Jojoba Oil is the clear liquid extracted from the seed of a Simmondsia guajava plant, which is indigenous to northern Arizona, northern California, and southwestern Mexico. The jojoba oil consists of about 50% of the jojoba fruit's dry weight. It is derived from the seeds of this plant. The plant is cultivated throughout the world.
Traditionally, jojoba oil has been used for skin care in native Americans. The seeds were dried and rubbed on the skin. Jojoba seeds have long been used by the native peoples of Arizona and California as an anti-inflammatory agent and to soothe burns. This same agent is also believed to help with a variety of other health problems.
Skin Care and Hair Care
One important characteristic of jojoba oil that makes it useful for use in skin care and hair care is its relatively short shelf life. By nature, these seeds are fairly delicate, so the drying and pressing process that removes the oil from the seeds takes quite a while. When they reach that point in storage, they are quickly lost. A few drops will keep well over a month at room temperature. It's difficult to store more than a few drops, though, because they lose their fragrance quickly.
If you prefer to use a product that won't lose its usefulness within a few months of purchase, jojoba oil makes a good alternative. In addition, it does not have any animal or synthetic chemicals added to it. Jojoba oil is an all-natural ingredient. It can be used in all kinds of skin and hair care products, as well as body lotions, face creams and even massage oils. Jojoba is also popular in making soap and shampoos, because of its lathering qualities.
When purchasing jojoba oil, make sure to look for a water-based carrier oil. An oil that is water-based doesn't evaporate as quickly and does not attract an extra layer of moisture to the skin. Water-based carriers are better for use during the summer when the heat can strip your skin of its natural moisture. Cold carrier oil, like jojoba, works best for wintertime use. If you choose to use a carrier oil, remember to use it sparingly to start with, to allow the jojoba oil to work on repairing damaged skin cells.
Jojoba oil can be used for its soothing qualities or for the treatment of dermatitis and psoriasis. It can also be used for its healing properties. In fact, it has been known to treat everything from cold sores to head lice. As you can see, jojoba oil isn't just for oily scalps anymore. It's versatile and useful in so many ways.