Benefits of Jojoba Oil

Sources: http://www.acne.org/jojoba-oil.html; http://www.buzzle.com/articles/uses-of-jojoba-oil-jojoba-oil-benefits.html; https://www.desertessence.com/top-10-uses-jojoba-oil; 

What is it?

Jojoba oil is obtained from jojoba plant, which is a perennial shrub that grows in northwestern Mexico and parts of California and Arizona.  The oil is a liquefied form of vegetable wax and is found in the seeds of the jojoba plant in which half of the seeds weight is the oil content.  In results this substance is a light golden in color and is odorless.  Some argue that it is not actually “Oil”, but rather what is called a wax ester.  It is theorized that applying jojoba to the skin can "trick" the skin into thinking it is producing enough oil, thus balancing oil production. The bottom line for acne-prone people is that jojoba oil is non-comedogenic so you can use it without fear.

Uses

Eye and Face Makeup Remover
Add a few drops of jojoba oil to fingers or to a cotton ball and wipe over eyes and face. Rinse off with water and follow with regular cleanser.

Facial Cleanser and Moisturizer
To cleanse normal to dry skin, apply with a few drops on fingers or cotton ball. Remove with water. Pat a few more drops on to damp skin for a lasting moisture treatment.

Body Moisturizer
Apply immediately after shower or bath, while skin is still damp. It seals in moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

Massage and Bath Oil
Great for a massage therapist or for use at home. Perfect for sensitive skin. Add a few drops to your bath to leave skin moisturized, soft, and smooth.

Foot and Hand Softener
Use alone or add a few drops to your regular moisturizer. For an intense foot treatment, apply oil, wrap in gauze and put on socks. Leave on for at least one hour. Feet will be beautifully soft and smooth.

Hair and Scalp Massage
Add a few drops to hands. Massage into scalp to relieve dryness.

Deep Conditioning Treatment for Hair
Smooth a quarter-sized amount of oil over damp hair, focusing on ends. Wait 5-10 minutes before shampooing out. To help mend split ends, rub one or two drops onto ends.

Lip Conditioner
Apply to finger and smooth onto lips. Works great as an overnight treatment

Cuticle Oil
Apply a few drops to rough, dry cuticles at least once per day.

Shaving Prep and Aftershave
Apply to beard or desired area beneath your shaving product. Helps prevent razor burn and leaves skin smooth and soft. Apply directly after shaving to effectively soothe and moisturize skin.

Carrier Oil
Dilute a few drops of your favorite essential oil, such as Tea Tree Oil or Lavender, in Jojoba Oil prior to massaging into the skin.

Summer Hair Protection
Massage a quarter-sized amount to hair before going swimming to protect it from chlorine and salt water.

Drawbacks

At high amounts (over 6 drops) it can lend a shine to the skin. It is best to be conservative with it during the day (5-6 drops at a time). Moderate usage should actually balance oil production and reduce shine. At night before bed, feel free to use as much as you like.

My Own Personal Opinion

I took me a while to finally try Jojoba Oil because when I see/hear the word “Oil” I instantly thought it will be greasy, shiny and will just sit on top of my skin and never be absorbed and will cause breakouts.  After hearing several rave reviews I thought I give it a shot and that changed my opinion completely to the point where I can’t get enough of it!  Usually I don’t apply the product directly to my skin, what I do is mix it with my moisturizer and sometimes with my toner and I can feel my skin feel extra moisturized especially during cold windy seasons.  Did I also mention I use this product for my hair and hands as well?  It’s multifunctional! 

How I use it

For me I don't like to apply Jojoba oil directly on my skin, I usually prefer to mix it with my face or body moisturizer, toner and serum.  Otherwise for my nails and hair I would apply it directly.  

With a moisturizer
If I feel my moisturizer needs an extra push of hydration I like to mix the jojoba oil in them.  Especially the gel moisturizers, since they’re only good for summer due to its light consistency but if you mix jojoba oil it can be used during colder seasons.

With a Toner
Same as the moisturizer I use it with a toner to give that extra boost of hydration.  What I do is put the toner on the cotton squares and then add a few drops of Jojoba oil on top and directly pat them over my skin. 

Where to Purchase and Costs

You can buy Jojoba Oil at any organic or health food shops and even online.  I purchase mine from iHerb.com.  The cost varies from $8 - $30 depending on the size, brand and where you purchase it from.   Price is good consider that you only need a few drops of the product.

Final Thoughts

Overall Jojoba Oil should be a stable product for everyone, if it doesn't work out on your skin at least try it on your hair or nails.

Hope you enjoyed today's post, any questions or comments please leave them on my comment section and don't forget to follow for more future post if you haven't!

Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I purchase the product with my own money.  Please note that everyone's skin is different, what may work well for me doesn't mean it would work well for you, please do your research before trying out a new product.

