A closer look at: Jojoba oil
Botanical Name: Simmondsia Chinensis
Along with Coconut, Jojoba is another oil I use a lot in my skin care formulations. It has a lovely light texture that is easily absorbed by the skin and comes with a long list of benefits for every type of skin, including highly sensitive types.
Jojoba is an excellent face and body moisturizer that also conditions and smooths hair and beards. It is a popular massage medium because it is compatible with all skin types and has non-allergenic properties. Jojoba is safe for all ages.
It is also an ideal carrier for essential oils, an excellent base for personal care products, and for creating stable herbal infusions.
Jojoba shrub, Pinto Bassin
A little about the plant
Jojoba (pronounced ho-HO-ba) is a desert plant from which the extract is pressed from its seeds. The jojoba plant is native to the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona/California and northwestern Mexico but is cultivated worldwide in desert-like climates. It thrives in coarse, well-drained desert soil in full sun to light shade, with limited water. It grows in a low mound shape and typically reaches a height of about 1-1.5 meters. It has inconspicuous flowers and small, ovate leaves.
Ethnobotany:
The importance and versatility of Jojoba was discovered by Native Americans. In the early eighteenth century, Jesuit missionaries in Baja observed them heating jojoba seeds to soften them. They then used a pestle and mortar to create a salve or buttery substance, which was applied to the skin and hair for healing and conditioning. Native Americans also used the salve to soften and preserve animal hides. Additionally, pregnant women ate jojoba seeds, believing they assisted during childbirth, while hunters and raiders consumed Jojoba on the trail to keep hunger at bay.
A liquid wax
Jojoba extract, while commonly referred to as "jojoba oil," is, in fact, a liquid wax. The liquid wax esters in Jojoba are the closest thing in the plant world to the sebum our skin produces, making Jojoba extremely compatible with our skin.
Jojoba is nontoxic, nonallergenic (the extract is pressed from a seed, not a nut, and is safe for persons with nut allergies), and non-comedogenic since, with its sebum compatibility, it won't clog pores. It does not readily oxidize. Being a liquid wax without any triglyceride fats or oils, Jojoba is exceptionally stable, has a long shelf life, and can withstand our hot tropical climate conditions without losing its properties or quality.
Nutrient profile:
A high percentage of wax esters of monounsaturated, straight-chain fatty acids and alcohols with high molecular weights provide Jojoba with its skin-softening qualities.
Tocopherols - Alpha, delta, and gamma tocopherols are found in Jojoba are all forms of Vitamin E, which eliminate free radicals which, when in excess, can damage healthy tissue, destroy the collagen and elastin fibres that support the skin, and interfere with the formation of fresh, healthy skin cells, resulting in premature ageing of the skin. Vitamin E also helps to protect the skin against environmental pollutants. It assists wound healing and has excellent repairing and regenerating properties.
Benefits of using Jojoba oil in aromatherapy
Jojoba fixes, or makes permanent, the scent of essential oils in formulations. This characteristic makes Jojoba an ideal carrier or base for essential oils products, whether used for skin, scalp, hair, massage, or any of the other applications. Also unlike other carriers, Jojoba does not remain on top of the skin but penetrates it, carrying the essential oils into it.
Jojoba has natural anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it helpful for eczema, psoriasis, and inflamed skin conditions. Research also supports jojoba oil's use in wound healing. It is highly recommended for regenerative skin care and preventative ageing care.
It is an excellent oil for belly balms or body oils for stretch marks.
Benefits of using Jojoba in skincare:
As already mentioned, Jojoba closely matches the natural sebum produced by the skin, which is why it actually nourishes and feeds the skin. Jojoba replenishes our skin's natural barrier function. Jojoba provides hydration and cleansing without clogging pores or drying the skin.
For dry skin, Jojoba will be an AMAZING addition to your routine and help to replenish moisture levels.
For oily skin, Jojoba is considered an optimal product for acne and oily skin as it will help balance oil production and help cleanse the pores
For sensitive skin, Jojoba is probably going to be your NEW BEST FRIEND against break-outs, itchiness, eczema and psoriasis.
For mature skin, research has shown the presence of compounds called tocopherols in Jojoba. The alpha, delta, and gamma tocopherols found in Jojoba are all forms of Vitamin E, which eliminate free radicals and help prevent skin ageing.
For damaged skin, due to its Vitamin E content, Jojoba can be used topically to reduce scar formation and treat burns, including radiation burns. In conjunction with an oil rich in beta-carotene, such as Sea Buckthorn, Jojoba decreases the harmful effects of the sun and photoaging.
For babies, Jojoba is perfect for the most sensitive skin and helps to soothe cradle cap, nappy rash, etc. It's a wonderful choice for offering a gentle, calming massage to your little one without any synthetic fragrances or unwanted chemicals.
For hair and beard care, Jojoba is effective in beard conditioning formulations and hair serums, particularly for thicker, dry, colour-treated, curly, and/or afro-textured hair.
For makeup removal and cleansing, Jojoba is an excellent ingredient for cleansing lotions and oil blends because its chemical composition is similar to the skin's sebum. It easily dissolves and cleanses deep-seated dirt and dead skin cells.
In conclusion
Jojoba oil is a versatile and beneficial ingredient in skincare and aromatherapy. Its compatibility with all skin types, non-allergenic properties, and natural anti-inflammatory characteristics make it invaluable for my various skincare formulations. Whether used for moisturizing, balancing, conditioning or as a carrier for essential oil blends and elixirs, Jojoba oil offers numerous skin and hair care benefits. Its nutrient profile further emphasizes its value in promoting healthy skin and overall well-being.