Jojoba Oil

I have been attending a monthly class to learn about using herbs to improve health.  The last class I attended was exceptionally fun.  The fifteen women in attendance enjoyed facials with homemade products.  After using a blend of oils and herbs to cleanse the face, we did a clay mask.  We finished up, not with moisturizer as I had expected, but with 100% pure jojoba oil.

I have never used straight oil on my face.  My forehead turns into a grease pit quite easily, and it just didn't make sense to put oil there on purpose.  But for the sake of experimenting, I tried the jojoba oil.

The next morning I showered, and when I finally got in front of the mirror, I was stunned!  The skin on my face looked like it belonged to someone else!  It was so smooth, clear, and glowing.  My forehead was not oily like I thought it would be, even after hours of sleeping.

Jojoba oil isn't really an oil, but rather a "wax ester".  Out of all the compounds in nature, it is the most similar to human skin oil (sebum).  The theory is that jojoba can cause your skin to think it has produced enough oil, thereby balancing oil production.

Jojoba oil is not water-based, so it does not evaporate during the day like moisturizers.  It's easy to spread over the skin and it absorbs well.  Unlike most oils, it does not become rancid or lose antioxidants over time.

You can apply it directly to your skin, or add a few drops to your moisturizer before applying.  It works beautifully to remove makeup without irritation to the eyes.  Jojoba oil is very beneficial as a hair product.  Massaging it into the scalp helps prevent dandruff.  A small amount can be worked into the hair as a leave-in conditioner.

Jojoba oil can be expensive, but it is worth every penny.  Considering the number of products it can replace, it is a work-horse ingredient.