The Benefits of Jojoba Oil for Hair

We heart jojoba oil. This natural ingredient (pronounced ‘ho-ho-ba’) was first discovered by the Indigenous American Tohono O’odham people centuries ago – and has even been attributed to helping save the whales! Today, it is used in skin and haircare the world over – we use organic, zero-waste golden jojoba oil in our smoothing Jojoba Shampoo and Conditioner. But what exactly are the benefits of jojoba oil for hair and scalp? Read on to discover them.

What is Jojoba Oil?

Technically speaking, jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax. It is extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia Chinensis (or jojoba) shrub, which is native to the Sonoran Desert of Mexico and North America. Its name is derived from the Tohono O’odham name for jojoba seeds: ‘hohowi’. The Tohono O’odham people used jojoba oil as a balm for hair, skin and minor wounds for centuries. Its qualities gained international recognition in the seventies, when it was discovered to be an ethical alternative to the then widely-used sperm whale oil – as this 1975 New York Times article explains. Growing jojoba was encouraged as a way to help save the whales, and it began to be farmed in America and beyond. The cold-pressed golden jojoba oil we use in our haircare products is organic and zero-waste, with the by-product left over after extraction being used in agriculture.

The Nourishing Properties of Jojoba Oil

Jojoba is packed with an array of nutritional properties, which explains why it’s been so long-revered as a skin and haircare hero. Unlike other plant oils, it is made of mostly (around 97%) wax esters of fatty acids, which is why it is officially a liquid wax. The chemical structure of jojoba oil is very similar to that of sebum, the oily substance our bodies produce to protect and moisturise our skin. It’s also brimming with vitamins A, B, D and E, minerals and antioxidants – and is known to be both antibacterial and antifungal.

What Does Jojoba Oil Do for Your Hair?

Thanks to all those nourishing properties, the list of things jojoba oil can do for your tresses is impressive...

Moisturises Jojoba moisturises hair in its own unique way. Unlike other plant oils, such as argan oil and coconut oil, it hydrates hair from the outside. Whilst other oils sink into the hair shaft and condition them from within, jojoba sits on the outside of strands and works by locking in the moisture from washing while hair is damp.

Smooths and Protects Because jojoba is lightweight and rests on the outside of the hair shaft, it has a softening and smoothing effect which can help tame frizz, leave hair looking smooth and shiny and make it feel more manageable. It is also known to help to protect strands from breakage and split ends. As the oil sits on the outside of strands, many people swear by leave-in jojoba products for helping to protect hair strands from heat styling.

Nourishes Curls Sebum is the natural, oily substance produced by the scalp – and one of its functions is to moisturise hair. For those with straight or wavy locks, sebum is distributed down the lengths through brushing or combing. But if you’ve got tight coils and curls and brushing isn’t a regular part of your haircare routine, it’s much harder for sebum to travel down the hair shaft towards the ends. Because jojoba is so similar to the sebum our bodies make, it is renowned for helping to effectively moisturise the lengths and ends of curly and coily hair.

Jojoba Oil for Scalp Health

A healthy scalp lays the foundation for healthy hair. And jojoba is known to do great things for the scalp.

Balances Jojoba oil’s known antibacterial and antifungal properties are believed to help even the pH balance and natural moisture levels of the scalp. Again, because of its similarities to sebum, jojoba can hydrate hair without making it oily. This natural balancing of the scalp is also known to help flaky scalps – which are often a result of sebum overproduction.

Cleanses and Supports Healthy Hair Jojoba is known to dissolve grease and dirt from the scalp. These deposits can often block hair follicles; clearing them away is known to help hair to grow healthier and thicker.

Using Jojoba Oil as a Natural Conditioner

With its long list of nourishing benefits to both hair and scalp, jojoba oil is loved by many as a natural conditioner. Whether it’s combed through hair after or before washing, or left on strands as an overnight mask, there are plenty of ways to use this haircare natural wonder as a conditioner.

How to Apply Jojoba Oil for Best Results

There are lots of ways to introduce jojoba into your haircare routine:

Pre-Wash Treatment Start wash days as you mean to go on by massaging jojoba oil into your scalp and through the lengths of your hair before you lather up.

Leave-In Conditioner Lock in the moisture from washing your hair and help smooth frizz by using jojoba oil as a leave-in conditioner. Apply sparingly to lengths and ends, avoiding the roots.

Natural Styling Product Jojoba oil can help define curls, control flyaways and add smoothness and shine. Again, use sparingly and stick to the lengths and ends.

Overnight Treatment For a hydrating hair mask, try combing jojoba oil through damp hair before bed, before shampooing and conditioning in the morning. Protect your pillows and bedding by using a cap and towel.

Jojoba Hair Products Avoid the mess and hassle of applying jojoba oil directly to your hair by using products that already contain it, like our 99.5% natural origin smoothing Jojoba Shampoo and Jojoba Conditioner for dry hair & scalp.