Top 8 Jojoba Oil Benefits For Your Hair & How To Use It

Jojoba or Simmondsia chinensis shrubs are natively found in desert-like regions of North America such as California, Southern Arizona, northwestern Mexico, and Egypt. The liquid wax ester extracted from jojoba seeds is called jojoba oil. For ages, this odorless and colorless oil has been used in hair care and skincare routines by native Americans.

In India, jojoba is one of the important oilseed crops, which has been cultivated in different areas of Rajasthan[1]. Also, it is found to be well suitable for all hair types. In this article, let’s understand more about jojoba oil, its benefits for your hair, and effective ways to use it.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

‘’Jojoba oil has light, cooling, and moist properties, which makes it highly beneficial for people with aggravated Vata and Pitta doshas. However, jojoba oil is also safe for people with aggravated Kapha dosha as it is lighter.’’

-Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

Highlights:

• Ayurvedic View On Jojoba Oil
• Is Jojoba Oil Good For Your Hair?
• What Are The Benefits Of Jojoba Oil For Hair?
• How To Use Jojoba Oil For Hair?
• Does Jojoba Oil Have Side Effects?
• Frequently Asked Questions About Jojoba Oil

Ayurvedic View On Jojoba Oil

According to Ayurveda, every human is made of three vital life forces- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, which need to be at balanced levels for the person to be in a healthy state. Any vitiation occurring in any of these life energies results in different conditions in the body, including hair and scalp problems.

• Aggravated Vata dosha causes conditions such as dehydrated scalp, dry, brittle, and frizzy hair, split ends, hair thinning, etc.
• Aggravated Pitta dosha causes greasy scalp with scalp acne, scalp pain, and inflammation, premature greying, hair loss, etc.
• Aggravated Kapha dosha results in oily scalp with dandruff, limp and lifeless hair, hair loss, etc.

‘’Jojoba oil has light, cooling, and moist properties, which makes it highly beneficial for people with aggravated Vata and Pitta doshas. However, jojoba oil is also safe for people with aggravated Kapha dosha as it is lighter(monounsaturated oil) and prevents blockage of hair follicles,’’ says Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix.

Is Jojoba Oil Good For Your Hair?

Jojoba oil is loaded with essential nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, E, D, zinc, copper, chromium, omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, etc. which promote faster hair growth.

‘’The molecular structure of jojoba oil is similar to the structure of natural sebum produced by the human scalp[2]. Thus, it can be absorbed into the scalp easily and strengthens the hair follicles,’’ says Dr. Zeel.

Also, jojoba oil can lock the moisture in your scalp and hair exceptionally well. Jojoba oil is light and non-greasy, which makes it ideal to use as a leave-in conditioner for your dry and damaged hair.

What Are The Benefits Of Jojoba Oil For Hair?

1. Moisturizes Hair From Inside Out

Due to its light nature, jojoba oil is impermeable and sits on the outer surface of your hair shaft. This, in turn, protects your hair from dryness and breakage by sealing the moisture in your hair and scalp. However, if you want deep conditioning, it’s better to combine jojoba oil with other heavier oils to use.

2. Boosts Hair Thickness

The rich vitamins B, C and E and minerals of copper and zinc present in jojoba oil help in nourishing and strengthening your hair follicles. Thus, jojoba oil prevents hair loss and promotes the regrowth of thicker hair.

3. Nourishes Hair Efficiently

Because of the similarity of chemical structures, jojoba oil fills in for the human sebum easily wherever needed on your hair shaft. For example, it is difficult for sebum that is produced on the scalp to reach the mid-shaft and tips of your hair to nourish. Applying jojoba oil to your hair can do the work efficiently. Also, you can use jojoba oil to nourish even the hard-to-reach areas of curly textured hair.

4. Reduces Frizziness

Your hair becomes frizzy when it loses moisture. Jojoba oil is best to tame your frizzy hair as it seals in the moisture well in your hair shaft.

5. Maintains Scalp pH Balance

Jojoba oil has natural antibacterial[3] and antifungal properties. Thus, it can help in restoring the natural pH balance of your scalp without upsetting the sebaceous glands. This allows jojoba oil to moisturize your hair without making it overly greasy.

6. Prevents Dandruff Buildup

By restoring your scalp’s natural pH balance, jojoba helps to regulate the sebum secretion in your scalp. It signals your hair follicles that there is sufficient moisture on your scalp, which in turn prevents the overproduction of sebum and the buildup of greasy dandruff on your scalp.

7. Promotes Hair Growth

Besides moisturizing your hair, jojoba oil helps in dissolving the dirt, sebum deposits, and other built-ups on your scalp. This scalp-cleansing effect of jojoba oil further eases new hair growth from the healthy follicles [5].

8. Repairs Damaged Hair

Frequent heat styling can damage your hair structure, leading to brittle hair, breakage, and split ends. Applying jojoba oil to your hair before heat styling can minimize this hair damage. Also, jojoba oil fills in the cracks of damaged hair and promotes its faster reparation.

How To Use Jojoba Oil For Hair?

You can use jojoba oil directly or by combining it with other oils or hair products.

• In its pure form, apply a few drops of warm jojoba oil to your scalp and roots. Massage your scalp and hair for a few minutes and leave it for half an hour to overnight before hair wash.
• Also, you can add a few drops of jojoba oil to your shampoo. This helps in strengthening your hair.
• You can also apply a few drops of jojoba oil to your damp hair after hair wash and before heat styling.

