Jojoba (pronounced ho-ho-ba) oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the crushed
bean of the jojoba shrub (Simmondsia chinenis). The jojoba shrub is
native to the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico and neighboring
regions in Arizona and southern California.

The chemical structure of jojoba oil is different from that of other vegetable oils.
Rather than being an oil, it is actually is a polyunsaturated liquid wax. As a wax,
jojoba oil is especially useful for applications that require moisture control, protection, and emolliency. Jojoba oil is liquid at room temperature because of its
unsaturated fatty acids. It does not oxidize or become rancid and does not break down under high temperatures and pressures.

Natural jojoba oil serves as an excellent moisturizing agent with exceptional
spread and lubrication properties and leaves a rich velvety non-oily feel on the
skin while retarding water loss and enhancing the flexibility and suppleness of the skin.

Jojoba oil is similar to, and miscible with, sebum, which is secreted by human
sebaceous glands to lubricate and protect skin and hair. When sebum production decreases due to age, pollutants, or environmental stresses, jojoba oil can be used
to replicate sebum oil.

Jojoba oil when used on the skin, forms a very thin, non-greasy lipoid layer.

This layer is partially porous and provides exceptional trans-epidermal respiration
and moisture control. Unlike greasy occlusive materials such as petrolatum,
mineral oils and some lanolin products, jojoba oil provides an absolutely non-tacky,
non-oily and non-greasy, dry softening to the skin.

It also significantly reduces trans-epidermal water loss, without totally blocking the transpiration of gases and water vapor.