Jojoba Oil: Chemical Wonders and Beauty Benefits

I came across something I’d never seen this week and thought it’d be good to educate folks on Jojoba Oil (pronounced ho-ho-ba). It was saying that Jojoba is comedogenic (pore-clogging). Now, if there’s one oil that is completely opposite of pore clogging, it’s jojoba. It’s the closest plant oil that nearly matches human sebum (the oil excreted from pores). This characteristic is what makes it incredibly absorbing and a non-irritant to your skin. Anyone saying jojoba is comegogenic is just not educated. So let’s dive into Jojoba Oil characteristics and benefits.

History

Jojoba is a widely used medicinal plant that is cultivated worldwide. There is a long history of use in folklore to treat various skin ailments, scalp disorders, sore throat, obesity and even cancer. Also found in folklore is use for immunity enhancement and promotion of hair growth.

Extensive studies on Jojoba oil show a wide range of pharmacological applications, including antioxidant, anti-acne (non-pore clogging), anti-psoriasis, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial. Additionally, Jojoba oil is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry especially for topical, transdermal, and parenteral preparations (because it’s so highly absorbing).

Jojoba goes by other names as well: coffee nut, goatnut, nutpush, goatberry, and lemon leaf to name a few. The seeds of the Jojoba plant are a dark brown, resembling giant coffee beans.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Jojoba is the only plant species known for synthesizing liquid wax. Generally, plant derived oils are rich in triglycerides and fatty acids (as the last two newsletters discussed), while in contrast Jojoba oil contains about 98% pure waxes (they’re primarily in the form of wax esters which are fatty acids esterified to an alcohol). This is why Jojoba is often referred to as a wax, but not in the sense of a hard wax. The esterification of the fatty acids is what keeps it in liquid form.

Skin Benefits

Jojoba oil is commonly found in a myriad of cosmetic formulations from sunscreen to moisturizers. It’s been shown to improve the absorption of topical drugs. Because of its high wax ester content, jojoba oils is an excellent repair option for skin with compromised skin barriers (i.e., dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and acne). Jojoba oil has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties which make it a great choice for ageing skin, wound healing, sensitive skin, and rosacea prone skin.

While it’s commonly classified as an oil due to its pale yellow transparent liquid appearance, as stated above, it’s actually a liquid wax (ester). Jojoba wax esters are very similar to sebum, which is naturally produced by human skin. Furthermore, wax esters have moisturizing and softening properties.

Interesting Facts

Jojoba oil has high heat stability (up to a certain temperature of course). Cosmetic formulations containing jojoba oil are more resistant to oxidation (rancidity) than other plant oils used in cosmetics. This helps with a longer shelf life.

In Conclusion

Jojoba oil is an exceptional ingredient for cosmetic formulations. If you spot it near the top of a product’s ingredient list, that’s a great sign. Its soothing and fast-absorbing qualities make it a versatile and effective choice for any skincare product.

Please share this information if you feel someone needs more information on this wonderful oil.