A liquid wax pressed from jojoba seeds, close to the skin’s own oil.
Why it’s used: Conditions hair and skin without feeling greasy.
Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis, pronounced ho-HO-ba) is a hardy, grey-green shrub native to the deserts of the south-western United States and northern Mexico. Its seeds are cold-pressed to produce a golden liquid that is usually called an oil but is actually a liquid wax, making up roughly half the weight of the seed. Jojoba is the only plant known to produce liquid wax in this way.
Around 98% of jojoba oil is made up of wax esters, with small amounts of free fatty acids, fatty alcohols, sterols and vitamin E. What makes it so popular in hair and skin care is that these wax esters closely resemble the wax esters in human sebum, the skin's own oil. On ingredient lists you will see Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, and it is a favourite carrier oil for blending essential oils such as rosemary.
Jojoba oil conditions hair and skin without feeling greasy. Studies describe it as a light, lubricating emollient that softens the skin surface and helps reduce water loss without blocking the skin, and research shows it mainly stays in the outermost layers of the skin. It has been used in cosmetics since the 1970s, when it became a replacement for sperm whale oil.
2 findings behind this ingredient. Hover a card for the detail and the source.
A small pilot study applied lotions to the lower legs of volunteers. The formula with 3.75% glycerol and 1.25% hydrolysed jojoba esters gave significantly lower transepidermal water loss than glycerol alone at 8 and 24 hours.
In an open, uncontrolled pilot study, 194 people with acne-prone skin used the mask 2 to 3 times a week for six weeks. Among 133 with complete records, total lesion count fell by 54% from baseline.
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Not technically. Jojoba is a liquid wax made almost entirely of wax esters, rather than the triglycerides found in most plant oils. That structure gives it a light, non-greasy feel that is close to the skin's own oil.
Its wax esters closely resemble those in sebum, the oil your skin makes naturally. It conditions hair and skin without feeling greasy, softens the skin surface and helps reduce moisture loss without blocking the skin.
Yes. Jojoba is one of the most popular carrier oils because it is light and spreads easily without a greasy feel. It is often used to dilute essential oils such as rosemary before applying them to the scalp or skin.
Videos from doctors, research scientists and registered dietitians, for general education. They are independent of Nutra Formulations, do not refer to our products and are not medical advice for you.
Jojoba Oil for Skin and Hair
Dr Andrea Suarez (Dr Dray), MD, board-certified dermatologist · Dr Dray on YouTube
Information only, not medical advice. If you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
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