It's not news that jojoba oil has long been used as a light-feeling base with bonus omega-9 and vitamin E content. Or, that it demonstrates skin repair benefits—but the latter is gaining new interest from the dermatology community.
According to ingredient supplier Jojoba Desert, jojoba oil is widely used in personal care formulas ranging from baby care to anti-aging. In fact, the company points to a 2011 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showing jojoba liquid wax improves wound healing.
Wound Healing
More specifically, scratch experiments showed the wax accelerated the wound closure of both keratinocytes and fibroblasts, which was revealed by Western blot to be strictly Ca2+ dependent. In addition, the wax stimulated collagen I synthesis in fibroblasts.
The company also reports jojoba oil has a unique chemical structure that is similar to 25% of human sebum and is safe for use on all skin types. The same 2011 study confirmed the cytotoxity of jojoba liquid wax to be low, and concluded it could be used in the treatment of wounds in clinical settings.
Clinical Relevance
Findings such as these—along with increases in microbial resistance and the contrary antibacterial properties of many essential oils; plus, the shift toward complementary traditional medicine—no doubt informed a more recent review, published in the Archives of Dermatological Research.
This work sought to collate evidence-based information on the toxicity and efficacy of not only essential oils but related carrier oils; including jojoba oil. According to the article abstract, essential oils are often diluted due to the risk of topical adverse effects such as dermatitis. Yet, current information on this subject is restricted to general aromatherapy books, pamphlets and anecdotal evidence rather than true experimental approaches.
'This review provides a platform for further studies, especially if essential oils are to receive credence in the scientific field.'
As such, this review identifies recommended carrier and essential oils used in dermatology to gather evidence in support of their combined use. Aloe vera gel, for example, was supported by many wound-healing studies but others have been largely neglected. Furthermore, little data is available on the interactive profile of the carrier oil with essential oils.
According to these authors, "This review provides a platform for further studies, especially if essential oils are to receive credence in the scientific field."
Commercial Relevance
Jojoba oil's aesthetic properties are especially relevant today as formulators seek natural ingredients to replace synthetic chemistries and a cleaner label; not to mention the fact that bonus omega-9 and vitamin E content imparts added value to products.
Adva Ambar, global marketing and brand director of Jojoba Desert wrote, "This acknowledgment is very important especially nowadays, when manufacturers are seeking natural ingredients that would replace synthetics; and of course, for ingredients that give added value to their products, to become innovative and trendy."
She added, "[Jojoba oil] embraces one of the hottest trends nowadays for healthier, more natural [solutions], less ingredients and, of course, sustainability in all manners."
