The Ultimate Guide to Jojoba Oil for Skin & Hair
Curious about trying jojoba oil for hair and skin? This versatile oil is ideal for all skin types & the ultimate hair oil. Learn how to use it + benefits here.

Few oils have a more loyal following than jojoba for hair, skin, nails, and body care.

But what exactly is jojoba oil? Where does it come from? Is it safe for all skin and hair types? And how do you use it?

From the proper jojoba oil pronunciation (we get it!) to what makes jojoba oil such a special beauty ingredient (hint: It’s not actually an oil), we’re sharing everything you need to know about this natural wonder. 

What is Jojoba Oil?

Commonly referred to as nature’s multitasker or “the golden oil”, jojoba oil (pronounced huh·ho·buh) comes from the nut-like seed of the jojoba desert plant, which is pressed to create the liquid wax known as jojoba oil.

Jojoba oil has many unique properties, including its ability to minimize excessive oil or sebum while restoring moisture and balance. 

Nourishing by nature and pure by design, Desert Essence golden jojoba oils are extracted without chemicals and sourced from sustainable desert farms and they can work wonders in every step of your beauty routine. 

10 Jojoba Oil Benefits You’ll Love

Jojoba oil is one of nature’s most brilliant multitasking oils, and can be used from head to toe to soothe, moisturize, balance, protect, and heal skin and hair.

Its rich history of traditional use has also made it the subject of several studies, which have given weight to many of its legendary benefits.

1. Jojoba Oil Can Help Balance Oily or Combination Skin

Oily and combination skin are two of the most misunderstood skin types.

The narrative around these skin types is that the body produces too much sebum, which must be dried up.

However, the misunderstanding is that the skin is often crying out for moisture, which is why it over-produces sebum in the first place.

If you have oily or combination skin, you’ve probably experienced how futile it is to try to control it with drying products. Once you stop, even for a day or two, it just gets oilier.

The counterintuitive solution that works is to moisturize using a non-comedogenic moisturizer (won’t clog pores).

Jojoba oil is ideal as its chemical makeup closely resembles skin’s natural sebum, which signals the pores to produce less oil, resulting in (you guessed it!), less oily, more balanced skin.

Try it for a few weeks as a moisturizer and/or an oil cleanser; you just may be amazed at the results.

2. Jojoba Oil is Non-Comedogenic

Plant oils can make incredible natural moisturizers for the face and body, but they’re not all ideal for all skin types.

Those with oily, combination, blemish-prone, or bumpy skin need to choose non-comedogenic oils that won’t clog pores.

Jojoba oil, being a wax, is naturally non-comedogenic, making it an ideal light-weight, non-greasy moisturizer for all skin types.

Learn more about comedogenic and non-comedogenic ingredients in What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean in Skincare Products?

3. Jojoba Oil Works Beautifully on All Skin Types

Jojoba oil isn’t just for oily, combination, or blemish-prone skin. 

Its unique hydrating, balancing, and antioxidant properties make it an asset for all skin types, including normal, dry, mature, oily, combination, and blemish-prone.

Unlike other oils, jojoba oil is rapidly absorbed by the skin, creating a plump and dewy yet non-greasy complexion.

These attributes make jojoba oil incredibly versatile and beneficial for the whole family (and your whole body), which is why we offer it in three sizes:

4. Jojoba Oil May Help Speed Skin Healing

Jojoba oil has a long history of use for minor cuts and scrapes, and is a popular ingredient in natural first aid and blemish products.

However, until recently, we didn’t understand why it helped with skin healing.

Today, studies suggest active plant compounds, including esters, sterols, vitamins, and antioxidants, can help reduce inflammation, promote healthy skin barrier function (the protective outer layer of skin), ease minor pain, and promote faster binding together of skin cells.

5. Jojoba Oil is Incredible for Hair Oiling

Hail oiling is an ancient beauty secret practiced across cultures to improve the look, texture, feel, and thickness of the hair while promoting a healthy scalp.

Non-greasy jojoba oil is perfect for hair oiling, providing just the right amount of moisture without weighing down your hair.

Plus, its antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties make it extra beneficial for the scalp.

What’s the best jojoba oil for your hair type?

Although 100% pure jojoba oil will benefit all hair types, jojoba oil blends can be helpful for specific hair types.

For example, for oiling dry or damaged hair and/or scalp, we recommend Desert Essence Organic Jojoba, Coconut, And Coffee Oil.

Related reading: The Hair Oil Trend You Need to Try Today

6. Jojoba Oil May Help Reduce Breakouts

Jojoba oil offers multifaceted benefits for blemish-prone skin, including:

  • It has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
  • It helps balance sebum production to reduce oiliness
  • It acts as a gentle, non-comedogenic moisturizer
  • It may help speed the healing of blemishes
  • It promotes skin barrier function and healing

Even if you think you shouldn’t use oil on your face, remember jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax and won’t clog your pores like other plant- or mineral oils.

You can use it as a daily moisturizer, a spot-treatment, or as an oil cleanser—alone or combined with other oils appropriate for breakouts.

As with all natural products, it can take some time for your skin to adjust, so give it a few weeks for best results.

7. Jojoba Oil Promotes Skin Barrier Function 

The term “skin barrier” refers to the outer layer of skin, known as the epidermis, and its network of skin cells and vast array of beneficial flora (microbes, bacteria, etc.).

A healthy skin barrier protects the inner layers of the skin and the body, keeping unwanted pathogens, bacteria, and other foreign invaders out.

