Here's Why Jojoba Oil Is One of the Most Beloved Skincare Oils

It wasn't that long ago that "oil" was a dirty word in the skincare world, something meant to be removed from your skin, rather than added back on to it. But, as Bob Dylan said, times they are a-changin'. Walk through any skincare aisle (or haircare aisle for that matter) and you'll quickly notice that not only are there plenty of oil-based products, but also a variety of different oils being touted. There's, of course, the oh-so-buzzy coconut oil, lauded for being a one-stop-shop for all your beauty needs, hyped-up Moroccan argan oil for hair… the list goes on and on. It can be overwhelming, for sure, especially given that the success of using an oil in your beauty routine largely hinges upon which one you choose. Breaking news: Not all oils are created equal. But no matter whether you're an oil newbie and are looking for a surefire safe pick, or are an oil veteran looking for one that can address a variety of issues, jojoba oil is the way to go. Ahead, dermatologists explain exactly what sets this particular oil apart from the rest of the crowd.

Keep reading to learn why you should seriously consider giving jojoba oil some play in your skincare routine.

What Is Jojoba Oil?

"Jojoba oil is a natural oil produced from the seed of the Chinensis plant, a drought-resistant shrub native to southern Arizona, California, and Mexico," explains Chang. (Oh, and FYI, since we know you're wondering, it's pronounced ho-ho-ba), While its prominence in beauty products is a relatively recent phenomenon, it's been used for centuries; Native Americans used it as far back as the 1400s for its wound healing properties (more on those in a minute). Here's where things got a little confusing, though—jojoba oil isn't technically an oil. (Say what?) It's actually a wax ester that, from a chemistry perspective, has a different makeup than other oils. While everyone calls it an oil—and we'll continue to do so just to keep things simple—that fact that it's a wax ester is a large part of what makes it so unique. Wax esters are the main component in human sebum, which means that "jojoba oil mimics natural sebum, conditioning, and sealing moisture in the skin, without clogging pores or exacerbating acne," says Chang. Translation: Jojoba oil is as close to your skin's natural oil as you can get. This is also why it can help balance out oil production and feels so lightweight and non-greasy.

The other upshot of this oil not being an actual oil? "It's more stable and has a longer shelf-life than most oils," points out Nussbaum. Couple that with the fact that it plays so nicely with most other ingredients, and it's no surprise that it can be found in a wide array of skincare, haircare, and makeup products. Even the jojoba beads that are a popular (and much more environmentally-friendly alternative to synthetic microbeads) found in exfoliators are derived from, you guessed it, jojoba oil.

Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Skin

No matter in what form or formula it comes in, the long list of benefits it delivers remains the same.

• Helps maintain skin hydration: As is the case with other oils, jojoba oil is a great emollient, softening and smoothing your complexion. And when it's combined with occlusive ingredients, such as beeswax, it also helps protect the skin barrier, reducing trans-epidermal water loss and sealing in moisture, notes Nussbaum. At the same time, because it does act so similarly to our skin's oil, it helps balance out those levels, useful for anyone dealing with either too much or too little natural oil.
• Offers antioxidant protection: "Jojoba oil is rich in flavonoids and vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that defends the skin against oxidative damage, which contributes to signs of aging," says Chang. While she adds that more studies are needed to confirm its direct anti-aging benefits, it's still a good option to use at any age, to help both protect and brighten the skin.
• Has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe skin: Dealing with eczema, rosacea, or a generally sensitive complexion? Jojoba oil is a saving grace for reducing redness and keeping skin calm and comfortable, says Nussbaum. Along with the vitamin E found in the oil, it's also a good source of B-complex vitamins, she adds. These vitamins, along with the anti-inflammatory effects, make them useful for wound healing, which is why Native Americans originally started using jojoba oil all those years ago.
• Is useful in helping treat acne: For acne-prone skin, jojoba oil takes the cake. First and foremost, it's non-comedogenic and won't clog pores, an imperative quality to search for if you have oily skin but still want to use an oil. Two, you're reaping all those anti-inflammatory benefits (as well as possible antibacterial properties, though more research needs to be done), both of which can help knock out breakouts. And finally, there's the fact that it can balance out your skin's natural oil production. "Since an over-production of sebum can often cause breakouts, using jojoba oil has been shown to ease acne," explains Nussbaum. Though it is an acne-friendly oil, it's important to note prescriptions or over-the-counter treatments may also be required to throughly treat your acne.

