9 Benefits Of Jojoba Oil For The Hair And How To Use It

Jojoba oil is utilized for a variety of cosmetic and health purposes. However, did you know that jojoba oil has multiple benefits for hair growth?

Jojoba oil is a boon for your hair since it moisturizes, restores, and protects the hair. Its silky, oily texture penetrates effortlessly and nourishes the tresses. Because this oil is a natural lubricant that resembles sebum, it is good for all hair textures. Jojoba oil helps make your hair smooth, lustrous, and healthy, whether it is rough or damaged. Continue reading to figure out the steps to make the most of these benefits. Scroll down!

Know Your Ingredient: Jojoba Oil

What Is It?
A clear and odorless oil obtained from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis or the jojoba plant, native to America.

What Are Its Benefits?
It has moisturizing, restorative, cleansing, and anti-microbial properties that help in hair growth by nourishing the hair.

Who Can Use It?
It is safe for anyone to use as long as they are not allergic.

How Often?
It can be used daily or as needed.

Caution
It may cause contact dermatitis and lead to redness, extreme itching, blisters, dry skin, and swelling.

What Is Jojoba Oil? 

Jojoba oil is a clear and odorless oil obtained from the crushed beans of the jojoba shrub, which is mostly found in the deserts of Southern Western America and Mexico. This emollientⁱ  XMoisturizing and skin-softening ingredients that relieve dryness, itching, and flaking and protect the skin from damage. is a polyunsaturated liquid wax that contains fatty acids and straight-chain alcohol esters. It reduces the signs of premature aging, prevents breakouts, soothes burns and bumps, and fights fungal infections. While these are its popular skin benefits, is jojoba oil good for hair? Learn more in the next section.

Trivia

Jojoba oil contains 11-eicosenoic acid, oleic acid, erucic acid, and nervonic acid as the primary mono-unsaturated fatty acids.

Benefits Of Jojoba Oil For The Hair: What Does Science Say?

Many people have used jojoba oil for hair as it is proven to offer several benefits like:

• Natural Moisturizer: Jojoba oil is similar to the natural sebum produced by humans. It has natural restorative esters identical to sebum and can be used as a natural emollient for the hair (1). This natural wax ester can help moisturize and soften the hair.

Tasha, a blogger, who used jojoba oil along with banana masks and shea butter-infused products to moisturize her super-dry strands shares her experience on her blog: “After 5 months of moisturizing my hair (jojoba oil, banana masks, shea butter based products), my hair felt good enough to lightly bleach. And it stripped some of the protein out, which was nice (i).”

• Dry Scalp Treatment: This multi-beneficial oil can help stimulate hair growth and soothe psoriasisⁱ  XA chronic autoimmune disease that results in skin inflammation and causes dry, rough, and elevated patches of skin. and eczemaⁱ  X A chronic inflammatory disorder that occasionally flares up and results in dry, irritated skin. . It also treats dry scalps since the composition is similar to sebum (2).

• Restorative Treatment: Jojoba oil is popularly used as a hair restorative treatment due to its hair protecting benefits. It also boosts hair and scalp health.

• Non-Comedogenic And Cleansing Properties: This oil helps remove excess sebum that clogs the scalp pores. Jojoba oil can also cleanse the hair and scalp, removing sticky buildup or airborne substances (2). It is often used in hair care products for its anti-dandruff and hair restorative properties.

• Improves Hair Manageability: Jojoba oil can be used to manage tangled hair, help in split end reduction, and moisturize dry scalp (3). It also helps restore the hair and skin pH balance (4).

• May Aid Hair Growth: A study showed that massaging jojoba oil with an essential oil (like lavender or rosemary) onto the scalp could stimulate hair growth (5). However, there is not enough scientific evidence suggesting that jojoba oil stimulates hair growth.

• Antimicrobial And Anti-inflammatory Properties: Jojoba oil has anti-proliferative, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, which make it effective for dandruff control and help protect the scalp from breakouts and infections and promote scalp health (6). Studies also show that jojoba oil has a soothing effect on inflammation caused by dandruff and psoriasis (7).

• Nutrient-Rich: Jojoba oil contains vitamins A, E, and F, squalene, saturated and unsaturated alcohols, and fatty acids and esters (7). Squalene, also found in human hair, acts as a protective agent (8). Vitamins A and E have antioxidant properties that prevent free radical damage that causes the signs of aging.

