Jojoba oil can be found in countless hair and skin products, and with good reason. It is an eco-friendly powerhouse that offers so many natural hair benefits.
As a hydratante, sealant, conditioner, emollient, and detangler, Jojoba Oil is a coily girl’s bestie.
Jojoba oil has been used for centuries by indigenous people as a natural remedy. The O’odham Native American tribe extracted the oil from jojoba to use as an antioxidant and to treat sores and wounds.
Jojoba is mainly used today in cosmetics and hair products and is a favorite among natural coilies as a sealant after hydration.
Coily/4C hair is ALWAYS in need of moisture, so an oil that can seal without adding build-up or heaviness, is ideal.
But do you know the many other benefits of using Jojoba oil for your natural hair? I’ll be doing a deep dive into this coily hair staple and exploring the amazing benefits of Jojoba oil.
What Exactly Is Jojoba?
Jojoba oil is extracted from the jojoba plant (Simmondsia Chinensis), a common wild evergreen that grows in arid areas like Arizona, Mexico and California.
Jojoba beans are more than 40% oil and are actually classified as liquid wax. This wax does not become rancid (go bad/spoil) easily and is an amazing lubricant, among other properties.
Jojoba has a longer shelf-life than some other oils so you can get a lot of use out of it.
Is Jojoba Oil Good for Natural Hair?
Jojoba oil is packed with Vitamin E, which provides anti-aging benefits, Vitamins A, D, chromium, copper, zinc and Omega 6 and 9 fatty acids.
This makes Jojoba a miracle plant that can have many healing and hair-nourishing uses. Jojoba’s list of benefits include:
- Natural moisturizer: Jojoba’s chemical composition very closely mimics sebum, our natural scalp oil produced in sebaceous glands near hair follicles. Sebum adds lubrication and moisture to the hair, but it has a difficult time getting down coily strands due to the zigs and zags of our hair. Applying Jojoba to your hair provides similar benefits and can replace the much-needed moisture that our sebum is unable to provide.
- Scalp/skin anti-inflammatory: Jojoba is soothing to the skin and scalp, so it can help calm down minor, superficial irritation.
- Oil balancing: Jojoba oil can help keep your scalp clean and will not clog follicles.
- Hair loss helper: Although this has not been scientifically proven, Jojoba is anecdotally praised for its ability to help with hair loss. Its antibacterial and emollient properties can make jojoba a good addition to your coily hair regimen to slow down thinning
- Lightweight for fine, thin hair: Jojoba is not as heavy as other oils (Castor oil, Olive Oil, etc) so it is a fine hair friend if you need an oil that won’t weigh your hair down.
- Hair penetrating: There is conflicting information available on this but some sources say that, like Avocado (see more about Avocado oil here), Coconut, and Grapeseed oils, Jojoba is one of the few that can penetrate the hair strands. If true, this allows Jojoba to add its vitamins and nutrients where your hair needs them most, while preventing breakage from dryness and brittleness.
- Elasticity and shine: The vitamin E in Jojoba oil helps boost your hair’s elasticity and shine while helping the cuticles to lay flatter and sealing in moisture. Vitamin E also penetrates the hair shaft which can enhance length retention.
- Sealant: Applying Jojoba oil to hair after hydrating helps seal in the moisture as well as minimize tangling and knotting. This is always good news if you are looking to retain length.
- Frizz-buster: Flyaways and frizz are never on the menu, so adding Jojoba oil to your styling regimen can help keep this at bay. Frizz occurs when hair is dry and takes moisture from the environment. Sealing strands with Jojoba oil can lock in moisture, minimizing frizz.
- Antibacterial and antifungal: Jojoba oil can help maintain the natural pH balance of hair and scalp, promoting a healthy environment for growth.
Here’s a fun fact: Jojoba oil is considered one of the world’s top lubricants, bested only by Sperm Whale oil! Cetyl alcohol, a common ingredient in hair conditioners, lotions, and skin creams, was first derived from Sperm Whale oil.
If you’ve been struggling to maintain moisture in your coils, Jojoba is an excellent option.
How To Use Jojoba Oil in Coily Hair?
The benefits of using oils in our coily hair are numerous, but like all things, too much can be detrimental to hair health and growth.
Developing a routine that works for your hair is essential.
In general, oils work best when the hair is already hydrated, meaning there is water in it. Applying oils to dry hair can cause it to become drier and brittle.
It is good practice to mist hair with water prior to applying oil. Depending on your individual hair needs, a liquid, cream, or butter may also work well to retain moisture before or after adding your oil.
Oils can also be layered on the hair for added benefit, applying your moisturizing oils like Avocado, Grapeseed, or Coconut oils first, and then sealing oils like Jojoba.
Safe to use several times a day, Jojoba also plays well with other oils like Argan, Moringa, and Coconut. If you pair Jojoba with other products, and find it just isn’t working, it can be easily washed out without leaving oily residue on your strands.
Used as a hot oil treatment, you can massage a few drops of Jojoba on your hair and scalp for a spa-like treat for your coils.
Have a favorite conditioner that needs a little boost? You got it! Jojoba is your go-to for added moisture and shine.
I mix Jojoba oil with Avocado, as a scalp oil and sealant on wash days, after my cream moisturizers. I find this keeps my hair so soft and my twists stay so much longer this way.
Jojoba oil is a coily hair multi-tasker that can boost the health and appearance of your natural hair. Lightweight, moisturizing and emollient, Jojoba oil should be on every naturalista’s list of best oils for coils!
Do you love Jojoba oil as much as I do? Have any other tips on incorporating Jojoba oil in a natual hair regimen. Leave a comment below and let’s keep this GROWING!
