Natural Hair and Skin Remedy Everyone Should Have At Home
Jojoba oil has been known as one of the
most powerful natural hair, skin and nail treatments in existence. Its
efficacy is supported both by plenty of scientific evidence and a
long-standing Native American tradition of using it to treat wounds and
bruises.
And while jojoba oil may not be as multitasking as olive or coconut oil,
as it’s not suitable for cooking, thanks to its unique chemical makeup
it is much better at moisturizing, balancing and healing the skin, hair
and nails than any other oil. Learn when and how to use this miracle
worker in detail below.
What You Need to Know About Jojoba Oil
The oil is derived from the nuts of the jojoba plant (seen on the
picture below), which is native to the southwestern United States and
Mexico. Jojoba oil has a pale golden color, a slightly nutty smell and a
lightweight texture.
Jojoba oil is a common ingredient in many skincare products, but
pure undiluted jojoba oil can be used and is widely available.
Jojoba oil can be used as a base oil and mixed with other essential
oils to create custom oil blends targeting different skin and hair
concerns.
The chemical makeup of jojoba oil is very similar to the natural
oils our skin produces, which is why it is very hypoallergenic and
well-tolerated by sensitive skins.
1. Use Jojoba Oil to Relieve Psoriasis and
Eczema
Uncomfortable and often uncontrollable skin conditions associated with
dry and flaking skin, such as psoriasis and eczema, usually improve
after applying jojoba oil. This is because of anti inflammatory and
healing properties of the oil.
Apart from that, jojoba oil coats the problematic regions with a
protective layer and relieves the itching and dryness associated with
both conditions. Other skin conditions, such as rosacea and even diaper
rash can also be treated with jojoba oil, as it is hypoallergenic and
completely natural.
How to: Simply apply a small amount of oil on top of the area, no rubbing or massaging needed, be as gentle as possible.
2. Pure Jojoba Oil Can Be Used For Anti-Aging
Jojoba oil is a miracle ingredient for
aging skin because it alone can do things to your skin that otherwise
would require a whole skincare regimen. Namely, it had been shown to:
reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
treat hyperpigmentation
promote the production of collagen.
Hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and loss of volume and elasticity due to
slow collagen production are the main causes of skin aging. Researchers
believe this amazing effect is likely attributed to the abundance of
antioxidants the oil contains.
How to: To use jojoba oil for anti-aging, apply just a few drops of oil
on top of your usual skincare regimen, or simply on dry clean skin in
the evening. Spread the oil evenly on your face, neck, decollete area
and hands.
3. Treat Cuts, Sunburns and Bruises With
Jojoba Oil
The wound healing properties of jojoba oil have been known for
centuries, and it was used by Native Americans for centuries to dress
wounds, get rid of bruises and scarring. The sun-shielding capabilities
of jojoba oil have been discovered more recently, but today, jojoba oil
is one of the key ingredients in many natural sunscreens.
Studies suggests that antioxidants combined with vitamin E, both of
which are contained in jojoba oil, can shield the skin from the sun.
Combine this with the healing and antibacterial properties of jojoba oil
we mentioned, and you will have a great treatment for sunburns.
How to: If the treated are is large, spread just enough oil to coat the
region. If you're dealing with a scar, a small cut, a stubborn zit or a
bruise, you can douse a small piece of fabric or cotton in the oil and
cover the clean, dry and disinfected area with the DIY bandage we made.
To fixate the bandage, use a band-aid.
4. Use Jojoba Oil to Treat Acne and Oiliness
As counterintuitive as it may sound,
applying jojoba oil to oily and acne-prone skin is a good idea. This is
because jojoba oil mimics the natural oils in your skin, tricking your
body into believing that it already produced enough oil. The results are
less unwanted oily shine, but also clearer skin, as pores clogged with
excess oil is one of the leading causes of acne.
Apart from that, jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and soothing
properties that will also calm down angry pimples and soothe your skin
without causing any irritation like many chemically-derived acne
products, such as benzoyl peroxide.
