not your average 'Jo'

hello, all! today i'm going to be talking about a new product that i've been testing out for about a week now with pretty stellar results. it's one of those amazing multi-purpose products and we all know how i love those, so i thought i would share it with you guys so you could possibly benefit from it, too. read on!

Jojoba Oil (pronounced "Ho-Ho-Ba") is actually a liquid wax produced in the seeds of the Jojoba plant, a shrub that grows naturally in Arizona, California, and Mexico. the fascinating thing that sets Jojoba Oil apart from other oils is that it's chemical make-up is extremely similar to human sebum, the oil that our skin produces. because it's so close in consistency to our own skin's oils, when Jojoba Oil is applied topically it actually tricks our skin into thinking it's already produced sufficient oil and so it stops the skin from releasing more, thereby drastically reducing the problem many people have with overly oily skin! i know it seems contradictory to add more oil to oily skin but it works wonders. Jojoba Oil is also an excellent moisturizer because it prevents the skin from losing water while allowing the skin to breathe, unlike petroleum jelly or other barriers that lock in moisture. although it's an oil, when massaged into the skin it quickly absorbs and doesn't feel greasy or uncomfortable at all, something i was hesitant to believe until i saw it with my own eyes!

what i've been doing at night is applying Jojoba Oil after i've washed and blotted my skin dry. i dispense 2 drops of Jojoba Oil into my palm and then dip my fingertips into it, dotting it on my skin and massaging in gently. the key to getting good absorption is using the right amount, and 2 drops is more than enough to cover my face, even leaving me with a bit to rub into my elbows. if you used too much i think you might be left with a greasy feel and that wouldn't be good, so go easy on it and start off with one drop, adding more if needed. after i give it a few moments to settle i pat on a tiny bit of moisturizer (i'm currently using Ojon's Tawaka Ancient Tribal Rejuvenating Cream) and i'm done. when i wake up in the morning, my skin is exceptionally soft and calm. the persistent redness that i've had ever since the Hope In A Jar debacle seems to be getting better, which makes me deliriously happy! i've had no breakouts or clogged pores, and actually on the contrary, the tiny pores on and around my nose that i'm constantly battling with have been clear as can be. i'm sure this is because blackheads are just oxidized sebum and since my skin isn't producing excess oil, there is no sebum around to be caught in the pores. and that's A-OK with me!

using Jojoba Oil as a skin moisturizer is just one of it's many, many uses. it's wonderful when used on the hair and specifically the scalp, since Jojoba Oil loosens and dissolves the hardened sebum that can clog and eventually kill hair follicles. on the hair, Jojoba Oil removes product build-up and penetrates deep into the shaft, strengthening and hydrating the strands while also majorly increasing shine and your natural hair color. used as a deep-conditioning treatment, Jojoba oil will leave your hair soft, strong and shiny and your scalp deeply cleansed! here are just a few more of the things Jojoba Oil can do for you:

• fights wrinkles with it's high tocopherol levels that act as an antioxidant
  
• helps the skin to heal
  
• provides relief from psoriasis and eczema
  
• moisturizes without blocking or affecting pores and hair follicles
• removes makeup
• treats dandruff
• can be used to shave with

ok, if you're not convinced by now that this is a product everyone should have in their bathroom, you must be unreachable! this is an oil that packs a lot of punch for it's price and can be used in so many ways! the brand i purchased is Desert Essence (pictured above) and it's a very popular distributor of Jojoba Oil, i would recommend seeking this particular version out. i found mine at Fred Meyer, and i know they also carry it at natural grocery stores like Whole Foods and New Seasons. if all else fails you can order it online from Desert Essence's website.

do you use Jojoba Oil? if so, what are your favorite uses? let me know in the comments!