Jojoba Oil – Buxus chinensis.
Jojoba is not really an oil but a liquid wax because is composed of wax esters; it penetrates quickly and is an extremely
stable, long lasting substance that does not easily deteriorate or turn rancid. Jojoba Oil contains Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6; Vitamin E is rich in Myristic Acid and plant wax which mimics skins collagen. It also has the minerals silicon, chromium, copper and zinc and a very high percentage of iodine, giving Jojoba oil a great power to heal.
The chemical makeup of Jojoba Oil resembles the skins natural oil, ‘sebum’ so whilst its texture appears rich and heavy it is profoundly nurturing to the skin. Unlike moisturizers, which don’t penetrate through the layers of the skin, Jojoba reaches the germinative layer, nourishing and augmenting the health of the skin.
It also contains Myristic Acid which is anti-inflammatory and therefore helpful when mixing a blend for rheumatism and arthritis. It can be used to assist in minimising lines and wrinkles and can help in rejuvenating the skin promoting new cell growth.
It is good for extra dry or mature skin and helps to keep the skin supple. It is a very useful oil for inflamed skin, psoriasis, eczema, and acne and is great for all skin types.
When used as a massage medium, it acts as an emulsifier with the skin’s natural sebum and gently unclogs the pores and lifts grime and imbedded impurities that cause blackheads that contribute to acne. It is suspected that Jojoba oil “tricks” the skin into stopping the production of sebum by mimicking it; this makes it ideal as a massage oil or moisturiser for teenage and problem skin.
Thorough studies show that jojoba oil is non-irritating to the eyes and skin. The skin rapidly absorbs Jojoba, thus pores and hair follicles remain open and can function freely, Jojoba oil is non-greasy and leaves no oily after-feel and as a result Jojoba oil and Sebum will form a non-greasy, non-tacky layer with, exceptional trans-epidermal water control.
Jojoba will help nourish the hair; it can be massaged into the hair and scalp, helping to remove build up around hair follicles, making it helpful for dandruff, hair loss and dry scalp. It can also be used for dry, damaged and over-processed hair, either cold or warm as a hot oil treatment. Apply a small in the palm of your hand and spread evenly on hair as a dry hair, leave-on-treatment, to control frizz.
It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, five of the most common skin bacteria plus certain skin fungi can’t survive in jojoba oil. In university tests, Jojoba oil destroyed the bacteria staphylococcus and pseudomonas within 1 hour and 15 minutes. Other studies in Israel have shown that jojoba oil relieves the symptoms of psoriasis.
The oil has a heavy texture so for therapists who prefer a lighter feel we suggest blending it 50/50 with Almond or Grapeseed oil.
Fatty acids found in Jojoba Oil
Myristic Acid 65%, Palmitic Acid 3.0 % max, Palmitoleic Acid 1.0 %max, Stearic Acid 1.0 %max, Oleic Acid 5.0 – 15.0 %, Linoleic Acid 5.0 % max, Linolenic Acid 1.0 % max, Arachidic 0.5 % max, Eicosenoic Acid 65.0 – 80.0 % max, Behenic Acid 0.5 % max, Erucic Acid 10.0 – 20.0 % max, Lignoceric 5.0 % max
Precautions
Jojoba is non-allergenic