Jojoba oil for the face: what it is used for and why it is not really an oil

What jojoba oil is and where it comes from

Jojoba oil is pressed from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis, a shrub that grows in the dry regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The indigenous people of this region have traditionally used it for centuries to care for skin and hair, and in the local climate it thrives even where other oil plants barely survive. Today its popularity in cosmetics is returning, partly because jojoba needs relatively little water to grow and tolerates long dry periods without irrigation. This very undemanding nature also makes it a gentler alternative to crops that need far more water, land and care throughout the whole growing season to give a comparable yield.

Why jojoba oil is really a liquid wax

Despite its name, this liquid is not an oil in the chemical sense. Classic vegetable oils consist mostly of triglycerides, whereas this liquid is made up of roughly 97% liquid wax esters, with a small amount of triglycerides and unsaponifiable matter. This structure is very similar to the composition of human sebum, which is why skin accepts it so well and without a greasy feeling on the surface. The wax structure has another practical consequence: the liquid is exceptionally resistant to oxidation, so it lasts a long time without yellowing or turning rancid, and in cosmetics it ranks among the more stable and durable ingredients that keep their original quality and scent for a long time.

Effects of jojoba oil on the skin

Thanks to its similarity to sebum, this liquid is absorbed easily by the skin and leaves no greasy film. It helps replenish and maintain the skin's natural moisture barrier, so the skin feels more supple and less tight, especially in colder months or in the dry air from heating. It also contains natural antioxidants, which contribute to a more even look of the skin and protect it from drying out during the day. More about how jojoba oil works on the skin barrier and what it contains is described in studies on jojoba oil available in the PubMed database. Thanks to its wax structure, it suits practically all skin types, from dry to oily, because it does not weigh the skin down and is not comedogenic in the sense of clogging pores.

Jojoba oil for the face: how to use it

It can be used on the face in several ways, depending on what your skin needs at the moment. On its own, it is applied in a thin layer to clean skin, most often in the evening, when it has time to absorb without any make-up on the surface. It works just as well as part of make-up removal, because it dissolves even waterproof make-up while hydrating the skin during cleansing instead of drying it out; the Zuzička cleansing oil is built on exactly this principle, combining it with almond, castor and cucumber oils. Before first use on the face, it is worth doing a small test on the inside of your wrist and waiting a few hours to see whether the skin reacts with irritation or redness.

Jojoba oil for problem and oily skin

It may sound surprising, but this liquid also suits oily and problem skin. When skin senses a lack of its own sebum, it often starts producing even more; thanks to its similarity to sebum, jojoba oil helps calm this balance without weighing the skin down further with an oily film. That is why it is also part of the DIAMANT elixir, which combines it with bakuchiol and a stable form of vitamin C and is designed for skin prone to imperfections and an uneven look. You can read more about the natural alternative to retinol in the article on bakuchiol, or in the wider article on the causes of acne and gentle care for skin with this tendency.

Jojoba oil for hair

This liquid also suits hair and scalp care, where it works much as it does on the face, replenishing and balancing the natural sebum of the scalp. A few drops rubbed between the palms and run through the lengths and ends help hair look shinier and less brittle, without weighing it down or making it look greasy. On the scalp it can also be used as part of a massage before washing, gently worked in with the fingers and left on for a few minutes before your usual shampoo. For a more oily scalp a smaller amount is enough, applied only to the lengths and ends, not directly to the roots.

How to choose a good jojoba oil

When choosing, it is worth reaching for organic quality, cold-pressed and unrefined, because that keeps the most of its natural properties and its typical golden colour. Our pure version, Organic Jojoba Oil, is currently temporarily sold out, but you will find the same ingredient in both products mentioned above, Zuzička and the DIAMANT elixir. When buying a single oil, check that the bottle is dark or at least protected from light; this liquid is resistant to oxidation on its own, but direct sun and heat do not help its shelf life and can change its scent over time.

• Organic quality and cold pressing without the use of solvents.
• Unrefined, golden in colour rather than a clear, heavily processed oil.
• A dark or opaque bottle, stored away from direct sunlight.
• Clearly stated INCI Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil as the only or main ingredient.

Did you know…

Did you know that jojoba oil is not chemically an oil but a liquid wax, made up of about 97 percent wax esters?