The organic oil of jojoba comes from a perennial American shrub that is scientifically named as Simmondsia chinensis, which is native to the US, specifically found in the arid regions of the Southwestern states. It has been widely used in folk medicine by the native Americans since a long time, primarily for treating skin conditions such as sores and bruises.

Jojoba oil is clear golden in colour and has a slightly nutty smell, while its refined oil is odorless. The oil is unique because it closely resembles sebum, the oil produced by our skin glands. Thus, it acts as a natural skin conditioner which can help to regulate our skin’s sebum levels. As such, this works well for those with oily skin. It is a carrier oil which is gentle and mild enough to be used on sensitive skin.

Read on to find out more about the wonderful benefits of this miracle oil!

Health Benefits of Jojoba Organic Oil:

1. Moisturizes the Skin

As alluded to earlier, jojoba oil mimics the oil produced on our skin. This is especially useful for those who have dry skin, otherwise characterized by our sebaceous glands not producing enough oil and moisture. If left untreated, your skin might potentially become dehydrated, thus leading to dermatitis.

However, jojoba oil provides the moisture which is essential for your skin. It is an emollient, providing a protective surface and barrier on your skin, thus shielding it from the drying and damaging effects of the environment.

Add a few drops of the oil onto your clean palms, rub it together and apply on your face and other dry areas whenever you need to go out or after washing your face.

2. Regulates Sebum Levels

Not only does it provide moisture to your skin, it also helps to control oil and sebum levels, which makes it a good oil for oily skin and acne-prone skin. It might seem counterproductive to add more oil onto your face if you have oily skin and a shiny forehead, but jojoba oil works by forming a layer of oil on your skin which closely resembles that of sebum, thus regulating actual sebum secretion levels.

Furthermore, the oil is non-comedogenic, which is wonderful because this means it does not clog up the pores on your skin, and it absorbs directly into your skin. This, coupled with regulation of sebum levels, thus makes for an effective acne control agent since it penetrates deep into the internal layers of the skin, which can help to dissolve any sebum deposits in the follicles and prevent the growth of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads.

3. Helps to Heal Wounds and Fungal Infections

Besides being an effective agent to regulate sebum levels and provide moisture to your skin, jojoba oil also contains antibacterial properties, due to its rich iodine content, which helps to fight harmful bacteria growth. As such, it helps to accelerate the healing process if you have incurred wounds, cuts, scrapes or any fungal infections. This attribute of jojoba oil also helps prevent breakouts and pimples from occurring in the first place.

A 2011 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that jojoba oil accelerates wound closures and stimulates collagen synthesis. As such, this suggests that jojoba oil could be used in the treatment of wounds, since toxic effects of the jojoba extract remains extremely low.

Another 2012 study conducted by researchers from Germany found that after 6 weeks of treatment with clay facial masks containing jojoba oil on 194 participants, it was reported that there was a 54% mean reduction in total lesion count on the skin, thus demonstrating how jojoba oil is an effective treatment to promote smoother skin complexions.

Besides that, the oil also exhibits antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, thus making it an effective natural aid remedy for toenail fungus, athlete’s foot and unsightly warts.

4. Promotes Hair Health

Besides offering lovely benefits for your skin, jojoba oil also works wonders for your hair! It helps to prevent excessive drying of the hair. It replenishes and retains moisture in your hair follicles, thus making your hair much smoother as the texture becomes drastically improved. As such, you can smooth out tangles and eliminate frizzy hair naturally by using this oil.

Not only that, it also helps to get rid of itchy and dry scalp conditions which could lead to dandruff. The University of Maryland Medical Centre also cites how massaging the scalp with several essential oils like lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, thyme essential oils which are mixed with jojoba oil have been efficacious in treating alopecia, which is characterized by the loss of hair due to fungal infections or damage to the hair follicles.

Simply add 3-6 drops of the essential oil to one tablespoon of jojoba oil for a hair loss remedy or you can even apply jojoba oil directly to your hair and scalp since it is mild enough. Alternatively, you can add a few drops of it into your daily haircare products as well.

5. Contains Vitamin E and B

Jojoba oil also contains a potent and useful antioxidant known as vitamin E. When applied to your skin, it improves moisture and elasticity, which helps to tighten up skin and prevents loose or sagging skin. This thus offers anti-ageing benefits, helping you to maintain your skin’s youthful appearance.

Not only that, it also protects your skin from environmental damages and ultraviolet rays, thus preventing skin cancer and treating sunburn. Due to the vitamin E content in the oil, the oil facilitates skin repair and cell regeneration, therefore proving to be useful in treating scars and wrinkles.

This is backed up by a 1995 study published in the Journal of Molecular Medicine which states how vitamin E helps to protect the skin from adverse effects of oxidative stress, which includes photoaging and inflammation. This thus contributes to a much smoother and healthier skin complexion!

Moreover, the oil also contains vitamin B, specifically vitamin B5 which is also called pantothenic acid. It is also an antioxidant that similarly helps fight off oxidative stress and free radical damage to prevent cell damages. It helps to protect your skin from any environmental damages, and prevents the onset or formation of wrinkles and dark spots, thus delaying ageing too. It also helps to balance out hormonal levels naturally.

Besides the abovementioned benefits and uses, you can also use jojoba oil as a safe and natural makeup remover and as a soothing agent to prevent razor burns instead of shaving creams. Simply apply the oil before and after you shave to moisturize your skin. Additionally, it can be used to moisturize dry cuticles and it is perfect for cracked feet and dry hands.

How to Use Jojoba Organic Oil?

Jojoba oil is a mild carrier oil which means it can be added to your essential oils for dilution, so as to apply topically onto your skin and hair. You can also apply it straight away onto your skin and hair since it will not cause sensitive or allergic reactions in most people due to its mild and gentle nature.

Jojoba oil that is mixed with coconut oil is pretty powerful as the combination of moisturizing and antioxidant properties in both oils can leave your skin feeling fresh and having that youthful radiance glow!

Jojoba organic oil is mainly used on direct application of the skin, since it mainly brings in skin and hair benefits. Thus, it is not recommended to consume the oil internally. Pregnant and nursing women should consult their doctor first before using jojoba organic oil.

References:

Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Burlando B, “Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study”, Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2011); 134(2)

Meier L, et al., “Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne -- results of a prospective, observational pilot study”, PubMed (2012); 19(2)

“Alopecia”, University of Maryland Medical Center, n.d.

Nachbar F, Korting HC, “The role of vitamin E in normal and damaged skin”, Journal of Molecular Medicine (1995); 73(1)