Ode to Jojoba Oil

My friend Robyn introduced me to jojoba oil two years ago.

I owe her big time.

I feel like I should send her a check in the mail.

Prior to discovering jojoba oil (a time period now known as "BJ" - before jojoba), i had been using very expensive face moisturizers from Dr. Hauschka. Now Dr. Hauschka is a brand I highly respect, don't get me wrong. Dr. Hauschka is a holistic skin-care brand from Germany. They own and maintain their own certified Biodynamic garden, they financiallly support initiatives in developing parts of the world to encourage Biodynamic farming and economic self-sufficiency, and they use eco packaging and natural botanical preservatives. They are pioneers and have created some of the purest, most effective products that I have ever used.

Enter jojoba...

What I love about jojoba is its simplicity. It's a single ingredient, it's cheap, it's grown in this country (Sonoran Desert of Southern California) and it is an incredibly effective moisturizer. No, it's magically effective. The magic lies in the fact that its chemical structure is more like sebum (natural skin oil) than traditional vegetable oils. Rather than being an oil, it's actually a polyunsaturated liquid wax. I won't go into the details of the carbon atoms, esters and straight chain alcohols, but suffice it to say that a "wax" of this type is difficult to synthesize. This is the real thing and its structure is so complex that it's near impossible to imitate, try as the cosmetic companies may.

The oil deeply penetrates and is absorbed quickly by the skin. It dissolves those tiny under-the-skin bumps over time and has an almost collagen-like plumping effect. I found through research that the latter is most likely due to the high percentage of unsaponifiables. Unsaponifiables promote and increase dermal elastin.

This is what I do for best results:

1) Soak a wash rag in warm water and wring. Apply to face for 15 seconds.
2) Cleanse.
3) Finish with a compress as in step 1. Don't dry with a towel.
4) Apply jojoba oil to warm, moist skin.

Jojoba Oil became known to the West by Spanish missionaries. These missionaries saw the successful use of the oil by Native Americans for cosmetic, medical, and nutritional purposes. Not surprising as Jojoba contains vitamins E and B-complex, silicon, chromium, copper, zinc, and is rich in iodine. The vitamin E gives the oil a very long (almost indefinite) shelf life. Again, very different from other plant-based oils which are more volatile.

In time period BJ, I was using Jurlique and Hauschka products that range between $36-$42. I get organic jojoba oil in bulk at Rainbow Grocery for $5 for 4 ounces. You can find jojoba oil in any natural foods store like Whole Foods or Real Foods. Above is a picture of the Desert Essence brand.

Before I end, I must also share with you that jojoba is extremely beneficial for hair and scalp. Scientists have identified the cause of dandruff, hair loss and scalp disorders to be caused by deposits of sebum collecting and solidifying around hair follicles obstructing growth which can eventually kill the follicle. Jojoba penetrates down to the scalp and hair shaft, and readily loosens and dissolves this hardened build-up. It is also an excellent soil-dissolving agent, which can remove sticky build-up on the hair from many modern hair preparations. By the same token, it's great for pimples. Zaps 'em overnight.

Enjoy and let me know if you end up loving jojoba as much as I do!

Comments

[Ruth]

The simplicity of this is brilliant! I'm trying very hard to streamline beauty products, and this is exactly what I've been looking for.

[johanna]

yes, jojoba is MAGIC. and it is mostly resistant to rancidity. however, processing methods, light, heat, and plastic packaging (plastic absorbs into everything!) still do affect it. consequently, i'd be careful with store products, unless you really know how they are produced. the BEST source that i have researched for jojoba is directly from Jojoba Farms in San Luis Obispo, CA from the original people who advocated cold pressing and glass colored bottles for their jojoba oil (although they do sell in plastic too). these guys are the REAL DEAL! they used to sell the oil through all the farmers markets, but recently the husband Gary Tremper died and now it's only sold direct to wholesalers and direct to the public from the farm if you call/ write...Penny Tremper, the owner/farmer will even be answering the phone most of the time...nice!! their address is: Penny Tremper c/o Jojoba Farms, PO Box 1761, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406. tel# 805-544-3505. happy beautifying..

[johanna]

just wanted to make acorrection on my previous post: the certified organic farm that grows and cold presses the jojoba oil is JOJOBA OBISPO FARMS, not Jojoba Farms...also there is a nice article written by Gary Tremper, the grower, about the jojoba bean, the farm and their methods here: http://www.armchair.com/warp/jojoba1.html
(one cannot buy through this link though--just info)
i swear, i'm not afiliated--LOL!! it's just that i love their product and respect their taking the extra effort to do things right! :-)

[Steve]

Jojoba sounds great. What does everyone reccomend for face wash that is similarly "magic?"

[DesertWhale]

I am fascinated by how jojoba oil is so similar to sebum which our bodies produce. As a result of this, jojoba oil helps regulate your body's oil production, which helps combat acne, dryness, and excessive oiliness. Check out this article: http://desertwhale.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/check-out-proactivs-article-on-jojoba-oil-and-acne/