Jojoba Oil - DIY Tips

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Reader Vidhya had asked for some tips on how to use Jojoba oil.

In the world of herbal ingredients, Jojoba oil is the newest entrant and also famous as "liquid gold" for the skin. Although known as oil – this is actually liquid wax and its composition is very similar to sebum, the oil produced by our skin cells.  Because of this unique similarity, Jojoba has found uses in products meant for both oily and dry skin.

Dry Skin

It is applied directly to the skin to soften the skin, to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks, to lighten and help heal scars, and to promote healthy scalp and hair.

When sebum production decreases due to age, pollutants, or environmental stresses, jojoba oil can be used to replace sebum oil.

DIY Tip: Add 3 -4  drops of jojoba oil to your rose water (50 ml) mister. Use to mist face during the day. This increases the hydrating capacity of the mist and provides regular moisturisation without being too oily. You can even add a few drops of glycerin. This is my favorite way of using this for my skin.

You can even add this to your day lotion to make a thicker cream for night. Sometimes I add a few drops of this to some light lotion like Biotique Morning Nectar or Himani Boroplus when I want to up its hydrating power (this is something I do very often, I tend to customize products with essential oils to suit me better)

Oily skin

When applied to the skin, jojoba oil has an amazing ability to regulate the level of sebum produced, resulting in healthy skin.

While this has not been scientifically proven it is possible that our body reacts to the presence of jojoba oil by adjusting its own production of sebum at a higher or lower rate as needed.

In any case Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic and helps cleanse pores, also it is much lighter and less “oily” than other oils making it a good option for oily skin.

DIY Tip: Massage a few drops of Jojoba oil on the face and neck for 10 minutes. Wash off excess with a mild soap. If you want you can even mix this with a drop of lemon juice – for antibacterial effect.

P. S. Jojoba oil is known to cause purging in some people as blocked pores open up and the toxins are thrown out. This is generally just temporary and can be controlled by using acne medication. It stops once the skin has been cleansed.

Hair care

Jojoba oil can accumulate around hair roots, thereby conditioning hair and preventing it from becoming brittle and dull. If there is too much sebum buildup on the scalp, it dissolves and removes the sebum, leaving the hair clean.

 Jojoba oil as a solubilizing agent can also remove sticky buildup on hair from hair preparations as well as airborne particulates deposited on the hair.

DIY Tip: Since Jojoba oil is a little expensive I use coconut oil (parachute) as my base. I add 5-6 drops of jojoba oil to a spoonful of Coconut. I also add a few drops of Aromamagic’s Hair fall Essential oil misture (has Rosemary and Patchouli) and apply and leave it overnight.

Other DIYs

1.      Make up remover: add a few drops on wet cotton ball and use to cleanse face.

2.      As a leave-in condition. Use as you would use Livon or any other hair serum

Purchase: Aromamagic has jojoba oil in its range – however it is a little expensive. Frankly I don’t know the reason for this – it could be that this oil has been extracted without the use of heat or chemicals thereby retaining nutrients. I am not sure though, this is just my analysis for the price. I haven’t tried it as well.

There was a brand ESP – They had a large range of oils, like coconut milk oil, almond oil. I got a 150ml bottle of jojoba oil pretty cheap at about 250 Rs. I cannot find this brand here, though, anymore. This oil is also easily available at all ayurvedic stores.