Long gone are the days when oils were the preserve of the cooking aisles of our local supermarkets and food shops. Now, oils extracted from all manner of plants and trees are available as beauty products that promise to make our hair more manageable and glossy and our skin breakout-free and youthful.
So, should we take the hype seriously? Are these oils worth the money we’ve paid for them? We think so, and there’s one oil in particular that stands out, especially if we’re looking for something to tame our dry hair – jojoba oil. Dry hair can be annoying and unmanageable and therefore needs certain products that will help to both nourish and protect it and make it look less parched and frizzy.
But what exactly is jojoba oil, what does it do and how does it work? We love jojoba oil here at Health Natural, so we decided to discover exactly how this wonder oil works so well for dry, stressed, or over-styled hair. And the results might surprise you – here’s what we found out…
What is Jojoba Oil?
The jojoba, or Simmondsia chinensis plant, is technically a shrub and it’s the seeds that are responsible for the nutrient rich jojoba oil. In fact, around half of each jojoba seed is oil, and most jojoba oil is extracted using a cold pressing method. This means that the seeds are placed under pressure and mechanically pressed to extract the oil, without the application of heat that could negatively affect the valuable nutrients contained within each seed. The resulting oil is technically a wax, but has the appearance and consistency of an oil and is yellow-gold in colour.
Perhaps the real beauty of jojoba oil comes from where it grows. This hardy plant is native to the desert landscapes of the southwestern states of the US including Arizona and southern California as well as Mexico, where it’s evolved to survive the harsh, arid, and hot climates common to these environments.
If a small, unassuming shrub can positively thrive in these conditions, imagine what it can do for dry hair! Plus of course, the seed of any plant, from grass to mighty oak trees, is packed with nutrients that promote healthy growth, so it makes sense to use a seed oil such as jojoba on our hair if it’s in need of a little repair and encouragement to lay flat…
What Are the Benefits of Jojoba Oil for My Hair?
Vitamin E, an antioxidant that is critical for healthy hair, as well as the B vitamins, vitamin C, copper, and zinc—all significant micronutrients for healthy hair—are all abundant in jojoba oil. Jojoba oil does not yet appear to aid in the promotion of hair growth. In fact, a 2014 study discovered that when it came to promoting the growth of new hair, it wasn’t as effective as peppermint oil.
However, those who are deficient in certain vitamins and minerals including copper may notice that their hair is prone to breaking and falling. Adding an oil to the hair that’s rich in these minerals could therefore help to make the hair less likely to break or fall out.
The main benefit of jojoba oil for the hair however, is that it acts as a moisturiser. As well as vitamins and minerals, it also contains essential fatty acids that help to both improve the condition of dry hair and prevent against future dryness. Jojoba oil also helps to protect against brittleness, breakage, and split ends and can transform dry, wiry hair into soft, glossy locks that are less prone to breakage.
But don’t just take out word for it. A robust scientific review in 2013 confirms that jojoba oil is indeed a proven hair moisturizer.
Jojoba oil can also act as a ‘microemulsion’ when added to hair care products. This means that it helps to ‘carry’ the active ingredients in shampoos and conditioners, helping to deliver them to where they’re needed.
What Hair Types Can Benefit from Jojoba Oil?
Dry hair may be the type of hair that may benefit the most from a jojoba oil treatment. As we discovered above, jojoba oil contains the nutrients needed to help hair feel strong, manageable, less dry, and look silky, glossy, and better conditioned.
If you have very oily hair, it may be best to avoid using anything oil-based to style your hair. Jojoba oil can still be used as a nourishing treatment for your oily hair, use it on a day when you’re not going out, or use it as an occasional overnight treatment.
Most people can tolerate jojoba oil applied directly to their scalp, however, some with super sensitive skin may experience some itching or irritation. If you have very sensitive skin, apply a small drop to the inside of your elbow and wait a few moments to see if you have any reaction. If you do, wash away the oil and refrain from using it.
How Do I Use Jojoba Oil on My Hair?
There’s no right or wrong way to use jojoba oil on your hair. The most common way is to use jojoba oil directly on the hair to instantly improve its condition and appearance and to work on the hair over time to prevent future dryness.
Apply one to two drops, massaging them into your scalp and towel-dried hair, depending on the thickness of your hair. For a deeper treatment, add 3-4 drops to damp hair before bed and sleep with your hair wrapped in a towel before shampooing and conditioning the following morning.
You can also buy shampoos, conditioners, and hair masks that contain jojoba oil that can be used on a daily basis.
The best quality cold pressed jojoba oil is also very stable and unlike some other oils has a longer shelf life as it won’t turn rancid when left on the bathroom shelf for a few months. You can tell when an oil has gone rancid as it will develop an unpleasant smell (often likened to the smell of melting crayons, if you can imagine that) and may go a little cloudy. You can help to prevent rancidity by keeping your bottle in its cardboard box out of direct sunlight.
Where Can I Buy Good Quality Jojoba Oil?
Go for 100% organic, cold-pressed, unrefined versions for optimal benefits. These are the purest forms of jojoba oil and won’t contain any other ingredients that may irritate your scalp.
Organic Jojoba Oil O2 from facetheory also contains vitamin E for an extra nutrient boost. It’s made here in the UK, is cruelty free and suitable for vegans, and is free from artificial preservatives.
Fushi is a skincare brand inspired by the ancient Indian medicinal practice of Ayurveda and specialises in high quality, organic, cold pressed plant oils. Their Organic Jojoba Oil is gentle enough for use on the driest and most brittle of hair types.
Jojoba oil is also gentle enough to be used on the face and is non-comedogenic, meaning that it won’t block the pores like some oils can. Used on the skin, it acts as a humectant, a moisturising agent that attracts water to the surface of the skin, helping to keep it hydrated and healthy. So, if you do invest in a high quality bottle of jojoba oil, you can get the double the benefit if you use it on your hair and your skin. What a treat!
