How to use jojoba oil to care for your hair and skin

The oil is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant, which grows especially in the Sonora desert in Mexico, and in some regions of Arizona and southern California. Although it has been known for thousands of years, day by day it has been gaining popularity, until becoming a very precious product, especially by the cosmetic industry, thanks to its nutritional composition. It is yellow in color and has a mild and pleasant smell, similar to that of hazelnuts.

We can find jojoba oil in shampoos, body creams, makeup, lipsticks and more, or we can use it naturally.

(You may also be interested in: 6 cosmetic uses of coconut oil)

Nutritional profile of jojoba oil

Jojoba seeds are rich in an oil (more similar to a wax) composed mainly of monounsaturated fats and docosanoic acid. The latter is usually used in hair conditioners and moisturizers for its smoothing properties.

The ceramides of the jojoba seed make the product stable against high temperatures and does not rust, unlike other oils. Thanks to this, it can be preserved without altering over time. These ceramides are very similar to those we have on our skin and contribute to the repair, sebum regulation and maintenance of the skin's structure.

The oil is rich in vitamins, especially tocopherol (or vitamin E), which is a powerful antioxidant and plays a key role in protecting our skin and hair, helping to prevent premature aging caused by free radicals.

Its linoleic acid (Omega 6) content also stands out, which helps improve skin elasticity.

Benefits of jojoba oil for skin

It is useful for all skin types, especially for oily and combination skin, prone to acne. This is due to its sebum-regulating properties, which, depending on the type of skin, will increase or decrease sebum production, helping to control acne in more oily skin and revitalizing drier skin.

This particularity of jojoba oil allows the skin to absorb it easily, without leaving a greasy film, which causes the pores to remain open.

Acne-attacked skin benefits from the anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antimicrobial properties of jojoba oil. Its regular use, as a complement to the indicated medical treatment, helps to thoroughly clean the pores and prevents (thanks to its antimicrobial properties) that new cysts form on the skin, relieving pain and deflating the affected area.

On the other hand, its antioxidants allow neutralizing free radicals and diminish aging and the appearance of wrinkles. Also, it has softening properties, thanks to the fact that it activates the metabolism of elastin and allows the skin to regain its elasticity and, in turn, limits the loss of water by the skin cells, maintaining good hydration. All this translates into smoother, younger looking skin.

And, last but not least, jojoba oil has a light ultraviolet filter that protects the cells of our skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation, acting as a sunscreen and as a protective agent against pathogens.

jojoba oil to prevent wrinkles

We must massage with 2 or 3 drops of jojoba oil in the affected areas, every day, both in the morning and at night. Thus, the regular use of jojoba oil will allow us, over time, to have a more elastic and smooth skin. As a complement, we can use essential oil of pink geranium, rose hip, apricot nut, hemp oil, among others.

Benefits of jojoba oil for hair

Thanks to its sebum-regulating properties, it can be used on oily and dry hair, which breaks easily. The cerides in jojoba oil protect hair, helping to strengthen it from root to tip. On the other hand, it gives shine and enhances the natural color of the hair.

It can be useful, depending on the cause that causes it, to treat hair loss. When the cause of the fall is the accumulation of sebum on the scalp, which can lead to follicle death and fall, jojoba oil can help slow down this process. Apply a tablespoon of the oil 30 minutes before washing our hair, gently massaging the scalp to finish with the hardened sebum.

The application of jojoba oil on the hair also allows you to seal the tips that have already blossomed, nourishing them and improving their appearance. On the other hand, the vitamin E present in its composition helps to revitalize the hair, allowing a shinier and smoother mane to appear.

How to apply jojoba oil on hair?

About 30 minutes before washing our hair, we should apply 1 or 2 tablespoons of the oil and massage gently. We can combine, for a better result, with argan, shea butter, coconut, avocado or cocoa butter. Another option is to add 6-7 drops of oil to the shampoo that we usually use and leave it to act for 3 minutes before rinsing it off.

We can also make a mask for very dry and brittle hair. In this case we must massage the hair with the oil, cover it with a warm towel for 20 minutes and then wash the hair as we usually do.

If you already tried it, tell us what results it gave you.