JOJOBA OIL

What exactly is jojoba oil?

• INCI: Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

• Chemically not a "classic oil" but a liquid wax (approx. 98% wax esters) with few free fatty acids, alcohols, and some vitamin E.PMC

• Its structure resembles human skin sebum → this is why it feels "skin-like," absorbs well, and is generally well-tolerated.Skinsort+1

Main effects on the skin (external)

1. Moisturizing & barrier-supporting

• Jojoba oil forms a thin lipid film on the skin, without feeling as greasy as, for example, pure mineral oil.

• Studies show:

  • TEWL decreases, meaning less water loss through the skin.

  • The hydrolipid barrier is measurably improved over days.Cosmetics Business+2jojoba+2

➡️ Practical use: Very good for dry, sensitive, mature skin, also as an additive in creams or as an "oil over skincare" in the evening.

2. Soothing & anti-inflammatory

• In cell and animal models, jojoba oil or jojoba wax shows anti-inflammatory effects:

  • Reduction of inflammatory mediators (e.g., IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α).

  • Effect comparable to mild anti-inflammatory substances in irritation models.

➡️ Useful for:

• irritated, inflamed, cracked skin

• after shaving, peelings, mild sun exposure

• as a base in skincare for eczema / rosacea predisposition (not as the sole therapy for severe cases, of course).

3. Non-comedogenic & suitable for combination skin / acne

• Jojoba oil is considered non-comedogenic (hardly clogs pores) and is well-suited for sensitive, blemish-prone skin.

• Its similarity to sebum helps to "balance" sebum production – the skin "realizes" that enough lipids are present and often produces less excess sebum.

• In applications with jojoba oil (e.g., masks, serums), an improvement in skin appearance with acne has been described – the evidence is rather small, but plausible.

➡️ Tip for consultation:

• "Also possible for oily/acne-prone skin – but preferably use little and on damp skin."

4. Support for wound healing (minor lesions)

• In vitro and animal studies show:

  • Jojoba wax promotes wound closure of keratinocytes and fibroblasts,

  • stimulates collagen-I synthesis,

  • has antimicrobial/antioxidant effects.

Clinically:

• Rather seen as support for minor abrasions, cracks, irritated skin or as an additive in wound healing ointments – not as a substitute for medical wound therapy for deep, infected or poorly healing wounds.

5. Antioxidant & "protection against environmental stress"

• Contains natural tocopherols (Vitamin E) and other antioxidant components.

• These can somewhat buffer oxidative stress from UV, air pollution, etc.

• Therefore often an ingredient in anti-aging skincare, serums, eye care.

Which skin types is it suitable for?

Well suited for:

• Dry, sensitive, "stressed" skin

• Mature skin (barrier + antioxidant support)

• Combination skin / acne-prone skin (in moderate amounts, preferably in light formulations)

• Scalp care for dryness / flakes (as an oil treatment before washing)

Less suitable or caution:

• Very oily, highly inflamed acne, if someone already "clogs" everything – here rather as a small additive, not as a thick layer of pure oil.