous glands in the skin, and the resulting oily feeling and appearance permit dust and dirt to gather quickly.
This leaves us feeling greasy, grimy, and not at our 100% best. Rubbing jojoba oil on these areas regulates sebum production and helps to reduce oiliness.
10. Soothe Chapped Lips
Chapped lips are both painful and an eye sore. Jojoba oil can replace your regular petroleum jelly-based lip balm and give you the luscious lips everyone dreams of.
By locking in the moisture with a layer of waxy oil, lips are kept soft and supple, even in cold and windy conditions. Mix it with an equal quantity of pure beeswax for an easy-to-tote lip balm.
11. Soften Cracked Feet and Dry Hands
We use the hands and feet more than any other body part, so naturally they experience the most wear and tear. As the palms and soles of the feet lack the sebaceous glands, they are more prone to cracking and dryness, especially in extreme conditions (like during winter).
To get the most effective treatment, soak the hands and feet in warm water for a few minutes before towel drying and gently massaging the jojoba oil in. Do this weekly and you’ll be back to your supple self in no time
12. Reduce the Appearance of Stretch Marks
Jojoba is a savior for mothers, both pre-and postpartum, due to its ability to prevent and reduce the seemingly inevitable stretch marks. As an added bonus, the soothing properties of the oil also help to calm the nerves, leaving a relaxed mama in its wake.
Rub a small quantity over the belly twice a day during pregnancy and after birth to deal with those well-earned tiger stripes.
13. Reduce Wrinkles
Rich in vitamin E – the vitamin responsible for eliminating free radicals – jojoba oil helps to keep skin moist and healthy. Its firming effect reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, making the skin look more youthful and vibrant.
Additionally, the antioxidants and linoleic acid present in jojoba oil catalyze the regeneration of skin cells, keeping your skin looking younger, fresher, and vitalized.
14. Keep Nails and Cuticles Healthy
Dry, brittle cuticles and weak keratin levels make it nearly impossible to flaunt manicure-grade nails. Taking advantage of the vitamin E in jojoba oil will keep cuticles moisturized, reduce breakage, and encourage all-around healthy nail growth.
Rubbing a couple of drops of the oil into the cuticles after a shower or long, a relaxing bath will work wonders for your fingers and keep those nails looking preened to perfection.
Jojoba Oil Has So Many Amazing Benefits For Your Hair & Skin
As you can see, the Native Americans were really on to something when they discovered the amazing uses of the jojoba plant. Now that you’ve got the inside scoop on its utility and benefits, you can use it to address almost all of your beauty needs, both on its own and in combination with other essential oils.
Whether you’re affected by one or all of these frustrating beauty blues, jojoba oil is the remedy that you can count on to rescue you. Stash a bottle in your medicine cabinet for emergencies or ingrain it into your daily beauty regimen for luscious hair, supple skin, and an overall vibrant you.