My skin’s drier than a liquor-free county in Arkansas. Sound familiar? As my hands began feeling like last fall’s raked leaves, something my dermatologist said over the summer surfaced, “Olive oil’s molecules are too large to be of much help.”  Okay. Then what small-molecule oil I can use on my skin? Since I didn’t think to ask her that in the moment, Dr. Google stepped up with an answer — jojoba oil. I have been amazed by what I have learned about this hardy desert shrub. I’m skimming from my reading here. If you’re inerested in knowing more, Dr. Google will see you now.

1. Botanical name: Simmondsia chinensis

2. While native to the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona/California and northwestern Mexico, jojoba is also cultivated in desert climates worldwide. For centuries, Native Americans have used jojoba oil as a traditional salve to treat skin conditions, heal wounds and nourish skin and hair.  

3. Once gathered, jojoba seeds are cold-pressed to release their oil, which is not actually an oil but a liquid wax closely resembling human sebum.  This chemical similarity makes jojoba naturally non-toxic, non-allergernic and noncomedogenic.

4. Jojoba has a long shelf life, up to five years. (But if it’s been on your shelf for five years you must not be using it!)

5. Use jojoba as a carrier in combination with essential oils.

My Yuka app (see last issue’s Head to Toe drawer) gave NOW’s jojoba oil a 100/100 ranking. I began using it a few days ago. My hands already feel a bit less crinkly. Tonight I’ll try it on my hair.  Stay tuned.

Now for the legalese: I receive no products or reumneration for this post. I  am not a doctor nor any sort of health professional. This post is anecdotal and not offered as any sort of medical advice.

Photo courtesy of Debra Darvick