It’s pretty well-known that jojoba oil can work wonders on the skin. Did you know that it can do amazing things for hair as well?
Most people love their hair, and it requires a lot of attention. Well, curly hair needs even more extra care and attention because it’s more likely to dry out. This is where jojoba oil steps in.
After using jojoba oil and realizing how much softer and thicker your hair becomes, you’ll never want to go back.
Below, I cover everything you need to know about jojoba oil and curly hair including what the benefits are of using jojoba oil on your curly hair, whether it helps hair grow faster and exactly how to use jojoba oil on your curls.
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil comes from the jojoba plant which is naturally found in parts of Northern Mexico, Arizona, and California. People have been using it for centuries because of the way it moisturizes both skin and hair.
Despite what it’s called, jojoba oil is not really an oil at all. Instead, it is a wax ester filled with vitamins, nutrients, and fatty acids all designed for nourishment.
Because it is a wax ester, it’s unique. The composition of jojoba oil is almost identical to sebum — the oil that our skin naturally produces. Because of this, it makes a great product to use for both our skin and hair.
Is Jojoba Oil Good For Curly Hair?
Jojoba oil does not work like other oils because it is not technically an oil. For example, castor oil is very popularly used on hair because it penetrates the hair and moisturizes it. Conversely, jojoba oil cannot penetrate the hair, so it does not moisturize it directly.
Instead, jojoba oil acts like a sealant, locking in the moisture that is already in your hair. For this reason, it’s a good idea to use jojoba oil in combination with another product that penetrates the hair and truly moisturizes.
Because jojoba oil is great at locking in moisture, it makes a great product for curly hair in particular. The problem with curly hair is that it’s more prone to breakage than straight hair, so you have to take extra care with moisturizing it.
What Are The Jojoba Oil Benefits For Curly Hair?
There are many ways in which jojoba oil can benefit your hair whether it’s curly or not, but it has added benefits for those with curly locks.
It Hydrates & Repairs Damage
The best part about jojoba oil is that it can help your curls look beautiful naturally. People with curly hair often have naturally dry hair to begin with. On top of that, many people treat their hair with harsh chemicals or heating elements. Unfortunately, using these things on your hair can leave your hair brittle and drier than ever.
Fortunately, jojoba oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids which have a more compact molecular structure than other fatty acids. This more compact structure allows the fatty acids to really get into the hair fibers to protect them.
These fatty acids will help to lock moisture into your hair, keeping your curls hydrated and adding definition. They work so well that they can even repair damage and dryness caused by chemicals and heat.
Additionally, jojoba oil is rich in vitamins C, B, & E, as well as copper and zinc. These nutrients all work together to better hydrate hair as well as promote hair strength.
It Acts Like Sebum
One reason that jojoba is so popularly used on skin is because it is very close in composition to sebum. Sebum is the natural oil produced by the skin. The reason this is so important for skin is because it helps regulate oil production. However, there is an upside for hair as well.
Sebum is incredibly nourishing, and it is not just found on the skin. The sebum will make its way from the scalp and down the shaft of the hair to provide it with nourishment. However, the sebum can’t reach the full length of the hair if it’s curly. ‘
Curls create an interesting texture that is difficult for sebum to navigate. This can lead to parts of your hair being overly dry because they’re not receiving any natural nourishment.
Jojoba oil is almost exactly the same as sebum in composition, so it makes for a good substitute. When your natural sebum is unable to reach all your curls, you can simply add jojoba oil to your hair-care routine for additional moisture.
It Protects Color Treated Hair
Remember that the fatty acids in jojoba oil are great at hydrating and protecting the hair. The reason they protect the hair so well is that it produces a barrier on the outside of the hair. This makes it perfect for use on color-treated hair.
The chemicals used in hair coloring are quite harsh and can do some damage to your hair. Jojoba oil will protect your hair from this damage as well as prevent the color from fading prematurely.
It Treats Dandruff
People who deal with dry hair often suffer from dry and itchy scalps as well. On top of that, many people that have dry and itchy scalps end up developing dandruff.
Not only does jojoba oil make your hair look and feel nicer, but it can prevent and eliminate dandruff. It does this because of its moisturizing and antifungal properties.