How to: In the evening, apply a few drops of oil either as the last step
of your skincare routine, or alone. Spread it all over your face, neck
and any other problem areas. You can also mix a few drops of the oil in
your usual moisturizer.
5. Jojoba Oil Is An Excellent Lip Balm
One has to be very careful with lip products, as parts of your lipsticks
and lip balms may easily penetrate your body through your mouth. That’s
why it’s best to use a natural and non-irritating product, like jojoba
oil, that will both moisturize your lips without compromising your
health.
How to: Simply apply a tiny amount of jojoba oil on your lips, et voila,
you have a discrete and healthy-looking lip balm on.
6. Jojoba Oil Is Great For Shaving and Treating Razor Burn
The oil has an interesting waxy texture,
which makes the razor glide smoothly during shaving, which assures that
you minimize the likelihood of developing razor burn or getting nicks or
cuts. And even when that does happen, cuts tend to heal faster and
leave no scars because of the antibacterial and healing properties of
the oil. Apart from that, you will need very little product compared to
shaving cream.
How to: Pour a small amount of oil into your palms and spread it around
the area you’d like to shave. The skin should be dry and no water is
needed for the shaving process. Continue as usual and simply wash off
the oil when you’re done.
7. Use Jojoba Oil As a Moisturizer for Dry Skin
Like most base oils, jojoba oil is a good
moisturizing agent. Apart from simply moisturizing your skin, however,
it is very effective at sealing the moisture in your skin, which is why
it is especially beneficial when used on top of your usual skincare
routine.
This doesn’t mean that it cannot be used on its own, as it has been
found to soften even the hardest and stubbornly dry skin areas, such as
dry heels and elbows.
How to: Since your skin is dry, we suppose you’re already using creams
and other skincare to treat it. Just add a drop of jojoba oil to your
moisturizer to make it richer and apply as usual. You can also apply the
oil on top of your skincare routine in the evening. If you have dry
heels, apply the oil and wear socks, this will seal in the moisture in
your skin.
8. You Can Take Off Your Makeup and Cleanse
Your Skin
With Jojoba Oil
Unlike many harsh cleansers or makeup wipes, heavily-laden with
detergents and foaming agents that irritate and age your skin, jojoba
oil is effective, safe, noncomedogenic and gentle. You can use jojoba
oil to remove makeup and wash your face, including the eye area.
After washing your face with jojoba oil, your skin will feel soft and
hydrated, and not oily or dry. Using jojoba oil as a universal cleanser
will not only make your skin look healthier and younger in the long run,
but you will also buy less products, as you will need only jojoba oil
to remove the makeup from your face, eyes and to clean your face.
How to: To use jojoba oil as a cleanser, simply apply a few drops of oil
on a dry face and massage it gently with your hands until you see that
your makeup has melted off, then rinse. If necessary, repeat.
9. Can Be Used to Treat Dry, Brittle Nails and Cuticles
Many women and men use jojoba oil to keep
their nails healthy and strong. The vitamin E combined with the
moisturizing and antibacterial properties of jojoba oil promotes nail
growth, makes your nails less brittle and prevents breakage.
How to: Either massage a few drops of jojoba oil into your nails and
cuticles, or apply it with a nail polish brush, just don’t forget the
back of the nails.
10. Use Jojoba Oil to Prevent Dandruff and Grow Healthy and Long Hair
A dry and itchy scalp is a common symptom
of dandruff, but so is hair loss. Many hair products that target
dandruff can help you get rid of the flakes, but they are too drying for
your scalp, which can exacerbate the problem.
Jojoba oil is rich in vitamin E, zinc and selenium, all of which are
known to fight dandruff, but it is protective and soothing for your skin
as well, so it won’t dry out your scalp and hair. Finally, jojoba oil
can moisturize your scalp, which will promote hair growth and decrease
the amount of hair breakage.
How to: There are a few ways to use jojoba oil on your hair. The most
common and effective way is to use it as a mask by heating the oil a
little bit, and then applying to a dry scalp. Leave the mask on for at
least 15 minutes, and then wash your hair as usual. Finally, you can add
jojoba oil to your usual shampoo and conditioner.