J is for Jojoba (“ho-ho-ba”)
Why do I use this ingredient so much? Other than simply being fun to say, jojoba mimics our own skin’s natural oils; this means it’s both supportive and restorative when it comes to skincare.
What is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is actually a wax ester that is produced from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis plant, found in areas such as Arizona, Mexico, and California. Common names for the plant are goat nut, deer nut, pig nut, wild hazel, quinine nut, coffeeberry, and gray box bush. The O’odham Hohowi people (indigenous Uto-Aztecs) are the ones credited with the name “jojoba”. They, and other southwestern indigenous people, have long treated burns and other wounds using the paste or oil from the jojoba seed. What they didn’t know then – but science knows now – is that jojoba oil greatly increases the creation of collagen while also speeding up the closure of wounds.
I adore the healing power of plants, (like beeswax and frankincense), and the power they hold to help our skin recover, rejuvenate, and heal itself. Jojoba has a special place in skincare because of the aforementioned similarity to our skin’s own oil while also being a powerful healer.
Oil Cleansing with Jojoba Oil
I believe that cleansing is the first step to healing and caring for our skin, and I’ve included jojoba oil in all of my cleansers for this reason. When you use detergents or alcohol-based cleansers, they clean away all of the oils on the skin. This includes the natural oils (sebum) that our body creates to protect itself, effectively opening up our skin to irritation and dryness.
When you use an oil-based cleanser (like my top seller Lavender & Lime Balancing cleanser, the oil base binds with the “dirty” oils on our face so they can be wiped away with a warm cloth. Jojoba is perfectly suited for the job because it is so similar to our own sebum. For oily skin, the extra oil teaches our skin that it’s oily enough, so it produces less over time. Dry skin also benefits, because jojoba is so easily absorbed; any excess is wiped away. Oil cleansing with jojoba oil has proven itself to me (and my customers) that they can often balance oil production with this one skincare step.
Jojoba Oil for Acne
Once you have your cleansing routine in place, many of your skin’s problems will disappear. Unfortunately, acne can still persist for many reasons such as hormones, stress, reactivity from improper care, diet, etc. If this is the case for you, I still recommend oil cleansing to help rebalance your oil production, but for other reasons as well! Jojoba oil is also:
-
High in iodine, which fights bacterial growth
-
Has anti-inflammatory effects
-
Has been shown to reduce both inflammatory and non-inflammatory sores associated with acne by up to 54%
-
Incredibly healing and rich in antioxidants like vitamin E
Lean more about healing cystic acne and my approach to teenage acne
Try the Balancing Skincare Set, with products created for sensitive, inflamed, and blemished skin.
Jojoba Oil for Suncare
Like you can find jojoba oil in all of my cleansers, you can find it in all of my sun creams as well. Thanks to the emollient and fast-absorbing nature of jojoba oil, it’s ideal as a carrier for the protective mineral sunscreens in my formulas. And since it’s technically a wax, jojoba also has a longer shelf-life than most other oils.
Of course, jojoba oil has more than just a physical role in my sun creams. It’s rich in the antioxidant vitamin E and stimulates collagen production, both of which help the skin defend itself from sun damage. It also forms a protective layer on the skin to prevent moisture loss and the signs of dehydration.
Dehydrated skin will show fine lines, can feel tight or rough, and look dull. Maintaining proper hydration by drinking water will help (especially on hot days!), but using proper sun care will go a long way, too. Jojoba oil will help protect your skin while keeping moisture in, and give it a regenerative boost from the healing power of natural ingredients.
Jojoba Oil is for Everyone
I’m so happy that we are no longer being taught to run from oil-based skincare. The oils in my skincare provide a full-spectrum of essential fatty acids and skin loving nutrients without being heavy on the skin. Nourishing and easily absorbed, jojoba oil really does it all: it cleanses, hydrates, protects, and heals.
Add jojoba oil to your skincare routine with any of my cleansers or sun creams. Also try the Rosehip & Calendula Calming Facial Oil to help soothe and strengthen very sensitive skin, or the Neroli & Lemon Balancing Moisturizer which helps calm redness and heal scars. The moisturizer is also found in the Balancing Skincare Set, a perfect way to try six balancing products over the course of two to three weeks.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
Resources:
https://www.researchgate.net/
https://cals.arizona.edu/
https://www.thirteenthieves.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.
https://www.karger.com/
