Australian Jojoba oil is a popular natural oil with a variety of uses and benefits. Native to Arizona, California, and parts of Mexico, the Jojoba plant grows well in desert-like conditions. This means it's also perfect for growing in Australia.
We use Australian Virgin cold-pressed Jojoba oil in our Solid Perfume Balms as it's of the highest quality, retaining the maximum amount of nutrients to benefit your skin. Read on to find out more about this remarkable oil.
Firstly, what is Jojoba Oil?
The Jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis) is a small shrub with waxy, green leaves and small, yellow flowers. Its seeds contain a nutrient-rich liquid which can be extracted for medicinal and cosmetic use.
Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax and is composed of a number of different components, including fatty acids, triglycerides, and wax esters.
The main fatty acids found in Jojoba oil are oleic acid, linoleic acid, and palmitic acid. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties and can help to nourish and moisturize the skin. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is important for maintaining the integrity of the skin barrier and can help to improve the appearance of dry, damaged skin. Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid that helps to give jojoba oil its solid form at room temperature. In fact, in a Tasmanian winter, our Jojoba Oil bottles are often solid blocks!
Triglycerides are another important component of Jojoba oil. They are a type of lipid (fat) that is composed of three fatty acids attached to a glycerol molecule. Triglycerides make up the majority of the fats found in the human body and play a number of important roles, including providing energy and helping to maintain the structure of cell membranes.
Finally, wax esters are found in Jojoba oil. They are a type of ester that is formed from a fatty acid and a long-chain alcohol. In Jojoba oil, the wax esters are composed of a fatty acid and a long-chain monohydroxy alcohol called cetyl alcohol. Wax esters make up the majority of the oil produced by the Jojoba plant and are thought to be responsible for many of its unique properties, including its stability and ability to closely resemble human sebum.
What does "Cold pressed" and "Virgin" Jojoba Oil mean?
"Cold pressed" refers to the method of extracting oil from the jojoba seeds. In the cold pressing process, the seeds are mechanically pressed to extract the oil, without the use of heat or chemicals. This process helps to preserve the natural nutrients and qualities of the oil, making it a high-quality and healthy choice.
"Virgin" jojoba oil is another term that is often used to describe pure, unrefined jojoba oil. It refers to oil that has not been processed or refined in any way, and has been extracted from the seeds using a method such as cold pressing. Virgin jojoba oil is considered to be of higher quality than refined oil, as it retains more of its natural nutrients and properties.
Benefits of Australian Jojoba Oil
The unique qualities of Jojoba Oil make it a very versatile ingredient in many cosmetic applications.
Here are some the benefits:
- Moisturizes the skin: Jojoba oil is a natural emollient, which means it helps to soften and moisturize the skin. It can help to reduce dryness and flakiness and can be used on all skin types, including sensitive skin.
- Reduces inflammation: Jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory properties, which may make it effective in reducing redness, swelling, and irritation. It may be particularly helpful for people with conditions like eczema or rosacea.
- Fights acne: Jojoba oil has antimicrobial properties, which means it may help to kill bacteria that can cause acne. It can also help to unclog pores and regulate the production of oil on the skin.
- Strengthens hair: Jojoba oil can help to nourish and moisturize the hair, making it stronger and less prone to breakage. It can also help to add shine and luster to the hair. Some of our customers use a little of our Solid Perfume Balm to scent their hair.
- Moisturizes nails: Jojoba oil can help to nourish and moisturize the nails, making them less prone to breaking and splitting. It can also help to strengthen the cuticles, which can become dry and damaged.
So why do we use Australian Jojoba Oil in our Solid Perfume Balms? Well it's the ideal oil for three very simple reasons:
- it has no odour of its own which is very important when you want the fragrance from the essential oil blend to stand out.
- it is very moisturising and soothing on delicate skin (and also great for scenting hair)
- we think Australian cold pressed virgin Jojoba Oil is the BEST quality available and we're big believers in supporting Australian-made producers whenever we can
We're very proud of our beautiful Solid Perfume Balms and we'd love you to see how wonderful they are too. Give them a try and enjoy a natural perfume experience with premium skin-friendly ingredients.