Unique properties of jojoba oil and recommendations for its use
Jojoba oil, whose properties and uses are varied due to its rich composition, is used for home beauty recipes. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) is an evergreen shrub that grows in the deserts of North America, Mexico, and the California coast. The oil is extracted from its fruits by pressing, and then added to creams, masks, lipsticks, perfumes and hair products. It can also be purchased neat from drug stores or beauty stores.
Oil composition and properties
- Vitamin E is essential for the skin. It is considered a powerful natural antioxidant, that is, it protects epidermal cells from the harmful effects of free radicals. These radicals are found in polluted air, toxic soaps and cosmetics, food and water. They enter into chemical reactions with lipids, which leads to premature aging and cell destruction. Vitamin E inhibits these reactions and protects cellular structures.
- Unsaturated fatty acids (oleic, eicosene, docosahexasenoic) are necessary for dry skin. They participate in lipid metabolism and saturate cells with essential nutrients. They are also able to retain moisture in the skin and prevent it from evaporating. Due to the large amount of oleic acid, the oil is well absorbed and can be used as a base in complex cosmetic preparations.
- Collagen is a constituent involved in tissue regeneration. This protein creates a kind of skeleton - the structure of the skin. Due to collagen, jojoba oil's properties and uses are not limited to skin hydration. It is used in cosmetology against wrinkles and stretch marks, including for prophylactic purposes.
The oil can be applied to the skin and hair on its own or in combination with other ingredients. It is included in many cosmetic preparations - creams, ointments, emulsions, hair care products.
You can find oils from different manufacturers. If the packaging indicates that the product is natural, there is no difference between them.
Ways to use jojoba oil
Cosmetic jojoba oil is a simple beauty product that is easy to use at home. It can be found in pharmacies or perfume stores. The bottle contains only natural oil, without dyes and fragrances.
Quality oil has an unlimited shelf life. It can be stored at room temperature and used as needed.
For skin
Jojoba oil is usually not used on the face in its pure form, because it is quite oily. It is mixed with lighter vegetable oils (grape, peach or almond). An exception may be very dry skin that needs intense hydration.
Due to the pronounced antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect, cosmetologists advise using jojoba oil for acne:
- First, the skin is cleansed with a regular lotion or gel for washing.You can use a sugar or sea salt scrub.
- The oil is rubbed into the skin with massage movements, pressing on the problem areas.
- You can cover your face with a towel and wait until the product is absorbed.
- Excess oil must be washed off with water.
For sensitive skin prone to acne, make a homemade cleanser. Half a glass of warm milk is combined with 20 ml of jojoba oil and a few drops of other soothing oils (bergamot, sandalwood). The mixture is rubbed onto the face with a cotton pad.
Jojoba lip oil protects lips from drying out and harmful UV rays at any time of the year. There are several simple recipes based on this ingredient:
- Combine 1 spoon of oil with half a spoon of sugar and use it as a scrub. The method is recommended to remove flaking from chapped lips.
- In its pure form, the oil is applied to the lips for prevention. It will be especially useful during sunburn or during the cold season. It also serves as an excellent makeup base.
Jojoba oil is useful to combine with other vegetable oils and vitamins in capsules.
It is also helpful to apply jojoba oil for stretch marks. It is well absorbed into the skin and stimulates cell regeneration processes, which makes stretch marks less noticeable. You need to understand that this problem is not just a cosmetic defect, but a kind of scars on the skin, so it is impossible to completely remove them. Cosmetics can reduce the depth of stretch marks and repair fresh damage, but they will be ineffective against old defects. The best way to keep skin clear is through prevention, which is why many women use jojoba oil during pregnancy. The active ingredients moisturize the skin, and the collagen makes it more elastic, so stretch marks do not appear.
For hair and nails
Jojoba oil is found in many shampoos, balms, and conditioners. There are several ways to use it in its pure form:
- A few drops of oil are added to a balm or hair mask, spread the mixture onto clean, damp hair and leave for 10-10 minutes.
- For very dry hair, it can be used daily. The oil is applied to the comb and the curls are combed. The method works well for owners of long, unruly hair.
- Jojoba oil can be used alone as a mask. It needs to be heated in a water bath, rubbed into the roots of the hair with your fingers, and distribute the rest with a comb along the entire length. After an hour, the hair must be washed with shampoo, otherwise it will remain oily sheen.
Jojoba oil for eyelashes is used so that they grow faster and do not fall out. To do this, you need to use a clean mascara brush and distribute the oil from the middle to the tips of the lashes. Do not apply it to the roots, otherwise it can get into the eyes, create a greasy film and cause irritation. After 20-30 minutes, residues that have not been absorbed are removed with a cotton pad.
It is worth choosing natural cosmetics with added oils, without dyes and allergens.
Cosmetologists recommend using jojoba oil for eyebrows. Thick, natural eyebrows are all the rage, but cosmetics, coloring products and environmental factors make them rare and colorless. The oil restores the hair structure, making it stronger and longer. It can be applied at night either alone or mixed with other vegetable oils and vitamins.
Jojoba oil for nails is an easy and affordable way to keep them strong. Nails become brittle due to a lack of moisture, vitamins and minerals, varnishes and the effects of low or high temperatures. The oil is absorbed into the nail plate and moisturizes it, while vitamins help to strengthen it. It is rubbed into the nails and cuticles with massage movements, after which contact with detergents, washing powder and other aggressive media should be avoided.If you need to do household chores, you can wear rubber gloves.
It is best to keep a bottle of jojoba oil in the bathroom. So it will be possible to use it after each hand wash, which will significantly speed up the process of nail restoration.
Contraindications and side effects
Jojoba essential oil has no contraindications and no side effects. An individual sensitivity test must be performed before the first use. A small amount of oil is applied to the forearm skin and the skin's reaction is monitored. Redness, rash, itching, and swelling indicate an allergic reaction.
Store the oil in a glass container at room temperature. Its shelf life is unlimited.
The wide range of properties of jojoba oil and its use are justified by its complex chemical composition. Manufacturers add it to well-known skin and hair care products, as well as to decorative cosmetics. The oil can also be purchased in its pure form and used for making homemade masks and creams based on it. It does not contain dyes or fragrances and is suitable for all skin types. It can also help reduce the depth of wrinkles and stretch marks, get rid of acne, restore healthy look and shine to hair.