We all get wrinkles when we grow older – it has been a known sign of aging. For years, people attribute a person’s age to how they look physically. When you have visible wrinkles, they may assume your age. 

Skin aging can take many forms – wrinkles, fine lines, sagginess, and dryness. It loses elasticity as we age because of a decline in collagen production. The process is worsened by a multitude of factors, including stress, unhealthy lifestyle habits, pollution, and sun exposure. 

However, there are positive steps you can take to look younger and reduce the appearance of skin aging signs. 

Recently, the use of night oils has gained immense popularity as a remedy to prevent skin aging. One of the most popular ones, jojoba oil, is earning a popular place in modern skincare -- with good reason.

But First, What is Jojoba Oil?

The jojoba plant, scientifically known as Simmodsia chinensis, is a hearty, perennial plant that grows in North America. The oil is derived from the seeds of the shrub, which is similar to the oil in human skin, also called sebum. 

The jojoba oil accounts for about 50 percent of the jojoba seed and is extracted through cold-pressing, a procedure that helps maintain the rich nutritional value of the oil. The oil contains a light-gold colored liquid wax ester, the main storage lipid of the plant. 

What makes jojoba oil unique is, it has high stability, and low volatility. The oil, when extracted, is non-toxic, pure, biodegradable, and resistant to rancidity. 

This means that jojoba oil is safe to use as a topical or cosmetic product. It is hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, which means it does not clog the pores. 

Further, jojoba oil contains 98 percent pure waxes, including wax esters, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and a few free fatty acids. It also contains steroids and vitamins. 

Jojoba Oil is Similar to Human Skin Oil

Human skin secretes a natural oil, called sebum, to protect and lubricate the skin and hair. Produced by the sebaceous glands, it contains triglycerides, wax esters, fatty acids, cholesterol, and cholesterol esters to form protection on the skin’s surface.

Jojoba oil’s consistency is thought to mimic sebum, which plays a pivotal role in supporting overall skin health. Sebum maintains moisture and protects the skin from infection.  Over the past years, jojoba oil has been used in cosmetic products to treat several skin conditions, including acne, dermatitis, and eczema. 

Apart from this, jojoba oil has been widely used as an emollient agent to soften the skin, anti-acne and anti-psoriasis agent, and anti-inflammatory oil. It has antimicrobial, anti-oxidative stress, analgesic, and antipyretic properties. 

Recently, jojoba oil has gained popularity as a natural oil to help prevent skin aging. 

Jojoba Oil and Skin Aging

Jojoba oil has many health benefits for the skin. All its properties help prevent skin aging, including maintaining moisture, warding off oxidative stress, and promoting collagen synthesis. 

Let’s tackle each one in-depth to better understand the role of jojoba oil in keeping the skin healthy and young-looking. 

It Hydrates the Skin

Jojoba oil is a natural humectant ingredient that works by attracting water to the epidermis or the top layer of the skin. As a result, it keeps the skin hydrated, preventing the occurrence of bacterial infections, skin dryness, and acne, among others. 

Since jojoba oil is similar to sebum, it does not clog the pores and penetrate deep into the layers of the skin, providing added moisture. It also acts as a substitute for skin oil to help protect and keep the skin lubricated. 

A Natural Antioxidant

The oil helps ward off oxidative stress caused by free radicals. A natural antioxidant, it helps keep the skin healthy by reducing the damage caused by sun exposure and toxins found in the environment. It’s also rich in skin-nourishing antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin D. 

Promotes Collagen Synthesis

Jojoba oil is known to stimulate collagen synthesis. Collagen is a protein molecule made up of amino acids that provides structural support to connective tissues. It is rigid and resistant to stretching, keeping the skin elastic. 

As we age, our collagen levels in the body decline. Our skin becomes less elastic, causing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. 

Jojoba oil penetrates past the top layer of the skin, where cell regeneration and synthesis occur. It provides similar moisturizing properties to the skin’s natural oils and promotes collagen synthesis. Hence, the oil helps prevent the formation of wrinkles, fine lines, and creases. 

In a Nutshell…

All these properties help make jojoba oil an effective and promising ingredient in most cosmetic products. Some of the popular anti-aging products used today contain jojoba oil as the main ingredient. For instance, the Nourishing Night Oil (NNO) enriched with Vitamin E, contains jojoba oil and vitamin E, both have antioxidant properties. 

Apart from this, the night oil is similar to the skin’s natural oil, making it ideal for use to moisturize, hydrate, and protect the skin. Other skincare products containing jojoba oil include Leven Rose Pure Cold Pressed Natural Unrefined Moisturizer for Skin, Hair, and Nails, NOW Solutions Certified Organic Jojoba Oil, and Glamglow Glowstarter Mega Illuminating Moisturizer, to name a few. 

Jojoba oil is a promising oil used to promote healthier, radiant, and young-looking skin. Apart from moisturizing the skin to make it plumper, it also helps prevent skin aging. It’s no wonder natural oil is gaining attention worldwide. It’s known as a magic oil that works wonders on the skin and tackles various skin conditions. 

Discover more about skin aging here.