Skincare recommendations for Fall - Winter Seasons (Combination to Dry Skin)

As the cold seasons slowly creeping its way into the east coast, my skin will start to lose its moisture and produce less oil and that means dry skin.  As of now I'm starting to use more hydrating skincare into my everyday routine to stay moisturized.  I change my products around most of the time, I'm not the kind of person that stay loyal to one thing however if I do find something my skin really enjoy I will continue to repurchase until I find something else better.

So far these following items I feel does the job well on my skin.  Please note that everyone's skin is different, what may work well for me doesn't mean it would work well for you, please do your research before trying out a new product.

Cleansers
It is very important to use a gentle non-drying cleansers for dry skin.  Every morning and night I enjoy using the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser and to remove my makeup I use the Kose Softymo Speedy Cleaning Oil at night.

Where to purchase: Kose Softymo Speedy Cleaning Oil can be purchased at Sasa.com

Toners
Most people skip toners in their skincare regime thinking it does nothing but if you use a hydrating toner, I think it makes a big difference for hydrating dry skin.  I use the Haruhada Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Skin Lotion as a toner or sometimes I like to spray the Etude House Collagen Moistfull Essence In Primer all over the face.

Where to Purchase: Both at Sasa.com

Serums
Another important step in skincare that is usually ignored is a good hydrating serum.  The two I enjoy using the most is De Herbs Hyaluronic Acid Serum and the 40 Carrots Carrot + C Vitamin Serum.

Where to Purchase: De Herbs at Sasa.com, 40 Carrots at any health food shops or online.

Moisturizers
As a day moisturizer I enjoy using the Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40, it is very important to use SPF all 4 seasons.  For night time I use the Sibu Sea Buckthorn daytime facial cream or the Alpha Hydrox Enhanced Lotion 10% Glycolic AHA.

Where to Purchase: Josie Maran at Sephora, Sibu at any health food shops or online and Alpha Hydrox at Ulta

Extra care and Mask
One or two times a week if my skin needs a extra boost of hydration I like to add a sleeping night cream or a sheet mask.  I use all time favorite the Missha Misa Golden Snowflake Overnight Cream and the My Scheming Deep Ocean Water Mask.

Where to Purchase: Missha at Misshaus.com, My Scheming at Sasa.com

Eyecream
For eye cream I love using the Missha Misa Golden Snowflake eyecream, very emollient and moisturizing under my eye.

Where to Purchase: Misshaus.com

Thank you all for reading!

Disclaimer: I purchase everything.

Fall Skincare Routine (2012)

It is pretty much the same as my last Summer skincare routine but a few slight changes here and there.  Usually in the fall my skin gets a bit dryer but still oily in the t-zone and occasional breakouts on the chin.

Morning

1) Target Brand Acne Cream:  After I cleanse my face I found the most effective way to prevent future acne breakouts is putting on a thin layer of acne cream on area where I breakout the most which is on my chin.  Now keep in mind that they can dry out the skin so I make sure I moisturized my skin well. 

2) Shiseido White Lucent Toner:  Before applying acne cream I apply toner, honestly this toner doesn't do much to my skin, I found other brands that does a much better job.  At the moment I try to use this up before I can more on to my favorite ones.

3) Naruko Rose and Snow Fungus Serum: Love this serum, perfect for Spring and Fall when I have slightly dry skin, it really does help moisturized my face.  It's not a heavy as some serum and it feels really nice on the skin. Highly recommend, then again I recommend a lot of Naruko products in general!

4) Lancome Bienfait Multivital eye cream with SPF 28: This is not the best eye cream but eye cream with SPF should be a daily essential if you go out.  Once I'm done with this product I would like to try out other brands in the market.

5) Merlot Grapeseed Moisturizer with SPF 15: Great day moisturizer, I use this all throughout summer and will continue to use it in fall but as the temperature drops into winter I will need a heavier cream as the formula in this product is very light. 



 Night

1) & 2):  Same as my morning routine.

3)Physician's Formula Hydrating Eye Cream: This is a good basic eye cream, it's in a thin gel like consistency so it feels very nice on the lower eye lids, great for warmer weather and maybe fall if you under eyes aren't dry. 

4) Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free Treament with 10% Glycolic AHA: this is more of a chemical exfoliate so I only use this before bed time and a little goes a long way.  I love this stuff it makes my skin really smooth in the morning, will definitely continue to use this in the furture.

5) Neutrogena Fresh Moisture: Unfortunately this product is discontinued but it does feels a lot like the "Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Refreshing Gel Cream" (Review Here).   I love the feel of this product on the skin at night, it feels very light and refreshing.

Disclaimer: I purchase everything and keep in mind that products that work for me doesn't always work for everyone, please do some research before you try out a new product.