Native to the south-western states of the USA and growing primarily in Mexico, Southern California, and Arizona, the jojoba plant is basically a shrub that does well in desert regions. It is from the seeds of the jojoba shrub that jojoba oil is extracted.
The jojoba oil is a waxy-like oil that manufacturers have been adding to food and cosmetics since the 1970s. It has now become so popular and is so incredibly versatile that you find it in a host of nail, skin and hair products.
But why is it so popular? And how can it be beneficial for your hair?
Let’s examine a few benefits of jojoba oil, and why you should consider using it for your hair:
It is a great moisturiser:
Because it has an oily composition, jojoba oil works great as a moisturizer, protecting the hair against split ends, breakage and dryness. It moisturises both hair and scalp. You can use it all by itself or you can add it to your store bought hair conditioner.
It is an effective dandruff remedy:
As jojoba oil moisturises your hair, it reduces scalp irritation and thus prevents dandruff. If you already have dandruff, it helps to reduce it. Simply massage jojoba oil into your scalp and comb out the dandruff flakes.
It strengthens your hair:
Rich in minerals and vitamins that nourish hair (such as zinc, copper, vitamin E, B vitamins, and vitamin C), jojoba oil strengthens your hair. It moisturises your hair follicles, thereby preventing the dryness that usually leads to hair loss. Jojoba oil also promotes hair thickness and strengthens your hair, and is a great product for promoting shiny, silky, and strong hair.
It treats dryness:
Jojoba oil seals in moisture when you use it for your hair, combating dryness and adding shine to the hair, especially when you apply the oil before you shampoo your hair. The applied jojoba oil acts as a protective barrier and doesn’t allow the sulfates (and other similar ingredients) in the shampoo strip your hair of its natural oils.
It makes for natural hair growth:
Jojoba oil contains natural alcohol and fatty acids, and the combination of this helps to nourish your hair while stimulating hair growth. This oil also has comparable qualities to the sebum present in the human scalp, working the same way that the natural oils in the scalp do, and this ensures that the hair remains healthy and reaches it potential in growth. If you are balding or experiencing thinning hair, jojoba oil may also help.
It helps you maintain a clean and healthy scalp:
We have already mentioned that your scalp produces a natural oil called the sebum. Excessive sebum on the scalp could however turn into hardened wax which can block hair cuticles from growing out. To loosen build-up on the scalp and unblock your hair cuticles so that healthier hair can grow out, simply apply a few drops of jojoba oil to your scalp.
It treats scalp infections:
Also present in jojoba oil is antioxidants, and these help to fight fungal and bacterial scalp infections which may otherwise cause hair damage and hinder hair growth.
It reverses heat damage:
If you are like many other women, you probably use styling tools such as blow dryers, hair straighteners, or curling irons on your hair, and you need to know that these cause heat damage to the hair with constant use. The hair’s outer cuticle begins to break opens, resulting in split ends and hair breakage. Because jojoba oil doesn't get absorbed into the hair like other oils do but rather sits on the outer cuticle of hair strands, it helps to fill in the gaps in the split ends, and thus works to reverse the damage done by heat. To be proactive, you can add a few drops of jojoba oil to your heat protectant before applying to your hair.
It may delay greyness:
The reason why we grow grey hair is that we become copper deficient as we grow older, leading to pigment loss and grey hair. Jojoba oil contains copper and this helps to slow down the process of greying.
How to use jojoba oil for maximum effect
Use it directly on hair:
To do this, apply warm jojoba oil just above your scalp, and then work your way down to the tips of your hair, massaging as you go. Leave the oil in for 25 minutes, then shampoo your hair, condition it, and rinse it. If you are using it to prevent dry scalp or dandruff, apply directly to your scalp.
Add it to other hair care products:
All you have to do is add between three to five drops of jojoba oil to your favourite conditioner or shampoo before using it.
Buy products containing jojoba oil:
One of the easiest ways to include jojoba oil into your normal hair care routine is to simply purchase hair products that contain jojoba oil.
The takeaway
Jojoba oil will be a fantastic addition to your hair care regimen, conditioning your hair, making it more manageable, strengthening it, and giving it shine and body. It is also very helpful in the treatment of dry scalp and dandruff and works to reverse the damage done by heat.
As you add it to your hair care routine, it will continue to yield dividend over time, nourishing your hair with its rich store of minerals and vitamins.
And the great news is that jojoba oil is safe to use. It has a great reputation for safety, even for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
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