Side Effects of Jojoba Oil

Generally speaking, there are no real drawbacks to this particular ingredient. Jojoba oil is generally well-tolerated with a low risk of irritation, Chang tells us. In rare instances, it can cause a rash or reaction, which is usually indicative of an actual allergy, Nussbaum points out. If you want to be extra cautious, you can try any new product out on a small test area before applying it all over your face.

How to Use It

Opt for 100 percent pure jojoba oil to use as a moisturizer, or look for it in a lotion, cream, or serum. Worth noting: It works great as a hair hydrator, too, ideal for sealing dry ends, as well as a treatment for soothing chapped lips.

The Best Products With Jojoba Oil

Ren Evercalm Overnight Recovery Balm $49.00

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"This rich balm can be left on overnight to help nourish and moisturize your skin," says Chang of one of her top choices. "It contains jojoba oil along with glycerin, sunflower seed oil, beta-glucan, and other natural oils that both hydrate and repair," she says. Not to mention that it also effectively tamps down redness and is free of a long list of questionable ingredients, making it a top choice for irritated complexions.

Ogee Jojoba Glow Face Oil $72.00

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Jojoba oil is first on the (limited) ingredient list of this oil, one of Chang's choices, which blends it with other flower oils and boasts 99 percent organic ingredients. Plus, a little bit goes a long way: you only need a drop or two for your entire face. Use it twice daily for glowier, more radiant skin.

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore 2:4:2 $130.00

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The numbers in the name of this heavy-hitting hydrator stand for the ratio of ceramides to cholesterol to fatty acids it contains, a specially-formulated proportion made to not only deliver plenty of moisture but also repair a compromised skin barrier. Among those fatty acids? You guessed it. "I love this because it uses jojoba oil and other ingredients that mimic the natural lipids found in skin like carrot oil, cranberry oil, evening primrose oil, sunflower oil, and sweet almond oil," says Nussbaum of one of her picks. "Combining jojoba oil with all of these other ingredients provides great barrier repair benefits."

Sunday Riley U.F.O. Ultra-Clarifying Face Oil $80.00

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Per the point we made about jojoba oil being a smart option for blemish-prone skin comes this acne treatment. "It contains jojoba oil along with a combination of acne-fighting and brightening ingredients," says Chang. More specifically: salicylic acid to exfoliate and clean out pores, tea tree oil to fight inflammation, and licorice root to help even out tone, she adds. We also appreciate that it's super quick-drying and never leaves behind a greasy residue. Top tip: It's great at combatting back acne, too.

Eos FlavorLab Super Short Shea Lip Balm Duo $5.00

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You can easily slather on straight-up jojoba oil onto a chapped pout to alleviate flakes, but if you prefer a more solid option, reach for this balm. "It contains a mega [smoothing] mix of ingredients such as jojoba oil, coconut oil, and sustainably-sourced shea butter that keeps lips [soft] all day long, and also locks in moisture," says Nussbaum. The delicious, lip-smacking flavors and cute colored packaging are just an added bonus.

True Botanicals Pre Cleanse Oil $48.00

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Chang recommends using this as a prep step before your standard cleanser. Jojoba, sesame seed, apricot kernel, and bergamot oils are the only ingredients in a blend that quickly and efficiently dissolves even super stubborn makeup, all while leaving your skin silky soft. If you're using it all over your face, you may want to follow with another cleanser for the most thorough cleanse, though it works well on its own if you just want to take off eye makeup.

Origins Original Skin Retexturizing Mask with Rose Clay $28.00

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As we said, jojoba oil comes in many forms; in one of Chang's go-to masks, it's in the form of exfoliating jojoba beads. These little guys polish skin to perfection, gently yet effectively buffing off the dull skin cells that can impede your glow. At the same time, the kaolin clay in the formula goes to town, acting like a magnet to pull out dirt and impurities lodged in your pores. The result? A crazy clear, super smooth complexion.