Jojoba oil for face care: it is probably one of the most versatile and trustworthy all natural moisturizers.
Jojoba oil originated in Mexico and South America and was brought across the Atlantic around the 18th century. Of all vegetable oils, jojoba oil’s consistency is closest to our own sebum. [Sebum is the “grease” that helps to keep our skin in good condition, protected and supple. Oily skin produces more than you would want it to, dry skin could do with a little more.] Don’t get me wrong, all vegetable oils are great! Jojoba oil just so happens to be a very interesting one, because of its molecular structure, which is so close to the natural lubricant already present on our skin.
Jojoba oil isn’t even a real oil. We call it an “oil” because it is liquid, but it’s actually a liquid wax. Without getting too deep into chemistry, let’s just say it consists of wax esters – it has the chemical structure of a wax, so it is ‘chemically speaking’ and technically a wax, but so often referred to as an oil because it looks and feels as fluid as one.
Jojoba Oil for Face Care of Different Skin Types
1. Oily Skin Care / Acne / Blackheads
Why would I use jojoba oil for face care, when my skin is already way too shiny on its own? I don’t want to add anything oily to my skin, on the contrary – I’m looking to get rid of all that excess sebum my face produces!
If you were to believe the general skin care industry, oily products are and oily skin’s worst enemy. Excess oil needs to be stripped away with a very efficient cleanser, after which you’d want to add an oil-free moisturizer. Basically, you don’t want to see a trace of oil left on your face, or add so much as a drop of oil to it!
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. I remember how in my teens I tried every possible oil-free, acne-be-gone and anti-shine product on the market. But no matter how much oil I stripped away and attempted to control the shine, my skin would just keep making more. Skin is very much alive, and it can’t just be de-greased, like a kitchen floor or a stove-top. As a living and breathing organ, in response to scarcity the skin will try to produce more. That’s the message it is getting twice a day, when it finds itself stripped of all oil through a rigorous cleansing ritual.
With jojoba oil (in addition to a gentle cleanser) you are not stripping away the skin’s natural lubricant. Quite the contrary – jojoba oil can dissolve the excess sebum, without causing the skin’s alarm bells starting to ring: “We need to produce more oil, again! It has all been stripped away!”. That is the power of jojoba oil for face care when you have oily skin, with or without acne. There probably will be a period of adjustment if your skin is used to harsh cleansing. As with any natural environment, it may take a little time for the balance to be found again, but jojoba oil can be a wonderful gentle moisturizer and rescue your oily skin.
2. Dry Skin Care
Can I use jojoba oil for face care if my skin is dry?
Jojoba oil is a great ally for dry skin. A little bit of jojoba oil will help to keep the skin hydrated, by forming a very thin layer over it. The skin will have no problem breathing (as with petroleum derived mineral oils) and should not feel greasy, while jojoba oil does a great job preventing the loss of moisture. Especially if your skin is not only dry, but also sensitive and perhaps a bit reactive, switching to jojoba oil as a facial moisturizer could really help protect and restore.
3. Aging Skin Care
Does jojoba oil do anything to minimize or prevent wrinkles?
Absolutely, jojoba oil has been shown to increase the skin’s suppleness in dermatological tests. It softens the skin and reduces fine line. It also has rejuvenating properties, which is great for aging skin. As there are many botanical ingredients that do great things for aging skin, jojoba oil is often blended with a few other rejuvenating oils or extracts. Nothing wrong with concoction of the very best ingredients to support your skin, and all of them too, not just one. If you had to stick with one, jojoba oil would be a good choice, but again – there’s nothing wrong with wanting it all, right?
How do I use jojoba oil for face care?
Simply Pure vs. Adding Other Ingredients
You may be wondering if it is okay to use jojoba oil for face care in its pure form, or whether you need to dilute it with something.
Jojoba oil, being a carrier oil (also referred to as a vegetable oil) and not an essential oil, does not need to be diluted. On the contrary – it can be used as a base oil, to dilute other, stronger items, such as a few drops of essential oils suited to your skin type.
The difference between using straight, pure jojoba oil and adding some other bells and whistles, is obviously Jojoba oil is a great multi-purpose moisturizer, and it will most likely benefit your skin. That doesn’t mean you can’t spruce it up with a few more beneficial ingredients and rake in the additional benefit of healing extracts, oils or herbs, specific to you skin type. Jojoba oil has something to offer to oily skin, acne and/or blackheads, dry skin as well as mature skin. Blending it with (essential) oils that are specific to a certain skin type, is the way to make your concoction tip toward a particular purpose. Instead of simply using jojoba oil for face care, you can rally a few extra helpers, and create a jojoba-based blend with a defined focus. Or even just add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a yummy fragrance.
Read more about using the benefits of essential oils and aromatherapy skin care.
Where to find good jojoba oil for face care?
- A local organic store may very well have it on the shelf.
- On Amazon, I love the organic oils by Dr. Adorable, here’s their jojoba oil
, in many different quantity’s.
- From Nature With Love carries both clear and golden organic jojoba oil.
Professional Potions with Jojoba Oil for Face Care
What if you’re not really into making my own skin care? Or you would rather use something a bit more complex and sophisticated than pure jojoba oil, but without investing in all those separate ingredients. Where can you get professionally-made face care with jojoba oil?
- Replenishing Nutrient Complex and Beautifying Face Oil, by Tata Harper.
The Replenishing Nutrient Complex has jojoba oil as its second ingredient, followed by olive oil and a list of botanical extracts – most from organic farming. It is for all skin types, including breakouts.
The Beautifying Face Oil is more for hydration and anti-aging, also relaying heavily on jojoba oil (it’s the second ingredient here too), paired with a list of botanical extracts to energize, revitalize, and brighten the skin.
- Anti Aging Facial Oil, by Annmarie Gianni.
Jojoba oil is both infused with, as well as paired with, an impressive selection of anti-oxidant, restorative and anti-aging plant extract and other oils in the Anti-Aging Facial Oil.
- Balancing Moisturiser, Rejuvenating Moisturiser, and Purifying Moisturiser, by Miessence.
Miessence has three facial moisturisers available, and all three of them are made with jojoba oil.
The Purifying Moisturiser contains aloe vera, jojoba oil and shea butter, together with a selection of essential oils and extracts to benefit oily skin prone to breakouts.
The Balancing Moisturiser (for normal and combination skin) contains aloe vera, jojoba oil and shea butter again, combined with rosehip seed oil and sunflower seed oil as well as a bunch of plant extracts.
For the Rejuvenating Moisturiser, Miessence adds rosehip seed oil and avocado oil, which is great for aging skin, to their beloved base of jojoba, aloe vera, and shea butter. For an overview of all oils and extracts used in each moisturiser, please check out the descriptions on the website.
- Sensitive Skin Natural Facial Serum (and many more) by Just Natural Skin Care.
Just Natural uses jojoba oil in many of their skin care products. The Natural Facial Serum is made with jojoba oil, together with oils of grapeseed, primrose, kukui nut, meadowfoam seed, pomegranate, hazelnut and a little rosehip. Browsing their different balms, creams and serums, you will notice jojoba oil in quite a few of them – again, an indication of this oil’s amazing versatility.
