Jojoba Oil - advantages and uses
Have you ever heard of carrier oils? Many of us know about it. Of course, because of its magnificent benefits in skincare & haircare. But even if you don’t, let us take this opportunity to explain to you, in brief, all that you need to know about carrier oils.
Carrier oils (also known as base oils) are used to dilute the essential oils so that they can be applied to the skin, hair, and scalp without causing any side effects or irritation. Essential oils are quite strong and may irritate if applied directly. Like essential oils, carrier oils are also used in aromatherapy applications. They offer a wide number of benefits. You will appreciate these oils once you know the treasure of goodness and nutrition they carry for our overall health, be it physical or mental.
In this article, we will talk about one such carrier oil named 'Jojoba Oil'. This oil has multiple uses for the face, hair, scalp, and body. It is used to treat acne, dry skin, and many other skin conditions. This oil has recently gained popularity and many people have started using jojoba oil as a part of their skincare routine. This is pretty obvious owing to the large number of benefits that it offers.
Read on to know everything in detail about jojoba oil.
What is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is obtained from a shrub named “ Simmondsia Chinensis” found in southern Arizona, southern California, and northwestern Mexico. It is extracted from the seeds of this shrub and then used for various purposes including medicine and skincare.
Jojoba oil helps the skin to soak up other substances better when used together with them. This may make jojoba oil a useful addition to many beauty products such as shampoo, lipstick, makeup; cleansing products, body lotions etc.
Also, it can be applied directly to the skin for treating conditions such as acne, psoriasis, sunburn, and chapped skin. It is also used in hair care products as it promotes the growth of hair and reduces hair breakage and hair fall.
Uses and Benefits
It’s moisturizing
Jojoba oil locks your skin with a protective layer, thereby preventing any loss of moisture. This way your skin is always moisturized which in turn prevents conditions such as bacterial infections, acne, and dandruff.
Anti-Aging
As you read above, Jojoba oil is a perfect moisturizer, due to which it can help slow down the appearance of visible signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles.
Non-allergenic
Jojoba oil is non-allergenic and heals your skin. It is often used by people with sensitive skin (including those who suffer from psoriasis and eczema), because of its mild nature. Unlike other oils, jojoba oil is non-irritating. Therefore, an allergic reaction is rare.
Soothes Dry Skin
Being anti-inflammatory in nature, jojoba oil helps to tame chaffing and chapping, reduce redness caused by drying. It also reduces the effects of eczema and rosacea and keeps the skin clear. Also, it contains Vitamin E and B-complex which helps in skin repair.
Treats Acne
Jojoba oil can be very helpful in minimizing acne breakout. It has anti-inflammatory & healing properties, is a natural antimicrobial, and also a good moisturizing agent.
All these properties make jojoba oil a wonderful remedy to help treat your acne could. It not only prevents acne breakouts but also encourages healing for mild acne as well.
Side Effects
Jojoba oil is considered safe when it is directly applied to the skin. However, in some rare cases, it can cause rashes, itching, and other allergic reactions (depending upon the skin type of people). This is very rare though.
Jojoba oil is intended for external use only and should never be taken by mouth (as it is highly unsafe). Doing so may cause severe symptoms such as stomach pain, body aches, restlessness, and so on.
Dosage
The dosage may depend on various factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. However, enough scientific information is not available currently, to determine a proper range of doses for jojoba oil.
You should know that these natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Hence, do not forget to follow the instructions on product labels and always consult your physician/dermatologist before using the product.
Conclusion
Finding an oil that suits your skin can be very challenging sometimes. You would want an oil that will be beneficial to you in every way. That might take time until the right topical oil is found. Jojoba oil has been proven to have positive effects on the skin and helps deal with various skin problems.
Although, results may differ from person to person. If in any case, you find jojoba oil ineffective, you can substitute it with other products such as tea tree oil and argan oil.
Consulting a skincare professional is always a good option. An experienced person may easily help you in finding out the best natural oil suitable for your skin. Good luck!