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Jo

Jojoba Oil

Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil · Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil · Simmondsia ChinensisBarrier

Liquid wax (technically not an oil) that resembles human sebum. Often well-tolerated by oily skin.

What it does

Jojoba is a liquid wax ester rather than a triglyceride oil — its molecular structure is closer to human sebum than to most plant oils. That similarity makes it less likely to disrupt barrier function and easier for oily skin to tolerate. As a finishing layer over moisturizer or as a cleansing oil, jojoba is among the more universally tolerated facial oils.

The evidence, graded

expert consensusFungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) is fed by fatty acids and esters with C11-C24 chain lengths. Oils in that range are frequently reported to worsen it, including oils marketed as pore-friendly or 'safe for acne-prone skin'. Squalane, MCT, and mineral oil fall outside the range and are typically tolerated.Rubenstein 2014 · Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology ↗

Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.

Also known as

simmondsia chinensis seed oil, jojoba

Pairs worth knowing

Squalane · works together ↗Ceramides · works together ↗Shea Butter · works together ↗

Read more

Routines · 5 minOil Cleansing for Non-Acne-Prone Skin: Does It Work?Oil cleansing has a clearer case for dry and normal skin than for acne-prone. Here is when the method helps, when it does not, and how to pick an oil.

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