Jojoba Oil for Skin and Hair: Why It's the Most Versatile Carrier Oil and DIY Recipes

If you're only going to keep one carrier oil in your DIY natural skincare toolkit, make it jojoba oil. It works across skin types, plays well with almost every other ingredient, and has a shelf life that puts most other oils to shame (two to three years when properly stored). Keep reading to discover its many benefits and explore some of Refined Naturals' DIY recipes to help make the most of them.

But Wait, It's Not Actually an Oil?

Correct. Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis) produces a liquid wax, not a triglyceride-based oil. Most carrier oils are made up of fatty acid triglycerides, which can oxidise and, in some cases, contribute to pore congestion.

Human sebum is largely composed of wax esters, which have the same molecular structure as those found in jojoba. This means jojoba is more closely compatible with the skin's natural oils than almost any other carrier.

Amazing Benefits for Skin and Hair

For Skin

Deep Moisturisation: Forms a breathable barrier that locks in hydration without smothering the skin.

Non-Comedogenic: Rated 2 on the comedogenic scale, making it safe for oily and acne-prone skin.

Soothing & Anti-Inflammatory: May help calm redness and reduce sensitivity.

Makeup Removal: Dissolves surface makeup and sunscreen effectively.

Nail & Cuticle Care: Softens cuticles and strengthens the nail bed with regular use.

For Hair & Scalp

Scalp Conditioning: Helps address dryness, flakiness, and irritation at the root.

Shine & Softness: Coats the hair shaft to smooth the cuticle and reduce frizz.

Growth Support: When used with stimulating essential oils like rosemary, it makes an effective scalp treatment base.

Lightweight Enough: Won't weigh fine hair down the way heavier oils like castor or coconut oil can.

Standard Usage Rates for DIY Makers & Small-Batch Formulators

Face Serum: 25–50%

Body Lotion: 5–20%

Hair Oil Blend: 10–100% (can be used neat)

Lip Balm: 20–40%

Golden vs Clear: Which Should You Choose?

Refined Naturals stocks two versions of jojoba oil. Here's how to decide which one is right for your needs:

Golden Jojoba Oil (Unrefined)

Cold-pressed from the seed and minimally processed, this oil retains its characteristic warm, amber colour and faint nutty aroma. Because it undergoes no further refinement, it holds a higher concentration of antioxidants, phytosterols, and naturally occurring vitamins, making it the preferred choice for direct skin and hair treatments where nutrient density is important.

Available in: 30ml, 100ml, 500ml, 1000ml, and 5000ml.

Colourless Jojoba Oil: Cold-Pressed (Refined)

Starting as cold-pressed oil, the colourless option is then filtered and deodorised to remove all natural colour and scent. The result is a completely clear, odourless oil that won't interfere with the colour, fragrance, or aesthetic of your finished product. It is the better choice for white lotions, fragrance blending, soaps, and any formulation where appearance counts.

Available in: 30ml, 100ml, 500ml, and 1000ml.

Both versions are non-comedogenic and will not clog pores. The choice comes down to what you'd like to do with this oil, instead of which one is better.

What About Jojoba Butter?

If your formulation needs body rather than slip, jojoba butter is an excellent option. It's made by blending pure jojoba oil with hydrogenated vegetable oil and tocopherol (vitamin E), producing a soft, off-white butter with a neutral aroma and a melting point of around 40 °C, so it softens on contact with skin.

It carries the same sebum-mimicking benefits as the oil, but in a format that works as a direct swap for shea or mango butter in body butters, whipped creams, balms, and lip care. It's vegan-friendly, and the recommended usage rate is 8–10%. Available in: 30g (sample), 250g, 500g, and 1000g.

2 DIY Jojoba Oil Recipes to Try

Recipe 1: Lightweight Jojoba Face Serum

Ingredients: 2 tbsp golden jojoba oil; 1 tbsp rosehip oil or squalane for a lighter finish; 2–4 drops vitamin E oil (optional); 3–5 drops essential oil (optional, lavender or frankincense work well).

1. Add all ingredients to a clean dark glass dropper bottle.

2. Cap the bottle and shake gently to combine.

3. Apply 2–4 drops to clean, slightly damp skin.

4. Use morning or night, depending on your skin's preference.

Recipe 2: Jojoba + Castor Oil Hair Growth Treatment

Ingredients: 2 tbsp jojoba oil; 1 tbsp castor oil; 5–10 drops rosemary essential oil (optional); 3–5 drops peppermint essential oil (optional); 1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional).

1. Pour the oils into a small glass bottle.

2. Shake well to blend.

3. Apply a small amount to your scalp and massage for 3–5 minutes.

4. Leave on for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if your scalp tolerates it.

5. Shampoo out thoroughly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Will this oil clog pores?
A: Jojoba oil has a comedogenic rating of 2, which places it firmly in the low-risk category for most skin types, including oily and acne-prone. Its wax ester structure closely mimics the skin's own sebum, which means it absorbs efficiently rather than sitting on the surface and blocking pores. That said, individual skin responses vary, so a patch test is always a good starting point.

Q: Is it good for oily skin?
A: Yes, and perhaps counterintuitively so. Because jojoba so closely resembles the skin's natural oils, it can signal the skin to reduce its own sebum output over time.

Q: Can I use this oil as a moisturiser without mixing it with anything?
A: Absolutely. Jojoba is one of the few carrier oils that works exceptionally well as a standalone moisturiser, particularly for the face. Apply two to three drops to clean, slightly damp skin and press in gently. Its non-greasy finish and rapid absorption make it practical for daily use, even under makeup.

Q: What is the shelf life?
A: Jojoba oil has one of the longest shelf lives of any carrier oil, typically two to three years when stored in a cool, dark place. Its wax composition makes it highly resistant to oxidation, which is why it's also commonly added to other formulations as a natural stability booster.

Q: What is the difference between golden and clear (refined) jojoba oil?
A: Golden jojoba is unrefined, cold-pressed, and minimally processed, retaining its natural amber colour, faint nutty scent, and a higher concentration of naturally occurring nutrients including antioxidants and phytosterols. Clear jojoba is refined through filtration and deodorisation, resulting in a colourless, odourless oil. Both are non-comedogenic and effective moisturisers. Golden is the better choice for direct skin and hair treatments, while clear is preferred in cosmetic formulations where colour and fragrance neutrality is necessary.

Shop This DIY Staple at Refined Naturals

Jojoba oil belongs in your formulation toolkit, whether you're building your first DIY face serum or scaling up a small-batch hair care range. Refined Naturals stocks both golden (unrefined) and colourless, cold-pressed jojoba oil in multiple sizes, plus jojoba butter for anyone formulating balms, whipped body butters, and richer creams.

Shop essential and carrier oils now and enjoy R115 flat rate shipping in South Africa, delivered straight to your door.