Regular moisturizing is considered essential for protecting skin barrier function from dryness, which can lead to cracking and skin barrier damage.

Research suggests jojoba esters (active plant compounds in jojoba) are effective for promoting healthy skin barrier function and helping repair damaged skin.

Apply daily for best results.

Related reading: What Is A Damaged Skin Barrier And How Do You Fix It?

8. Jojoba Oil Can Help Soothe Sunburn

Some desert plants and extracts, like aloe and jojoba oil, have inherent sun protective and/or sunburn soothing properties.

Research suggests jojoba’s antioxidant, analgesic, and skin-barrier supportive properties can help soothe and heal sunburn.

Jojoba oil was also traditionally used as a sun protectant, likely due to its emolient properties, which create a protective barrier on the skin. 

Although limited research suggests jojoba may increase the effectiveness of proven SPF ingredients, it has not been shown effective as an SPF sunscreen. It should not be considered a substitute for an approved SPF sunscreen.

9. Jojoba Oil is Hypoallergenic (For Most People)

Jojoba oil is incredibly gentle and safe for nearly all skin types. 

Even though it comes from the jojoba “nut”, the nut is technically a seed, and is therefore generally safe for people with nut allergies (check with your healthcare practitioner before using jojoba oil if you have nut or seed allergies).

Its very low incidence of allergic reactions makes it a naturally hypoallergenic ingredient. That being said, make sure you do a test patch on your skin first.)

10. Jojoba Oil is Affordable

Despite its long list of benefits and exotic natural origins, jojoba oil is one of the more affordable clean beauty products.

For example, Desert Essence offers two sustainably-sourced 100% pure jojoba oils (organic and sustainably-grown) in three sizes, ranging from just over $10.00 to $26.00.

Plus, a little goes a long way, and you can use it from head to toe: hair, scalp, face, body, lips, cuticles, heels, as a makeup remover, and more! 

Just 3-4 drops is all you need for facial moisturizing, and more is less for body and hair.

How to Use Jojoba Oil for Skin

As you just learned, jojoba oil is appropriate for all skin types and can be used directly on skin or in lotions, creams, lip balms, or body butters.

Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate jojoba oil into your skincare routine:

  • Makeup remover: Add a few drops of jojoba oil to a cotton ball and wipe over your eyes and face to remove makeup while moisturizing your skin
  • Post-bath moisturizer: Apply jojoba to freshly washed skin to help seal in moisture without a greasy residue
  • Lotion booster: Make your lotion last longer by mixing it with a few drops of jojoba oil
  • Facial cleanser: Make your own oil cleanser by massaging jojoba oil on your face and then rinsing your skin clean with water
  • Lip conditioner: Apply a drop of jojoba oil for soft and flake-free lips
  • Shaving prep: Use jojoba oil anywhere you shave to help prevent razor burn
  • Cuticle treatment: Rub jojoba oil onto your cuticles to keep your nails looking their best
  • Foot moisturizer: Either massage jojoba oil onto your feet for a relaxing treatment or add it to your favorite lotion or foot cream for extra hydration
  • After-sun lotion: Soothe red, irritated skin by gently applying jojoba oil to any affected areas as needed

Shop Desert Essence jojoba oil and skincare products.

How to Use Jojoba Oil For Hair

Jojoba oil is also a perfect remedy for dry, lackluster hair and can help moisturize your scalp. 

Here are just a few ways jojoba oil can be used to revitalize your hair:

  • Deep conditioning treatment: Apply a quarter-size amount of jojoba oil to wet hair and allow it to set for 5–10 minutes. Then, shampoo your hair as usual for silky, touchable strands
  • Scalp massage: Massage jojoba oil onto the scalp before shampooing your hair to help relieve dryness and prevent dandruff
  • Anti-dryness solution: Add jojoba oil to your hair conditioner to help with dryness, breakage, and split ends

At Desert Essence, our hair care line features a wide range of products made with jojoba oil, including shampoos, conditioners, masks, primers, and more. 

Browse our complete hair care collection.

What Makes The Desert Essence Jojoba Oil Collection Different?

We were the first company to bring bottled jojoba oil to the United States (for real!), but we know we’re not the only jojoba oil brand anymore.

So, what sets our jojoba oil apart? Its origins and quality.

All our jojoba is sustainably grown by family-owned farms on the sun-soaked, golden sand dunes of Western Peru using organic and sustainable practices. 

These practices translate to the farm workers, who receive fair wages, financial assistance in times of need, and free breakfast and lunch on the farm every day. 

Our jojoba oil is cold-pressed through a 4-step filtration process, resulting in a pure golden oil free from additives, preservatives, petroleum products, gluten, or harmful chemical residues.

We’re also a certified B-Corp, Leaping Bunny certified, and offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee on every bottle.

Ready To Get Started With Jojoba Oil For Skin & Hair?

Here’s a list of products to try:

Discover the multitasking magic of jojoba for yourself! Shop our complete jojoba oil collection here.

References Mentioned in This Article:

  • “Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity”. Polymers.
  • “Skin barrier protection with jojoba esters”. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Volume 68, Issue 4, AB37.
  • “Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study”. J Ethnopharmacol. 
  • “Evaluation of Barrier Protection Properties of Jojoba Esters”. SOFW Journal.
  • “Potential Test of Jojoba Oil-Based Sunscreen in Lotion Preparations”. International Journal of Health and Pharmaceutical (IJHP).
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