Profile: Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis), pronounced, "hohoba," is a great carrier oil for essential oils. It is cold pressed from the seeds of the plant. Technically, it is not an oil but a liquid wax but is usually referred to as an oil. Due to its chemical profile, it is very stable and has an unlimited shelf life. In aromatherapy blends, it is often blended with other carrier oils to extend the blends shelf life. The jojoba plant was first recorded by British botanist H. F. Link in 1822 when he landed at Baja California in northern Mexico and observed the shrub in its natural context. Today, jojoba oil typically comes from semi-arid regions such as southern California, Arizona, Israel, and Australia.

It is used topically and is made up of constituents that are chemically the same as the sebum of human skin and therefore it is easily absorbed and very nourishing to the skin. In aromatherapy, it is often used as a base for essential oils when blending for skin issues. It is golden to dark yellow in color, and it is recommended to purchase jojoba oil that is unrefined to preserve its healing properties. It has very little scent.

Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, making it an excellent choice for skincare. On the comedogenic scale, it is rated as a "2," where zero indicates no pore-clogging potential and five suggests a high likelihood of clogging. Jojoba oil possesses antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in addressing dandruff. It serves as an outstanding moisturizer, providing significant skin soothing benefits. It can be used alone or combined with a few drops of essential oils. Jojoba oil is a valuable addition to any skincare regimen, as it absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue.

See my blog on Summer Skin Moisturizer or the Winter Moisturizing Recipe which both use jojoba oil as the carrier oil.