What is Jojoba Oil Used For? Find Answers Here

Jojoba Oil

What is Jojoba Oil?

Jojoba oil is actually a wax ester (liquid wax) and not an oil. It is an extract of the seed of the jojoba tree which grows primarily in the desert regions of northwestern Mexico and southwestern United States. The jojoba tree (Simmondsia chinensis) is slow-growing but long-lived (about 100-200 years). It takes three to five years for the female tree to produce seeds and six to seven years to yield oil.

What is Jojoba Oil Used For?

The benefits of jojoba were well known to early Native Americans. They would roast the seeds to make a coffee-like beverage, chew on the seeds to suppress their appetite when food was scarce, and use the oil to soothe skin irritations and heal sores, cuts, wounds, burns, and bruises. Today, jojoba oil is commonly used in cosmetics, soaps, and shampoos. It became popular in the 1970s after the United States banned the import of sperm whale oil.

Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic (meaning it does not clog the pores of the skin) and is similar to sebum (human skin oil). It is believed to balance oil production by tricking the skin into thinking it produced enough oil. It is also non-toxic, hypoallergenic, a natural antioxidant, and a natural carrier of vitamin E.

Uses

Jojoba oil can be used to decrease flakiness and improve the feel of your skin by adding a few drops to the amount of facial moisturizer you will be applying. It can hydrate your scalp, help prevent dandruff, and promote a beautiful shine by adding a few drops in the amount of hair conditioner you use. Jojoba oil is an effective remedy in removing makeup, including lipstick, foundation, blush, and eye makeup. It can be applied directly to dry lips or applied to the skin beneath your shaving cream to help prevent razor burn and leave your skin feeling soft. It also makes a wonderful oil for massage.

Benefits

Unlike water based moisturizers, jojoba oil does not evaporate. This helps provide all day moisturization. It spreads well and is easily absorbed into the skin. It can be stored for long periods of time without becoming rancid or losing its valuable antioxidants.

Disadvantages

Now that you know “what is jojoba oil used for?”, are there any disadvantages? Only one that I am aware of: it can be quite expensive, especially if you purchase an organic brand.

Sources Used

Jojoba-Oil.org - https://www.jojoba-oil.org/

Vitaminstuff: Jojoba Supplements - https://www.vitaminstuff.com/supplements-jojoba.html

Acne.org: What is jojoba oil anyway? - https://www.acne.org/jojoba-oil.php

Photo Credit

Image courtesy of https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JojobaOil.png

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