- History of Jojoba Oil
- Benefits of Jojoba Oil
- Cultivating Quality Jojoba Oil
- Extracting Jojoba Oil
- Uses of Jojoba Oil
- Jojoba Oil Varieties
- Contraindications for Jojoba Oil
IN ESSENCE…
- The liquid commonly known as Jojoba Oil is not really an oil but rather a liquid wax ester.
- In the 18th century, Native Americans ground Jojoba seeds into a salve to medicate the skin and condition the hair.
- Jojoba Oil is well-known for having a chemical composition that closely resembles the sebum found in human skin.
- Jojoba Oil is most commonly used to moisturize, cleanse, and control oil production in skin and hair.
- Jojoba Oil improves the look and feel of skin and hair, soothes irritation, and reduces the appearance of blemishes.
HISTORY OF JOJOBA OIL
Derived from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis botanical, the liquid commonly known as Jojoba Oil is not really an oil but rather a liquid wax ester. The name Jojoba originates from the word Hohowi, a name given to the seeds – or the “beans/nuts” – by the O’odham, a Native American tribe that discovered the versatility of Jojoba seeds. The tribe created and used an anti-oxidant paste made from the nuts for skin and hair care purposes. For medicinal purposes, they used the nut paste or the oil to treat sores, wounds, and burns. Jojoba seeds were sometimes ground to make hot beverages, and in emergency situations or during hunts and raids, the Jojoba nut was eaten for survival. Pregnant women believed that consuming the seeds would ease childbirth. The nut is comprised of 50% wax, which is generally not easily digested, thus it would pass through the intestinal tract of humans unaffected, functioning as a laxative.
In the 18th century, the indigenous peoples softened the Jojoba seeds by heating them and then, using a mortar and pestle, they ground the seeds into a buttery salve that was meant to be applied as a cosmetic ingredient to the skin and hair as an ointment and a conditioning agent. This salve also functioned as a softener and preservative for animal hides.
Before the widespread use of Jojoba Oil, sperm whale oil products were more pronounced in cosmetic applications; however, when whale hunting became illegal in the 1970s, sperm whale products and the other animal waxes that were used were being banned from being imported. They were replaced with Jojoba Oil products, as it was discovered that Jojoba Oil was similar to its predecessor in terms of providing moisture for all skin types, and in many other ways Jojoba Oil was superior.
Today, Jojoba Oil is largely known and used for its hypoallergenic cosmetic benefits. Comprised of nearly all the vitamins and minerals required to facilitate the growth of healthy skin and hair, it continues to prove its effectiveness on the most sensitive of skin. Jojoba Oil has demonstrated countless advantages such as its ability to hydrate while cleansing and controlling oil production, its ability to improve the look and feel of skin and hair, and its ability to reduce the look and feel of irritation and unwanted marks.
BENEFITS OF USING JOJOBA OIL
The main chemical constituents of Jojoba Carrier Oil are: Gadoleic Acid (Eicosenoic Acid), Erucic Acid, Oleic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Palmitoleic Acid, Stearic Acid, Behenic Acid, Vitamin E, and Vitamin B Complex.
GADOLEIC ACID (EICOSENOIC ACID) is known to:
- have emollient properties
- be non-comedogenic (does not block the skin’s pores)
- be readily absorbed by the skin
- balance the oil in the skin, making it less oily
ERUCIC ACID is known to:
- be a natural lubricant for skin and hair
- have non-greasy emollient properties
- provide oxidative stability
- have a silky texture
- be an effective natural alternative to silicone in skin care products
OLEIC ACID is known to:
- maintain the softness, suppleness, and radiance of skin and hair
- stimulate the growth of thicker, longer and stronger hair
- reduce the appearance of aging, such as premature wrinkles and fine lines
- eliminate dandruff and thereby support hair growth
- boost immunity
- exhibit anti-oxidant properties
- prevent joint inflammation, stiffness, and pain
PALMITIC ACID is known to:
- have emollient properties
- soften hair without leaving a greasy or sticky residue
- be the most common saturated fatty acid
- have antioxidant properties
PALMITOLEIC ACID is known to:
- delay the appearance of premature aging
- moisturize and tighten the skin
- promote the growth of shiny hair
- enhance the brightness of the complexion
- boost the growth of healthy-looking nails
- enhance skin elasticity to prevent symptoms of premature aging, such as wrinkles
STEARIC ACID is known to:
- have cleansing properties that purge dirt, sweat and excess sebum from hair and skin
- be an ideal emulsifying agent that binds water and oil
- help products remain potent when stored for long periods of time
- condition and protect hair from damage without diminishing luster or making it feel heavy
- have exceptional cleansing properties
- soften skin
BEHENIC ACID is known to:
- lubricate and soothe skin
- have emollient properties that restore skin’s natural oils
- and improve overall levels of hydration
- condition and smooth out hair follicles
- be a thickening agent and surfactant,
- opacify clear liquid solutions
VITAMIN E is known to:
- have antioxidant properties that slow the look of aging and boost circulation
- repair scarred and blemished skin
- prevent moisture loss from skin and hair
- offer soothing relief to skin that has been burned
- deeply cleanse pores and balance oil production
VITAMIN B COMPLEX is known to:
- prevent the signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines
- improve skin’s moisture retaining ability
- maintain hair’s texture, color, and strength
- regulate skin’s pigment production and thus prevent hyperpigmentation
- promote the faster healing of wounds
Used topically, Jojoba Oil acts as a non-comedogenic, fast-absorbing yet long-lasting emollient that gently moisturizes, soothes, nourishes, and softens skin without leaving a greasy residue. It cleanses skin to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and to promote the growth of new skin that is clear, cleansed, healthy, and supple. Due to a chemical composition that closely resembles the sebum found in human skin, Jojoba Oil is readily accepted and endured by skin. Jojoba Oil can balance skin’s oil production to reduce the effects of acne by eliminating excess natural oils in the pores. By creating a moisturizing and protective barrier on the skin, it guards against the harsh effects of the natural elements. Used on nails, Jojoba Oil strengthens and hydrates the cuticles while preventing infections from forming on the nail beds.
