Jojoba Oil: What it is and How to Use it
From a trusty face moisturizer to a clever makeup remover, jojoba oil is versatile and blends beautifully with other natural ingredients. Whether you're looking to pamper your lips, soothe your scalp, or create a homemade headache relief roller, jojoba oil is your go-to.
In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into jojoba oil skin benefits and the myriad of ways you can incorporate jojoba oil into your beauty routine, unlocking its potential to transform your skin and hair.
What is Jojoba oil?
Jojoba oil is expressed from the seed of the jojoba plant, it is a shrub found in southern California, Arizona, and northwest Mexico. The oil has a long shelf-life which makes it ideal for use in body care products.
Fun fact: Jojoba it's not really an oil but a liquid wax!
This unique characteristic is what makes jojoba oil so special—it mirrors the sebum our skin naturally produces, making it suitable for most skin types.
It's also considered non-comedogenic which means it does not clog pores. It's also well-suited to sensitive skin.
An excellent moisturizer, jojoba oil penetrates the skin easily and does not leave an oily residue. It moisturizes and hydrates extremely well.
Jojoba is a clear liquid that has a golden color. It has a nutty scent when unrefined. Many consider Jojoba to be a naturally occurring fungicide. It has a high level of iodine and vitamin E, so can be good for treating skin conditions.
Jojoba Oil Skin Benefits
If you've ever asked “Can I use jojoba oil on my face?” The answer is yes! Jojoba oil is suitable for a wide range of skin types, making it a versatile option in skincare.
It is particularly beneficial for:
Dry Skin: Jojoba oil's emollient properties help to deeply moisturize and nourish dry skin, restoring a healthy, hydrated appearance.
Oily Skin: Surprisingly, jojoba oil can help regulate sebum production, making it beneficial for oily and acne-prone skin. It can help balance oil levels without clogging pores.
Sensitive Skin: Its gentle and non-irritating nature makes jojoba oil a great choice for sensitive skin, providing soothing and calming effects.
Aging Skin: Jojoba oil's antioxidant properties can help combat the signs of aging by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while also promoting a youthful, radiant complexion.
In essence, jojoba oil's compatibility with various skin types makes it a versatile and valuable addition to skincare routines.
Shelf Life
Jojoba oil has a long shelf-life. Once opened, it typically remains fresh and usable for up to 2-3 years if stored in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight and heat. It's important to keep the bottle tightly sealed to prevent oxidation and degradation of the oil.
The long shelf life of jojoba oil makes it ideal for use in body care products. It's light texture and scent means it mixes well with many other oils and natural body care ingredients too.
Does jojoba oil ever go bad?
Yes, jojoba oil can go bad over time. When exposed to air, light, and heat, it may oxidize and become rancid. To extend its shelf life, it's important to store jojoba oil in a cool, dark place and keep the container tightly sealed when not in use.
Some claim that jojoba oil never goes bad because it has a very long shelf life compared to other oils. Jojoba oil is more resistant to oxidation due to its chemical composition, which includes natural antioxidants. When stored properly, it can remain stable for an extended period, leading to the misconception that it never goes bad. However, like all natural products, jojoba oil can eventually degrade over time, especially if not stored correctly.
Uses for Jojoba Oil
Now you know that jojoba oil is a versatile ingredient in homemade skincare (celebrated for its nourishing and hydrating properties) and it's suitable for most skin types, here are some ways to incorporate jojoba oil into your beauty routine:
Face moisturizer
Use a few drops alone or mix with other skin nourishing oils – this makes an extremely frugal facial moisturizer.
Facial Cleanser – can be used alone to wash the face or mixed with other oils (as in the Oil Cleansing method)
Lip conditioner
Apply a few drops directly to lips to soften and soothe or mix with other oils, beeswax, and butters to create more of a chapstick type of lip balm (here is an easy lip balm recipe that includes jojoba oil).
Face mask
Mix 1 teaspoon jojoba with 2 teaspoons of kaolin clay or bentonite clay (see the different types of clay here) to make a paste. Spread over the skin and leave for 10-20 minutes. Remove with warm water and a washcloth.
Acne Treatment
Many have used jojoba to treat mild to moderate acne. This can be done by mixing with aloe vera and using as a face wash, adding to a mask, or using as a moisturizer.
Scalp Treatment
Mix 2 teaspoons jojoba with 3 drops rosemary essential oil, massage into scalp. Leave for 30 minutes before washing out with shampoo.
Hair Conditioner
Enhance your regular condition by adding a few drops of jojoba and mixing well. Condition as usual. Another option is to create a type of leave-in conditioner by rubbing a few drops of jojoba between the palms of your hands and gently distributing through damp hair after showering.
Hair Detangler
Add 2 teaspoons of jojoba to 4 ounces distilled water and 10 drops lavender essential oils or 5 drops rosemary essential oil. Pour into a spray bottle and spray on hair before combing.
Cuticle Oil
Rub a few drops on cuticles to soften skin and condition nails
Foot Cream
Use alone to soften and hydrate feet or mix with other oils and butters and create this nourishing foot cream
Makeup Remover
Use straight jojoba on a cloth to gently wipe away makeup
Shaving Gel
Mix equal parts jojoba and aloe vera gel, use as a shave gel (can also use jojoba alone). Also works well as an aftershave lotion.
Make Headache Relief Roller Bottle
Jojoba's light scent makes it an excellent choice for use in essential oil blends. This headache-ease roller bottle is one example of how to use it for this purpose.
Where to Buy Jojoba oil
I usually purchase Jojoba oil from Mountain Rose Herbs. Check out Mountain Rose Herbs Jojoba Oil here.
Aloe vera gel and rosemary essential oil are also available from Mountain Rose Herbs – both of these items are used in DIYs mentioned in this article (Rosemary to make hair and scalp treatment and aloe vera gel to make shaving gel).
Jojoba oil is also available on Amazon. When buying from Amazon I like to purchase the organic jojoba oil from Now brand.
Updated on May 17, 2024
