Jojoba Oil

Derived from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, jojoba oil is rich in liquid wax ester. This oil is highly stable and viscous. The benefits of jojoba oil are many. It is therefore an important ingredient in many cosmetics for skin and hair care.

Jojoba Oil

The jojoba shrub grows in abundance in the deserts of southwestern U.S. and Mexico as well as Australia, South America and Israel. The stickly transparent yellow jojoba oil has a high flash and fire point. This oil is biodegradable and non-toxic in it's pure form. While it's uses have largely been cosmetic, efforts are underway to harness it's benefits to other areas. Today jojoba oil is an expensive component of many cosmetics and hair care products.

In addition, it's viscocity makes it a good choice over petroleum oil as a high-pressure lubricant. On account of it's zero cholesterol and triglyceride content, the use of jojoba oil for consumption is considered. Jojoba oil is used to treat many skin disorders too. Jojoba oil has been used to treat cuts, bruises and sores for centuries. Jojoba oil is a good choice as a base oil because it does not need to be refrigerated and does not go rancid. It serves as a natural lubrication for dry skin and is non-greasy. Other proposed uses include candles, plasticizers, detergents, fire retardents, transformer oil and the leather industry.

Benefit Jojoba Oil

Benefits of jojoba oil are many:

• Penetrates skin and hair follices rapidly to reduce water loss
  
• Reduce wrinkles and stretch marks
  
• Cleans clogged pores and restores skin's natural pH balance
  
• Lighten skin marks and scars
  
• Pure jojoba oil is hypoallergenic
  
• Forms a good base for shampoos, conditioners and suntan lotions
  
• Used to treat eye and throat infections

Jojoba oil is a natural moisturizer and conditioner for the hair since it's structure is similar to the natural oil produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp. Regular application of jojoba oil products can go a long way in tackling tangles, split ends and dry hair. A light coating of jojoba oil on the hair keeps it shiny and glossy. Jojoba oil penetrates the hair shaft to loosen and dissolve sebum build-up. Thus the scalp and hair follicles are cleansed and function normally. This can arrest hair fall.

Useful in treating acne, eczema and other skin disorders, Jojoba is also rich in certain proteins and minerals that are known to support balanced brain and pituitary functioning. Natural jojoba oil forms a thin non-greasy lipoid layer on the skin and helps soften it. Use it to fight fine lines and skin roughness. In fact jojoba oil works well for women with acne too. It helps reinforce the epidermis and heals flareups. A mild massage of jojoba oil can reduce epidermal water loss and keep the skin plump and healthy. In this way, you can keep wrinkles at bay.

Since it blends well with the natural sebum of the skin, jojoba oil may be effective in curbing over production of sebum - a condition that occurs in oily skins that are prone to acne. Thus it balances the sebum levels in the skin. The anti-bacterial properties inhibit growth of acne-causing bacteria. Jojoba oil is often used as a massage oil since it gently unclogs blocked pores and lifts off grime and imbedded impurities. In such cases it is blended with grape seed oil or almond oil. It's antioxidant benefits have made jojoba oil a popular bath oil too. Prepare a herbal oil blend with ¾ cup jojoba oil, ½ tsp each of rose, lavender and geranium oils. Mix these oils together and stored in a tightly sealed bottle in a cool place.