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Jojoba Oil
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare
☑ Handmade Soap (superfat; low SAP)
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient
Jojoba oil is not a true oil but a liquid wax — long-chain esters pressed from the seeds of the desert shrub Simmondsia chinensis — whose structure closely resembles the wax esters in human sebum. This makes it uniquely skin-compatible: it spreads and absorbs like sebum, does not feel greasy, and is exceptionally stable against rancidity. Dermatological reviews document its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activity [1]; jojoba liquid wax accelerated wound closure in a laboratory study [2]; and a clay–jojoba facial mask reduced lesions in mild acne in an observational study [3]. With a comedogenic rating of about 2 and compatibility with every skin type, jojoba is ORY®‘s default carrier for facial oils, scalp treatments, botanical infusions, and cosmetics — and a valuable superfat in soap, where its low saponification value leaves most of it unsaponified.
What is Jojoba Oil made of?
Jojoba oil is cold-pressed from the seeds (about 50% oil by weight) and optionally refined. Composition [1]:
- Wax esters (~97%): Eicosenoic (C20:1) and docosenoic (C22:1) acids esterified with eicosenol and docosenol — not triglycerides.
- Free sterols, tocopherols, and simmondsin traces: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory minors.
- Comedogenic rating ~2; shelf life 5+ years (near-immune to rancidity).
- Soap data: SAP ~0.069 g NaOH/g (very low — mostly unsaponified); use 2–5% as a conditioning superfat.
- Sebum-mimetic: Human sebum is ~25% wax esters; jojoba is the closest plant analogue.
What skin type is best suited for Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba suits all seven ORY® skin types and is the best all-round facial carrier:
- Oily: Sebum-like; helps normalize oil production without greasiness.
- Acne-prone: Low comedogenicity; anti-inflammatory; observational acne improvement [3].
- Combination: Balances both zones.
- Normal: Everyday facial oil and infusion base.
- Dry: Softening; blend with richer oils for more occlusion.
- Mature: Antioxidant, wound-healing support [2]; silky feel.
- Sensitive: Hypoallergenic, non-irritating; ideal Build-Your-Own base.
What hair type is best suited for Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba is the classic scalp oil and lightweight hair conditioner:
- Dry or damaged: Jojoba coats and softens the fiber, reducing moisture loss and mechanical breakage.
- Curly and coily: Sealing oil over water-based leave-ins (LOC/LCO method).
- Color-treated or chemically processed: Replenishes lipids stripped by chemical services.
- Straight and wavy: Light enough for fine and straight hair; a few drops add shine.
- Oily scalp: Lengths and ends only.
- Sensitive scalp: Neutral carrier for scalp actives; patch test.
- Dandruff-prone, mature or thinning: Carrier for rosemary, peppermint, or tea tree scalp treatments.
What are the benefits of Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba’s benefits are supported by dermatological review and laboratory/clinical studies [1–3]:
- Sebum-mimetic moisturization: Absorbs like natural skin lipids; non-greasy.
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces redness and irritation [1].
- Wound-healing support: Accelerated keratinocyte and fibroblast migration in vitro [2].
- Acne support: Reduced lesions in an observational clay-mask study [3].
- Antioxidant and stability: Tocopherols; near-indefinite shelf life.
- Antimicrobial support: Mild activity [1].
- Scalp balance: Dissolves sebum buildup; conditions without clogging.
- Infusion and cosmetics base: Stable carrier for botanicals, essential oils, and pigments.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Jojoba serves all four ORY® lines and is the preferred base for customer-selected infusions.
Pros and cons of Jojoba Oil
Pros
Cons
- Sebum-like, non-greasy: All skin types.
- Exceptionally stable: No rancidity.
- Low comedogenicity: Acne-friendly.
- Ideal carrier: Infusions, essential oils, actives.
- Sustainable: Drought-tolerant desert crop.
- Cost: Higher than almond or sunflower.
- Limited occlusion: Very dry skin needs richer partners.
- Little lather or hardness in soap: Superfat role only.
- Solidifies below ~10 °C: Harmless; warm to liquefy.
- Minimal essential fatty acids: Pair with linoleic-rich oils for barrier lipids.
What is the best application of Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba is the everyday carrier:
- Facial oil: Alone or as the base for bakuchiol, botanical infusions, and essential oils.
- Cleansing oil: Dissolves makeup and sunscreen.
- Scalp oil: Pre-shampoo with rosemary and peppermint.
- Hair serum: 2–3 drops on ends.
- Soap superfat: 2–5%.
- Cosmetics: Lip oil; foundation emollient.
Peer-reviewed references
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Ghassemi MR, Kazerouni A, Rafeie E, Jalali N. Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review. Giornale Italiano di Dermatologia e Venereologia. 2013;148(6):687–691.
- Ranzato E, Martinotti S, Burlando B. Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2011;134(2):443–449.
- Meier L, Stange R, Michalsen A, Uehleke B. Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne – results of a prospective, observational pilot study. Forschende Komplementärmedizin. 2012;19(2):75–79.
- Vaughn AR, Clark AK, Sivamani RK, Shi VY. Natural oils for skin-barrier repair: ancient compounds now backed by modern science. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2018;19(1):103–117.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about jojoba oil as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including eczema, acne, wounds, dandruff, hair loss, or any other condition. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Allergy to this oil is uncommon, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
