Jojoba oil acne uses include being a general moisturizer, used for spot treatments and as part of a cleansing oil regime. You can find the best jojoba oil here.
Jojoba oil is a splendidly light, absorptive skin oil. It has an undetectable scent and an SPF of 4. It is a golden-brown color. Growing in arid regions, jojoba oil is from the plant Simmondsia chinensis and is technically a wax.
The jojoba plant is native to the Sonoran Desert of northern Mexico and southern Arizona. It is a plant adapted to the harsh desert climate. The oil preserves these adaptations, being highly resistant to light degradation or oxidation and so has a stable shelf life.
If you are looking for more information on dealing with acne naturally, check out the following articles as well: Natural Remedies for Acne part 1 & part 2. Also consider that more severe acne may require dietary changes and herbal support (if you want to use natural methods). Both of the articles cover those topics.
The Qualities that Make Jojoba Oil an Acne-Eliminator
Jojoba oil has many qualities that make it effective for acne and as a natural skin care oil in general.
Barrier Function of a Desert Plant
As a desert-dwelling plant, jojoba has evolved to create an effective barrier to water loss. This barrier function prevents water loss from the skin when applied. Water loss from the skin leads to all sorts of skin issues, from fine lines to skin fragility. Basically, dehydrated skin is a candidate for stress and stressed skin tends to break outs.
It also actually increases the relative skin hydration.
Superior Skin Penetration & Emollient Action
Jojoba oil is a wonderful moisturizer, which easily penetrates the upper layers and spreads softly on the skin. It is an emollient for dry, aging, distressed skin, yet I find it does not leave an oily residue. Jojoba oil is quickly absorbed by the skin and persists in the uppermost layers without clogging pores. With repeated daily application, jojoba oil presents a significant amount of persistence in the skin (meaning that it’s helpful effects continue working throughout the days, it doesn’t just “disappear”).
Mimics Human Sebum
Squeaky clean is an invitation for the skin to attempt to regain balance by over-producing it’s natural oil, called sebum. Over-production of oil is one of the factors leading to acne and so a gentler strategy is to work with the skin. Oil serves many protective functions and keeps the skin youthful.
The theory is that since jojoba oil mimics sebum, the skin does not need to produce as much oil, therefore alleviating over-oil production which can cause acne. In addition, it keeps the skin soft and lubricated.
Wound Healer
As jojoba oil is a wound healer, it can help to clear up lesions that occur with acne and quicken the healing process of scabs, sores and other marks left by cysts and pimples. It can also help to prevent scars from forming.
How Do I Use Jojoba Oil for Acne?
Jojoba oil can be used in numerous ways to help heal acne, scars and marks.
Healing Clay-Jojoba Oil Acne Facial Mask
This has been shown to be effective for both inflamed and non-inflamed skin lesions present with mild acne vulgaris.
To make the jojoba oil acne facial mask:
-Mix a small amount of a healing clay, such as rhassoul, kaolin, or green clay with some jojoba oil to make a paste.
-Apply to the skin and allow to work for about 15 minutes.
-Gently rinse the mask off with pure water, spritz the skin with a flower water toner and apply a small amount of jojoba oil to moisturize.
-Apply 2 to 3 times per week for 6 weeks for best results.
Here are some other jojoba oil acne treatments and natural body care uses:
- As a Moisturizer, first wet the skin with a floral water or plain water and then use up to 6 drops of jojoba oil, gently massaging the skin. You may pat off excess with a damp washcloth if necessary.
- Removing make-up easily, cleanly and smoothly
- Can be used on the lips as well as an emollient
- As a hair conditioner it penetrates the hair shaft, conditions the hair and scalp, creating soft, shiny hair. All this and it won’t cause break outs.
- Using the oil cleansing method to clean the skin
- As an acne spot treatment, mix jojoba oil with some tea tree oil and dab on the spots. Repeat throughout the day.
References:
Anti-inflammatory effects of jojoba liquid wax in experimental models, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, June 2004. Habashy, Abdel-Naim, Khalifa, & Al-Azizi.
Clay Jojoba Oil Facial Mask for Lesioned Skin and Mild Acne – Results of a Prospective, Observational Pilot Study. Research in Complementary Medicine, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2012. Meier, Stange, Michalsen, & Uehlek.