Description
Jojoba is a grey-green desert shrub native to the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, California and north-west Mexico, and is now farmed in Argentina, Israel, Peru and elsewhere. Only the female plants bear seed. In summer the capsules dry and split, and the dark brown seeds are gathered, cleaned and cold-pressed. The seeds hold about half their weight in jojoba, which is made mostly of liquid wax esters rather than the triglycerides found in other seed oils. That structure makes it very stable, and it feels silky rather than greasy.
Details
| Botanical name | Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sonoran Desert; Argentina |
| Part used | Seed |
| Extraction | Cold-pressed |
| Texture | Silky, non-greasy |
| Size | 3.4oz (100ml) |
| Ingredients | 100% Simmondsia chinensis seed oil |
Why no other oil replaces it: jojoba’s wax-ester structure is almost unknown elsewhere in the plant world, and plantations take several years to reach full yield.
How to use
- Face: press 2 to 3 drops into clean skin, morning or evening.
- Hair: smooth a few drops through the lengths, or massage into the scalp before washing.
- Blends: use as a stable base for essential oils and perfume oils.
Patch test on the inner arm before first use. Keep away from the eyes. Store somewhere cool and dark with the cap closed.
FAQs
Is jojoba an oil or a wax?
Strictly it is a liquid wax. It is made of wax esters, not the triglycerides found in most plant oils.
Will it go rancid?
It is very stable. Keep it cool and dark with the cap closed.
Can I mix essential oils into it?
Yes. Its stability and light scent make it a common base for diluting essential oils.
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