Used in hair, Jojoba Carrier Oil can rejuvenate and promote its growth. It helps reduce oiliness on the scalp by regulating the production of sebum. Hair that is dry and frizzy can benefit from Jojoba Oil’s conditioning properties, as they make hair more manageable and free from knots. When applied to damp hair, Jojoba Oil coats the hair shaft in its liquid wax and prevents it from drying by sealing in the moisture. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of Jojoba Oil eliminate dandruff and repair any damage such as breakage, leaving a cooling sensation on the scalp. This overall fortifying effect on hair encourages it to grow healthier faster, making it appear to be thicker and more lustrous.
Used medicinally, Jojoba Oil’s antiseptic and disinfectant properties can eliminate harmful bacteria on the skin. Simultaneously, it soothes inflammation, wounds, itching, dryness, and redness caused by skin conditions such as chaffing, chapping, burns, eczema, fungal infections, and psoriasis. On acne-prone skin, it functions as a deep cleaning agent that clears blocked pores and soothes irritated skin with its anti-inflammatory properties.
As illustrated, Jojoba Carrier Oil is reputed to have many therapeutic properties. The following highlights its many benefits and the kinds of activity it is believed to show:
- COSMETIC: Non-Comedogenic, Emollient, Protectively Hydrating, Lubricating, Cooling, Soothing, Antioxidant, Softening, Strengthening, Stimulating, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial
- MEDICINAL: Antiseptic, Antifungal, Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Astringent, Stimulant, Tonic
CULTIVATING AND HARVESTING QUALITY JOJOBA OIL
The Jojoba shrub is a wild, woody botanical that is endemic to the hot, arid regions of southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico. It can be found in the Sonoran Desert, the Colorado Desert, and the Baja California Desert; however, Jojoba plantations can be found in other desert and semi-desert areas, such as Argentina, Australia, Israel, Mexico, Peru and the United States. Due to their ability to endure high heat, Jojoba plants can be damaged or can even die if exposed to frost. The Jojoba plant can withstand poor-nutrient soils as well as those with salinity. It can tolerate droughts and requires light, coarse, well-drained, sandy soil with a pH between 5 and 8, thriving on exceptionally small amounts of water per year as well as minimal cultivation. If Jojoba plants are established on heavy soil, their growth is slower, causing them to bloom later and to potentially acquire fungal diseases.
The Jojoba shrub can grow up to 19 feet tall and looks like a small tree with multiple stems. Thick, broad, waxy, and grey-green in color, the Jojoba plant’s oval leaves are aerodynamic, as they stand erect with only the tips visible to the sun, which draws wind-borne pollen from male flowers. Their waxy protective layers, or their “cuticles,” prevent the loss of water while the tree’s taproots tunnel deep into the earth for water.
The flowers of the Jojoba shrub are divided into male and female and grow on separate plants. The flowers grow on 5 or 6 sepals and do not have any petals. The small, pale green female flowers grow in clusters at the nodes. The male flowers also grow in clusters, but they are larger and yellow in color. The pollen of the male flowers is critical for the fertilization of the female flowers, which are pollinated through the wind or with the aid of insects. Once the female plant has been pollinated, its flowers bear the seeds that are rich in oil.
The Jojoba fruit, which grows from the flowers on the sepals of the female plant and is partly enclosed at the base by its sepal, is an ovoid green pod or “capsule” that can contain up to three nuts. A mature Jojoba nut is a dark brown and hard oval that contains the liquid wax or the “oil.” Generally, Jojoba plants begin to produce seeds after the third year of growth, at which time farmers use a drip irrigation method to deliver the ideal amount of water to the plants. After 3 to 6 months after they are fertilized, the ripe Jojoba capsule splits open, which reveals the wrinkled brown seed that is approximately the size of an olive. Typically, Jojoba seeds are harvested by hand, as they do not all mature at the same time, thus sometimes more than one harvest is required.
