The Holy-Grail Oil That Has Head-to-Toe Benefits

You've probably heard about the benefits of jojoba oil before or have seen it as a featured ingredient in many skincare products. But maybe you've wondered what it is exactly and what makes it such a powerhouse ingredient. Well, first off, let's get to the bottom of this pronunciation. When read phonetically, one may think, "jo-jo-ba." However, jojoba is actually pronounced "ho-ho-ba." Now that we cleared that up, we can get to the best part: Jojoba oil is one of the most versatile oils out there that carries a multitude of benefits.

The oil actually is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba shrub, which is a perennial crop grown in North America. However, don't let the word "oil" fool you. Jojoba oil is actually made up of wax ester, which mimics and is closest to the composition of our own body's sebum. Therefore, because of the molecular structure, jojoba oil has an amazing way of naturally moisturizing our skin as if it was our own natural-producing sebum.

Take a look at the benefits below.

1. It Hydrates and Moisturizes Skin

As mentioned above, jojoba oil is super moisturizing and can be used from head to toe on the face, body, and hair. Given its lightweight properties, you don't need to worry about clogging your pores or any hair follicles. Add this to your skincare regimen to improve skin elasticity, reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and get that "glow."

2. It's Hypoallergenic

Almost everyone can use this ingredient, as it's hypoallergenic. As someone who is a highly sensitive person, this is great news because many beauty brands, especially fragrance ones, are using jojoba oil as the main carrier oil.

3. It Has a Long Shelf Life

Jojoba oil has a long shelf life, which makes it the top candidate for Barb Stegemann, the founder of The 7 Virtues, when she is developing her perfume oils, especially since it blends well with the perfume oils instead of separating. "I personally love that jojoba oil has a much longer shelf life than other oils—five years versus two years—and because of this stability, it won't go rancid like other oils. This is very important to me, as I know scent is a personal treasure, and I want your perfume oil to last," shares Stegemann.

4. It's a Good Carrier Oil for Aromatherapy

"Jojoba oil is odorless and colorless, so it truly is the best carrier oil for essential oils to ensure effective aromatherapy," Stegemann says. "Indirectly, your scent will work better with jojoba because it has no odor and won't mask your perfume oils like other carrier oils might."

5. It's High in Antioxidants

"The benefits seem to be never-ending when you factor in that it is also an antioxidant rich in vitamin E," says Spencer Arnold, co-founder of Bathing Culture. "This means it is able to protect skin from environmental stressors that can negatively impact your skin, like pollution in the air and smoke. The natural forms of vitamin E found in jojoba oil attribute to other healing and soothing properties."

Bathing Culture's Outer Being Face and Body Oil is packed with vitamin E, vitamin C, other essential fatty acids, and amino acids, so it'll help restore and repair skin, lock in moisture, and bring balance to your complexion.

6. It Has Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties

With antioxidants comes anti-inflammatory properties. Arnold says jojoba oil is "extra special due to all of its antis: antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties." Because of this, jojoba oil will help calm down inflammation and balance the skin to soothe any pesky acne.

7. It Keeps Your Scalp and Hair Healthy

If you suffer from dandruff, massaging drops of jojoba oil into your scalp may help soothe dryness while balancing the skin. Think of it as a product that trains your scalp to moisturize and balance sebum, which will prevent future dandruff and flakes from appearing.

It's not just for the scalp, either. Adding jojoba oil to your hair before or after styling will boost shine and resilience. It helps defend your hair against free radicals thanks to its antioxidants. Those antioxidant properties may also influence hair growth and improve fullness.

Next up: This Vegetable Has Surprising Benefits for Your Skin and Hair