Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil comes from the a shrub of the species Simmondsia Chinensis which is a naturally occurring shrub in North America. They are a major cash crop from California, Arizona as well as Mexico. Most of the world's supply comes from these three areas and some of the biggest consumers for jojoba oil include Europe as well as Japan. Native Americans have been using them as a traditional remedy for wounds for a few centuries. They require temperatures of above twenty degrees Celsius to survive and they deal very poorly with frost. Simmondsia Chinensis is a unique cash crop in the sense that it is able to withstand harsh desert climates. Because the oil is harvested from the seed of the shrub, it is known as an oilseed crop. But unlike most oilseed crops that produce some form of lipid, the jojoba oil seed produces a form of wax. The jojoba seed also goes by many different names such as the deer nut and the coffee berry. This wax is of primary interest from companies that deal with cosmetics and beauty products. It is also used as a carrier oil (Base oil) within the aromatherapy industry. Base oils are the vehicle used to carry essential oils to the skin while not having any aromas in and of themselves. As such, they are frequently used as the foundation for a concoction of essential oils such as peppermint oil, lavender oil and almond oil. Jojoba oil is stable due to the fact that it has a high oxidation stability index. This simply means it is resistant to oxidizing when exposed and does not degrade easily. This basically translates into a good shelf life. Outside of being used as a carrier oil, it is a fantastic moisturizer. Its composition has been found to be similar to the oils our body produces. It is also seen as a superior replacement for Whale oil that happens to be illegal to harvest from our oceans. Because it is a wax, just a small amount is enough to apply to large areas of the body after dilution with water. This makes it very cost efficient. When combined with its long shelf life, it is seen as the best moisturizer mother nature has to offer. Because of this, they are frequently used in hand creams, soaps, shampoos and conditioners. Due to its moisturizing capabilities, they are popularly used for skin conditions such as dermatitis and dandruff (Scalp dermatitis). However, one does not need to purchase off the shelf beauty products to use jojoba oil effectively. You can simply buy pure jojoba oil (Refined or unrefined) for personal use at a decent price. A 50ml bottle of jojoba oil will cost you between two to three pounds.