Why jojoba needs to be part of your skin routine
When it comes to facial oils, jojoba is in a league of its own. So what is it about jojoba that makes it so special?
While different oils have set the skincare industry buzzing in recent years, the type of oils – along with their uses and effectiveness – can vary dramatically.
But one oil that has the backing of dermatologists and skincare fanatics alike is jojoba oil.
What is jojoba oil?
Despite its name, jojoba (pronounced “ho-ho-ba”) oil isn’t actually an oil, but rather a liquid wax that closely resembles an oil constituency.
Extracted from the Chinensis plant native to California, jojoba oil has been used to treat wounds and sores in Native American culture for centuries.
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What makes jojoba oil a skincare standout?
Jojoba oil is now used for its anti-inflammatory and healing properies, and can benefit a legion of skin issues, including sunburn, acne, skin infection, ageing and wound healing.
“I recommend jojoba oil to my patients because it’s got great properties and is non-comedogenic, which means it’s suitable to all skin types,” dermatologist Dr Niyati Sharma, owner of plant-based skincare clinic, Inside Out Derm, says.
“It can help restore the skin’s properties, such as making drier skin smoother, reducing flakiness and restoring oil production.
“There are very few skincare oils similar to our own oils.”
Dermatologist Associate Professor Rosemary Nixon of the Skin Health Institute likes jojoba as an active ingredient in moisturising skincare products.
“Jojoba’s waxy composition best lends itself to be used to assist with eczema and dry skin,” Assoc Prof Nixon says.
“It has a structural similarity to skin sebum as well as high molecular weight and low viscosity, so can reduce moisture loss without blocking pores.
“That’s just one of the ways moisturisers work.”
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Are all jojoba oil products the same?
The way jojoba is extracted and produced can impact its overall performance on the skin, according to Dr Sharma.
“It depends on how the oil has been made, such as whether it’s been cold-pressed and hydrolysed, which are far better than if it were heated and extracted,” Dr Sharma says.
How to use jojoba oil
While the science around jojoba is notable, Assoc Prof Rosemary Nixon is reluctant to recommend using it directly on the skin.
“Although jojoba does not cause any harm and indeed may provide a topical moisturising effect, it should be used in conjunction with other individualised topical formulations as directed by a medical professional, or as part of a cosmetic formulation,” she says.
Considered safe to use for all skin types, including people with sensitive skin, Assoc Prof Nixon recommends being cautious when using it in conjunction with a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or topical corticosteroids, and to stop and avoid use if it causes skin irritation.
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Written by Charlotte Brundrett.