HOW IS JOJOBA OIL EXTRACTED?
Jojoba Oil is derived from the cold pressing of its nuts/beans/seeds. After they are placed in an expeller, the nuts have their oil pressed out by the mechanism’s screw. In this method, the oil does not heat up, as heat can cause the loss of some of its beneficial properties, which would render the oil less effective. Unrefined Jojoba Carrier Oil is clear golden in color, liquid at room temperature, and its scent is slightly nutty. Refined Jojoba Oil is colorless and does not have an odor.
USES OF JOJOBA OIL
The uses of Jojoba Carrier Oil are abundant, ranging from medicinal to cosmetic. Its many forms include oils, gels, lotions, soaps, shampoos, sprays, and candle making.
Jojoba Oil can be used on skin, hair, and nails to cleanse, condition, moisturize, and eliminate or prevent fungal infections. To create a moisturizing face mask, a few drops of Jojoba Oil can be added to a facial clay and applied a few times a week. Applying Jojoba Oil to areas of skin affected by acne will help reduce the appearance and outbreak of pimples and blackheads by regulating sebum production and balancing skin’s natural moisture. For a moisturizer, Jojoba Oil can be mixed with a few drops of a soothing essential oil like Lavender then applied to the body after a bath or a shower for long-lasting hydration. This will leave skin looking and feeling clean, healthy, firm, and youthful without a greasy residue. For a soothing massage oil blend, Jojoba Oil can be used to dilute calming essential oils such as Frankincense or Bergamot. To make a natural makeup remover, a few drops of Jojoba Oil can be added to a cotton ball and wiped across the face with gentle pressure to remove foundation, blush, eye makeup, and lip color. To moisturize and refresh the appearance of dry cuticles and hangnails, Jojoba Oil can be rubbed into the skin around the nails as a cuticle cream.
To clean and moisturize dry hair, a few drops of gently heated Jojoba Oil can be massaged into damp hair to soak into and condition the hair for a few minutes before rinsing it out thoroughly with shampoo. To fix the problem of frizzy hair, a few drops of Jojoba Oil can be massaged into the affected areas of dry hair, avoiding the scalp. For an oil that prevents hair loss and increases hair’s sheen, Rosemary Oil can be added to Jojoba Oil before being applied to the scalp and hair.
For a moisturizing layer of protection on the skin when outdoors, Jojoba Oil can be applied to the face and any other exposed skin to guard it against any harshness from the elements. It can also be applied to the face as a serum and left on overnight for softer, smoother skin. Mixed with an equal quantity of beeswax and applied to the lips, Jojoba Oil can replace traditional lip balms that most likely have petroleum jelly bases. By locking in moisture with its waxy barrier, it protects lips against the drying and damaging effects of the cold and the wind, keeping them looking and feeling supple. For lasting moisture and to repair chapped and cracked areas of skin, Jojoba Oil can be applied after cleansing the affected areas with warm water and patting them dry. The oil will soften calloused areas while preventing bacterial infections from forming in any areas with split skin.
Used medicinally, Jojoba Oil can address fungal infections such as toenail fungus and Athlete’s Foot. When applied to wounds and sunburns, it can facilitate the healing process by effectively eliminating bacteria and reducing inflammation. Those with arthritis and joint pain can use Jojoba Oil blended with pain-relieving essential oils to ease discomfort, as it rapidly penetrates the skin to carry the analgesic properties of the essential oils to the affected areas.
A GUIDE TO JOJOBA OIL VARIETIES & THEIR BENEFITS
| VARIETY & BOTANICAL NAME | BENEFITS OF OIL |
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Jojoba Clear Deodorized Carrier Oil Simmondsia chinensis Found in: Argentina |
Known for:
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Jojoba Clear Deodorized Organic Carrier Oil Simmondsia chinensis Found in: Israel |
Known for:
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Jojoba Golden Carrier Oil Simmondsia chinensis Found in: Argentina |
Known for:
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Jojoba Golden Deodorized Carrier Oil Simmondsia chinensis Found in: Argentina |
Known for:
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Jojoba Golden Organic Carrier Oil Simmondsia chinensis Found in: Argentina |
Known for:
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CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR JOJOBA OIL
As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, carrier oils are for external use only. Jojoba Oil is known to be safe for most people to use, when applied topically; however, in some instances, it can potentially cause side effects such as rashes. It is recommended that a small skin patch test is conducted on the inner arm to test for any allergic responses. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product. Side effects caused by the use of Jojoba Oil may alternatively be caused by other oils that might have been combined with it, such as in a massage blend.