Everything you need to know about jojoba oil for skin and hair
Perhaps you’re holding a small bottle of jojoba oil and wondering: Does it belong on your face, in your hair or both? You can use it in both places. Let’s look at what the golden oil can do and how to get the most out of it.
In brief
- Jojoba oil is a liquid wax from the seeds of the jojoba shrub.
- It softens the skin and makes it supple.
- In hair, it adds shine and makes dry ends easier to detangle.
- It feels light and can be used on the face, in the hair and on the body.
- Unrefined jojoba oil keeps for a long time without going rancid.
What is jojoba oil?
Jojoba oil is a golden, liquid wax pressed from the seeds of the jojoba shrub (Simmondsia chinensis). The shrub is native to the deserts of North and Central America.1
Jojoba oil consists almost entirely of wax esters, while most other plant oils consist of fats called triglycerides.2
Wax esters are also found in the skin’s own oils. That’s why jojoba oil is often compared to the skin’s own oils.1 If the bottle says jojoba oil, it’s the same oil. On the ingredients list, it is called Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil.
What is jojoba oil good for?
Jojoba oil softens the skin and makes it supple, and in hair it adds shine and makes dry ends easier to detangle.
Does your skin feel tight after a hot bath, or do your cheeks feel dry on a cold morning? The oil primarily sits on the skin’s surface.3 Here, it strengthens the skin’s outermost layer, helping dry skin retain moisture better.4
- Dry skin: softer, more supple skin on the face and body.
- Dry hair: softer lengths and ends with a lovely shine.
- Beard: softer hair and supple skin beneath the beard.
- Cuticles: a single drop softens dry cuticles.
Good to know
Oil doesn’t add water to the skin. It helps retain the moisture already in the skin. So use jojoba oil on slightly damp skin or over your cream.
Jojoba oil on the face
You can use jojoba oil on your face. It feels light and suits most skin types, including combination skin. If you have dry or mature skin, the oil can make it soft and supple.
Warm 1–2 drops of pure jojoba oil between your fingers and gently apply it to slightly damp skin or over your cream. Finish your evening routine with the oil and enjoy a little moment to yourself in front of the mirror. If you use a product with jojoba oil, follow the product’s directions for use.
Is jojoba oil suitable for oily skin?
Yes, a light oil like jojoba oil can also suit oily skin. Start with a little in the evening and see how your skin feels. If you get more blemishes, take a break.
Good to know
Allergy to jojoba oil is rare.1 Even so, try a new product on a small area of skin first and keep the oil away from your eyes. Stop if your skin becomes red, stings or itches.
Jojoba oil in hair
Do your ends feel dry and rough after blow-drying? The oil coats the hair strands and softens dry lengths and ends. It also adds shine and makes hair easier to detangle.
The oil is light, but still start with a little and adjust the amount to your hair. If you have fine hair, one drop is often enough.
- Warm 1–2 drops between your palms.
- Apply the oil to the ends and work your way up through the lengths.
- Use it in towel-dried hair before blow-drying, or in dry hair when your ends need it.
- Blow-dry your hair or let it air-dry as usual.
Myth or fact?
Jojoba oil makes hair grow.
Myth. There is no evidence that jojoba oil makes hair grow. It cares for the hair you have and adds shine.
If you have oily skin, you should avoid oil.
Myth. A light oil like jojoba oil can also suit oily skin. Use a little and see how your skin feels.
Jojoba oil is actually a wax.
Fact. It is liquid, but consists almost entirely of wax esters.
Which jojoba oil should you choose?
When choosing jojoba oil, you’ll come across words like unrefined, refined and organic. They tell you something about how the oil is made and how long it keeps.
- Unrefined: The golden oil naturally contains vitamin E and therefore keeps for a long time without going rancid.
- Refined: The oil is almost white. Processing removes the vitamin E, giving the oil a shorter shelf life.1
- Organic: This describes how the shrubs are grown, but not how the oil feels on the skin.
Store your oil in a cool, dark place with the lid on, and check the expiry date on the packaging.
Jojoba oil or argan oil?
Which oil is best for the skin? That mostly depends on your skin and how you like the oil to feel. Jojoba oil feels light on the skin. Argan oil feels a little richer, castor oil is thick and adds shine, and solid shea butter suits the driest areas.
Still unsure? Compare oils for the skin.
When should you apply jojoba oil?
- On slightly damp skin or over cream
- Just before cleansing your skin
- Only in the morning under makeup
Oil doesn’t add water, but helps retain the moisture already in the skin.
How much should you use in fine hair?
- One drop
- A generous handful
- Enough to cover all your hair
Start with a little. You can always add another drop.
Your skin turns red after using a new oil. What do you do?
- Use a little more
- Keep going, it will probably pass
- Stop using the oil
Listen to your skin’s signals and stop if it becomes red, stings or itches.
Our care products with jojoba oil
At ECOOKING, we don’t sell pure jojoba oil. Instead, you’ll find it in our face oils and oils for the body, hair and beard. Reach for the face oil when your skin feels tight in the evening, or the hair oil when your ends need it. And if you’re not happy with your care products, you have our 100 % satisfaction guarantee.
Face oil
Fragrance-free face oil for dry and mature skin that nourishes, hydrates and ...
Firming face oil (Firming Face Oil) 30 ml
Get softer skin with a beautiful, natural glow. Firming Face Oil (fragrance-f...
Facial Oil
Our Facial Oil provides intense moisture and nourishment, softens skin, gives...
Multi Oil
Organic body oil that nourishes and softens skin, hair and beard and can also...
Men, Beard & Body Oil
Beard oil and body oil for men that softens the beard, cares for skin affecte...
Hair Oil
Light hair oil for dry and frizzy hair that reduces split ends and leaves hai...
Frequently asked questions
What is jojoba oil?
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax pressed from the seeds of the jojoba shrub. It is called an oil because it is liquid.
What is jojoba oil good for?
It softens dry skin and makes it supple. In hair, it adds shine, and you can also use it in your beard and on dry cuticles.
Can you use jojoba oil on your face?
Yes. It is light and suits most skin types. Start with 1–2 drops of pure oil on slightly damp skin, or follow the directions for use on your product.
Is jojoba oil good for hair?
Yes, especially for dry hair. A few drops in the lengths and ends add shine and make hair easier to detangle.
Which oil is best for the skin?
It depends on your skin and what you like. Jojoba oil feels light, while argan oil and shea butter feel richer on dry skin.
Can you use jojoba oil on your nails?
Yes. Massage a drop into dry cuticles to make them feel softer.
What is the difference between jojoba oil and argan oil?
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax and feels light. Argan oil is a conventional plant oil that feels a little richer on the skin.
Sources
- Gad HA et al. Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity. Polymers. 2021. PubMed
- Pazyar N et al. Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 2013. PubMed
- Lin TK et al. Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017. PubMed
- Blaak J, Staib P. An updated review on efficacy and benefits of sweet almond, evening primrose and jojoba oils in skin care applications. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. 2022. PubMed