Read on to know how the vitamins in jojoba oil benefit the hair.

What Vitamins And Minerals Does Jojoba Oil Contain? 

Jojoba oil is well-known for its rich vitamin and mineral content. It contains natural forms of vitamin E, which makes it ideal for hair damage prevention, hydration, nourishment, strength, and shine (1).  Vitamin E prevents oxidative damage to the hair, improves natural moisture retention and hair softness, conditions the hair,, balances sebum production, and maintains the scalp’s pH level. It also improves blood circulation, which can stimulate hair growth. A study showed that the topical application of vitamin E induced hair growth in rabbits (9). Vitamin E also boosts collagen production and helps improve hair elasticity.

Jojoba oil contains vitamin A, which has antioxidant properties and can prevent damage and hair loss caused by free radicals (10). The topical application of retinoids (derivatives of vitamin A) can help treat conditions like alopecia areataⁱ  XAn autoimmune disorder that frequently causes abrupt hair loss and causes overlapping bald patches. and androgenetic alopeciaⁱ  XA common skin condition that generally impacts your scalp and is marked by scaly patches, inflamed skin, and recurrent dandruff. (11).

Now that you know the benefits of jojoba oil, let’s not be ignorant of its side effects. Check out the following section!

Side Effects Of Jojoba Oil

While the topical application of jojoba oil is mostly considered safe, it can cause contact dermatitis (12), (13). Perform a patch test on the arm’s underside or at the back of the neck to check for any irritation, redness, or allergic reactions. Do not ingest topical jojoba oil as it contains erucic acid, which may increase the risk of heart disease (14).

Here are a few ways of using jojoba oil to moisturize and improve the hair.

How To Use Jojoba Oil For The Hair

• Hot Oil Treatment: Research shows that massaging the scalp with oil can stimulate hair growth (15). Jojoba oil can be used as an overnight hot oil treatment with a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.

• Blend two to three drops of jojoba oil with two tablespoons of coconut oil and apply it to the hair and scalp. Cover the head with a shower cap and leave it on overnight.

• Enhancing Hair Care Products: Add a few drops of jojoba oil to your shampoo or conditioner to enhance its effectiveness.

• Hair Mask: Jojoba oil can be used with other ingredients as a hair mask to nourish a dry scalp and as a restorative hair treatment. It can be paired with replenishing ingredients like honey, olive oil, avocado, eggs, and oatmeal.

• Direct Application: Apply jojoba oil directly to the hair and scalp. Leave on for half an hour as a general hair care treatment.

Quick Tip

You can warm the oil slightly for easier application and use 1 tablespoon for short hair and 2 tablespoons for longer hair.

Infographic: Jojoba Oil Hair Masks

Jojoba oil is an odorless and clear oil that acts as a natural moisturizer, may aid hair growth, and cleanse your hair properly. While you can directly apply jojoba oil to your hair, you can also mix it with some of your favorite ingredients to create a relaxing hair mask.

Check out the infographic below to know more!

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply jojoba oil directly to the scalp?

Yes. Topical jojoba oil is safe on the scalp.

Jojoba oil vs. coconut oil – which one is better?

Coconut oil is a well-known hair care oil. It penetrates the hair follicles to strengthen them from within and protects the hair from UV damage and enhances its length and density. On the other hand, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that jojoba can promote hair growth. Jojoba oil is recommended if you have a dry scalp or hair.

Can I use jojoba to seal in moisture?

Yes. Jojoba oil retains moisture in the skin/scalp.

How often should you use jojoba oil in the hair?

Jojoba oil can be used once a week, provided it does not irritate the skin or scalp.

Do you apply jojoba oil to wet or dry hair?

Yes. Jojoba oil can be applied to both dry and wet hair. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that jojoba oil is absorbed quickly when applied to wet hair.

Argan or jojoba oil: which is better for hair?

While both oils are good, jojoba is much closer to your natural sebum and can help address clogged follicles, control excess oil production, and soak deeper into your skin. Hence, it is comparatively better for your hair than argan oil.

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

 

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy. She has taken it upon herself to show...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer

Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach. Her passion for and understanding of all things related to skin, hair, and beauty propelled her to pursue a career in writing....more