Jojoba oil is an emollient, meaning that it penetrates the skin easily and locks in moisture. When your scalp is properly hydrated, you are less likely to develop dandruff or experience itching.
Can You Use Jojoba Oil For Hair Growth?
Jojoba oil has been used for hundreds of years because of its healing properties. These properties don’t apply just to skin though, they work really well for hair, too.
But technically, no, jojoba oil is not going to help you grow your hair back. However, it will provide your hair and scalp with optimal conditions to encourage hair growth. Jojoba oil will treat your hair and scalp so that they become much healthier than before. When your hair is healthier, you are more likely to notice more hair growth.
For example, if you want to grow your hair longer, it’s very important for your hair to be moisturized. Proper moisture will prevent hair from breaking and will enable your hair to be more elastic.
When your hair is properly hydrated, it will also regain its strength. When your hair is stronger, it is less likely to break, and more likely to grow back thicker.
It is thought that jojoba oil hydrates the hair, not by moisturizing the hair itself, but by moisturizing the scalp and hair follicles.
The health of your hair follicles is very important because – of course – this is where your hair grows. Likewise, the health of your scalp is very important because it contains the hair follicles. An unhealthy scalp will not produce healthy hair follicles.
When all three of these – your hair, hair follicles, and your scalp – are healthy and moisturized, it creates an ideal environment for better hair growth.
Exactly How To Use Jojoba Oil For Curly Hair
Knowing how nourishing jojoba oil is for your hair, you’re also going to want to know how to use it in your hair. Well, you’re in luck as there are several different ways.
As A Sealant
If you use a lot of harsh chemicals or heat on your hair, you should consider using jojoba oil as a protective sealant. This is very easy to do:
- Before washing your hair, add a few drops of jojoba oil to your hair
- Place the oil directly on your hand, and massage your fingers through your hand from root to tip
- Shampoo as usual — this will create a protective seal over your hair
Nourish Your Scalp
If your hair and scalp is dried out, you can try adding jojoba oil directly to your scalp for a bit of extra nourishing. This process is especially effective if you deal with dandruff. I recommended doing this 2-3 times a week.
- Place a few drops of jojoba oil into your palm
- Massage the oil into your scalp with your fingers
- Allow the oil to soak on your scalp for about 30 minutes
- Wash your hair with shampoo as usual
Add It To Your Shampoo & Conditioner
If you don’t like the thought of using jojoba oil by itself, that’s okay. You can add a few drops to your favorite product. This is by far the easiest way to go.
- Put a dollop of shampoo or conditioner in your palm
- Add 5-6 drops of jojoba oil to the product
- Mix well
- Use the product as normal
As A Hot Oil Treatment
A word of caution for this one — heated oil can be very dangerous. Be careful not to overheat it or you could burn yourself. Avoid this by testing a single drop on the inside of your wrist. If it’s too hot for your wrist, it’s too hot for your scalp.
It’s believed that heated oil will have additional benefits to unheated oil — and besides, it simply feels better on your scalp.
- After testing the temperature, massage a few drops of oil into your scalp and hair
- Cover your hair with a shower cap or a towel turban
- Allow the treatment to soak into your hair for about 30 minutes
- Wash your hair with shampoo
Purchase Pre-Made Products
Of course, this is the easiest way to go because you’ll be working with products that are already prepared. You won’t even need to add any extra jojoba oil to your shampoo or conditioner like I suggested above.
Simply purchase a hair-care product that already contains jojoba oil. It is a very popular ingredient, so it’s not hard to find products containing it.
Conclusion
So, now you know that jojoba oil is amazing for both your skin and hair health. Jojoba oil for straight hair? Check. Jojoba oil for wavy hair? Check. Jojoba oil curly hair? Check.
No matter what type of hair you have, jojoba oil can work wonders. It can relieve itchiness and irritation, eradicate dandruff, and hydrate your hair.
But most of all, if you have curly hair, you’ll really notice a difference. The oil will reach parts of your hair that your natural oil can’t. This leads to more nourished and protected hair in the long run.
Discover more wonderful ways to use jojoba oil for nails, hair, dogs and even scars. You can also find more jojoba oil guides here.
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