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Jojoba "oil" is actually not an oil, it's a wax ester. Why does this matter? One, it's notably lighter and less greasy, which is part of the reason why it's so good for your skin (more on that in a minute). It's also more stable; while other oils can quickly go rancid, jojoba oil (we'll keep calling it oil to keep things simple), has an extra long shelf-life.
So what is a wax ester anyway? Well, they're a main component of the sebum (oil) your skin naturally produces, which makes jojoba oil the closest thing out there to your skin's own oil. The technical term for this is 'biomimetic,' meaning it acts and functions like the sebum already in your skin.
Not only is jojoba oil a good pick for acne-prone skin, but it's also a top choice for anyone whose skin is easily irritated, too. Not only do you get those anti-inflammatory benefits, but, jojoba oil is considered hypoallergenic, which means we don't really see many people who react poorly to it.
Pores are itsy-bitsy openings in the skin—and there are millions covering every millimeter of skin. There are two types of pores with different functions: sweat pores and oil pores. The sweat pore allows moisture, produced by sweat glands, to exude out to the surface of the skin, where it helps to cool the body in response to heat, exertion or fever. Sweat pores are so tiny, they are mostly invisible to the human eye.
The oil pore, on the other hand, is a bit larger. Oil pores are also known as hair follicles because these pores produce oil from the sebaceous glands, but they are also the openings from which hair emerges. The oils help to keep our skin and hair healthy. It is the oil pores that can get clogged with sweat, debris and other gunk, causing acne, blackheads and whiteheads. Sweat pores rarely get clogged, as they are so tiny.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and unclogging pores. It is one of the longest-used medications to keep pores clean and healthy. Jojoba oil and rosehip oil are also good for reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria, and keeping in moisture for healthier skin. Ingredients that help exfoliate dead skin cells and increase new skin cell production, such as Vitamin A/Retinol, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, are good for keeping pores unclogged as well.
jojoba oil may be effective for clogged pores, but there are many other factors that may affect whether this ingredient would work on your skin or if there are better ingredients that may work for you. Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skincare routine.
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