Does Jojoba Oil Help in the Treatment of Acne?
Jojoba is a perennial plant widely used for cosmetic and pharmacological purposes. What we know as jojoba oil (a yellowish, clear, liquid substance) is actually a liquid wax ester.
This substance has great value as a carrier oil, i.e. it improves the absorption of cosmetics such as sunscreens and topical drugs. But perhaps the properties and uses of this plant go beyond the above mentioned. That is why today we going to address the question of whether jojoba oil helps in the treatment of acne.
In addition to being an excellent carrier substance, jojoba oil has been recognized as having numerous benefits for the skin. It has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties, prevent aging and improve wound healing. It is common to hear that it is a very effective product for treating acne problems. But to what extent is this true?
Does jojoba oil help fight acne?
If you suffer, or have suffered, from acne, it’s likely that someone around you has recommended using jojoba oil to combat it. The fact is that this product is widely considered a suitable treatment at a popular level. However, scientific evidence is still limited.
There still isn’t enough research to determine whether jojoba oil helps fight acne. However, some studies have been conducted that show promising results.
For example, in one study, participants used clay and jojoba oil face masks to treat the condition of their skin. After applying them two to three times a week for six weeks, acne and skin lesions were significantly reduced.
Other studies have shown that certain components of plant oils (including jojoba oil) are able to act on the skin by repairing the homeostasis of the skin barrier. This property is intended to be enhanced with emulsified variants.
The proven anti-inflammatory effect is beneficial for conditions such as acne or dermatitis. This, together with jojoba oil’s healing capacity, makes it a promising adjuvant.
Research carried out on mice even showed that transdermal application of jojoba oil has an effect on biochemical parameters in the blood. Within 30 minutes of application, serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids increased. This implies that certain components of the oil penetrate the skin, generating important changes.
Continue reading here: Can Lauric Acid Be Used to Treat Acne?
Recommendations for acne treatment
In short, jojoba oil can indeed be useful in combating acne. However, it isn’t recommended to use it as the only measure, as it isn’t a first-choice treatment.
To eliminate acne or reduce it significantly, it’s essential to be constant and persevere with some basic care. First of all, it’s necessary to keep the skin clean and dry so that the pores don’t become clogged or infected.
To do so, it’s advisable to wash your face twice a day with water and a mild soap specifically for acne-prone skin. Cleaning should be done by massaging in a circular motion, as excessive friction can damage the dermis.
On the other hand, avoid touching the skin on your face with dirty hands and, above all, don’t squeeze, touch, or pop pimples. Doing so increases the risk of creating a wound that may lead to a scar. In addition, an infection is likely to spread.
Additionally, benzoyl peroxide, applied topically, has an important bactericidal and anti-inflammatory action. Using over-the-counter creams and lotions made with this compound can help fight it.
Find out more here: Maskne: What Is It and How Can You Avoid It?
Always consult a professional
Ultimately, acne is a condition that can occur in both men and women of all ages and can arise from a variety of causes. Sometimes, its appearance is the result of age-related hormonal alterations; this is what happens during puberty.
Other times it’s related to the use of hormonal contraceptives. Certain types of diet can even increase the propensity to suffer from it. Therefore, it’s of utmost importance to maintain proper facial hygiene and be careful with your skin.
Keeping the skin always hydrated and using specific products for our type of dermis can also be of great help. Likewise, certain drugs or phytotherapeutic treatments, such as jojoba oil, are adjuvants.
However, when faced with such a condition, the best thing to do is to go and see an expert. The dermatologist will be able to analyze the origin with greater precision and recommend the most appropriate approach. If we want to avoid mistakes that can further damage our skin, it’s necessary to put ourselves in their hands.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
- Meier, L., Stange, R., Michalsen, A., & Uehleke, B. (2012). Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne–results of a prospective, observational pilot study. Complementary Medicine Research, 19(2), 75-79.
- Matsumoto, Y., Ma, S., Tominaga, T., Yokoyama, K., Kitatani, K., Horikawa, K., & Suzuki, K. (2019). Acute Effects of Transdermal Administration of Jojoba Oil on Lipid Metabolism in Mice. Medicina, 55(9), 594.
- Kubitschek-KM, Amapá–Rodovia Juscelino, and Jardim Marco Zero. “Development of jojoba oil (Simmondsia chinensis (Link) CK Schneid.) based nanoemulsions.” Lat. Am. J. Pharm 33.3 (2014): 459-63.
- López-Estebaranz, J. L., P. Herranz-Pinto, and B. Dréno. “Consenso español para establecer una clasificación y un algoritmo de tratamiento del acné.” Actas Dermo-Sifiliográficas 108.2 (2017): 120-131.
- Asz-Sigall, Daniel, Isabel C. Sánchez-Yarzgaray, and Pilar Simón-Díaz. “Terapia dermocosmética del acné y tratamiento de cicatrices.” Dermatología Revista Mexicana 63.S1 (2020): 46-52.
- Sánchez-Dueñas, Luis Enrique, and Andrea Tovar-Garza. “Tratamiento farmacológico tópico en pacientes con acné.” Dermatología Revista Mexicana 63.S1 (2020): 33-40.