A. Hair Treatments With Jojoba Oil

1. Jojoba Oil + Honey + Egg Mask For Dry & Damaged Hair

• Add 1 spoon each of jojoba oil and honey into one egg yolk.
• Mix the ingredients well and apply the mixture from the roots to your hair tips.
• Put on a shower cap and leave the mask for half an hour.
• Later, use warm water and mild shampoo to remove the mask.
• Repeat it twice a week.

2. Jojoba Oil + Lemon Juice For Oily Hair

• Add half spoon of lemon juice and a spoon of propolis tincture into one spoon of jojoba oil.
• Mix the ingredients well and apply to your scalp and hair.
• After 20-25 minutes, rinse your hair with lukewarm water.
• Repeat it once a week.

3. Jojoba Oil + Cocoa Butter For Dull Hair

• Mix one spoon of cocoa butter and one spoon of jojoba oil in a steel bowl.
• Place the steel bowl with mixture in a bowl of hot water for heating.
• Stir the mixture well and pour a spoon of vodka into it.
• After cooling, apply the mask from the roots to hair tips.
• After 15-20 minutes, wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
• Repeat it once every two weeks.

4. Jojoba Oil + Ginger Essential Oil To Arrest Hair Loss

• Add 4-6 drops of ginger essential oil into a spoon of jojoba oil.
• Mix well and apply the oil to your scalp and hair.
• After half an hour, wash your hair with a mild shampoo.
• Repeat it once a week.

5. Jojoba Oil + Coconut Oil For Hair Regrowth

• Combine 1 spoon of jojoba oil, 1 spoon of coconut oil, and half a spoon of lemon juice.
• Add 2-3 drops of ylang-ylang essential oil into the mixture.
• Apply the oil to your scalp and hair.
• Put on a shower cap and shampoo your hair after 40 minutes.
• Repeat it once a week.

6. Jojoba Oil + Almond Oil For Split Ends

• Add 1-2 spoons of almond oil into 2-3 spoons of jojoba oil.
• Massage the oil into your scalp and hair for a few minutes, focussing on the split ends.
• After 20 minutes, wash your hair with cold water and then shampoo again.
• Repeat it once a week.

7. Jojoba Oil + Avocado For Shiny Hair

• Blend one avocado fruit into a smooth pulp.
• Add 2 spoons of jojoba oil into the pulp
• Mix well and apply it to your hair.
• Rinse it off with normal water after half an hour.
• Repeat it twice a week.

8. Jojoba Oil + Kefir For Dandruff

• Add 100ml of kefir with a small fat percentage into 20-25 gms of jojoba oil.
• Apply the mixture to your scalp and leave it for an hour.
• Later, rinse your scalp and hair with lukewarm water.
• Repeat it once a week.

Does Jojoba Oil Have Side Effects?

In general, jojoba oil is highly safe for most people when applied topically. Allergic reactions resulting in rash or hives are the only side effect of jojoba oil that one can experience in a very rare case.

Anaphylaxis is another rare side effect of using degraded quality jojoba oil. Make sure you never apply jojoba oil which is in dark amber. The easiest way to use jojoba oil safely is to buy hair care products such as hair oils, shampoos, or conditioners which have jojoba oil as an ingredient.

Also, jojoba oil is only for topical application. You should never consume jojoba oil orally as it contains chemicals such as erucic acid, which can cause heart damage and other unwanted side effects. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers need to seek the doctor’s advice before using jojoba oil for the scalp and hair.

Vedix Tip: Dr. Zeel recommends doing a patch test before using jojoba oil on your scalp. If you experience any reaction within 48 hours, then you should discontinue using jojoba oil on your scalp and hair.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jojoba Oil

1. Can You Leave Jojoba Oil In Your Hair Overnight?

Yes, you can apply jojoba oil to your hair before bedtime and leave it overnight. This will give the oil more time to get absorbed into your hair and make it much softer. You can wash the hair normally with a mild Ayurvedic shampoo the next morning.

2. Should You Apply Jojoba Oil To Wet Or Dry Hair?

You can apply jojoba oil to wet as well as dry hair. Whatever the case, your scalp and hair need to be clean before applying the oil for efficient absorption. Applying jojoba oil to wet hair gives long-lasting hydration to your scalp and hair. Also, using jojoba oil for a hot oil treatment on dry hair before hair wash provides deep- conditioning to your hair.

3. How Often Should You Use Jojoba Oil In Your Hair?

You can add jojoba oil into your everyday hair care routine by massaging a few drops into your scalp as needed. However, you can use jojoba oil for a leave-in treatment once a week if you have severely dry and damaged hair. It can be used every two weeks if you have normal hair. And, you should use it less often if you have oily and limp hair.

4. Which Is Better: Argan Or Jojoba Oil For Hair?

While both argan and jojoba oils are effective in moisturizing your scalp and promoting rich hair growth, jojoba oil could be a better choice as it closely mimics the natural sebum produced by your scalp tissue. Thus, jojoba oil can be absorbed deeper into your scalp, and thereby help in regulating the sebum production and clearing up any congested follicles.

The Last Word

With the richness of several vitamins and minerals, jojoba oil is one of the great ingredients used in different hair care products and hair loss treatments. While purchasing jojoba oil, ensure that it is organic and does not contain preservatives that might cause other side effects.

Adding jojoba oil to your hair care routine would give you smoother, lustrous, and well-conditioned manes.

At Vedix, we formulate a customized Ayurvedic hair care regimen based on your hair type which addresses your unique hair needs.