Jojoba Oil: From Whales to the Desert - A Skincare Star is Born

At TellurideGlow, we love ingredients that tell a story—ones that connect plant wisdom, science, and sustainable beauty. Among these, jojoba oil ( Simmondsia Chinensis) stands out as an unrivaled natural marvel. From its origins in the arid deserts of the American Southwest to its transformative role in skincare today, jojoba is as fascinating as it is effective. Let’s explore the rich history, science, and skincare benefits of this extraordinary botanical, and why it remains a hero ingredient in all of our serums.

A Gift from the Desert

The Origins of Jojoba Jojoba (pronounced ho-HO-ba) is native to the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.

This resilient shrub thrives in one of the most extreme environments on earth, withstanding intense heat, freezing cold, and long droughts, making it a remarkable desert survivor.

The secret to its survival lies in its remarkable adaptability:

• Deep Tap Roots: Jojoba plants develop roots that extend up to 15 meters underground, reaching water reserves deep within desert soils.

• Moisture-Holding Molecules: Jojoba's living tissues contain a unique wax ester molecule that helps retain moisture. Remarkably, this molecule is identical to the wax esters found in human skin, a trait that makes jojoba so powerful for skincare.

• Natural Shield: The plant’s waxy coating protects it from losing moisture and shields it from solar radiation, a trait that mirrors how jojoba can help care for our skin.

Jojoba’s History and Cultivation Jojoba has been used for centuries by Native Americans, who relied on its seeds as both a food source and a remedy for skin and scalp health. Jesuit priests documented how tribes toasted jojoba seeds, ground them into salves, and applied the waxy substance to heal wounds, burns, and other skin irritations. It was even consumed to ease stomach ailments and aid childbirth.

Much later, in the 1970s, the global demand for sperm whale oil—once used in cosmetics and industrial lubricants—was halted due to environmental concerns. As industry searched for a solution, scientists rediscovered jojoba oil.  They found that jojoba was nearly chemically identical to sperm whale oil, making it the perfect ethical and sustainable replacement.

This remarkable discovery sparked a flurry of jojoba cultivation in Arizona, Peru, Australia, Israel and beyond. Despite this early rush, jojoba farming remains relatively rare, and most plants today are just 1-2 generations removed from their wild ancestors. Because jojoba shrubs can take up to 7-8 years to reach maturity, care and patience are required to grow jojoba sustainably.

The Unique Composition of Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is often referred to as an oil, but it’s actually a liquid wax, unlike any other plant-derived ingredient. It's the only plant in the world that produces liquid wax esters that are identical to those found in human skin. Here’s a breakdown of its unique composition:

• 50% Liquid Wax Esters: These wax esters are bioidentical to the sebum produced by human skin, allowing jojoba oil to deeply penetrate and easily into the dermis without irritation.

• 30% Protein Content: The seed contains a high concentration of proteins, adding to its nourishing properties.

• Moisture Retention: Just as jojoba wax protects the plant from the desert’s harsh sun, it can help prevent moisture loss and enhance hydration in skin.

Jojoba Oil Skin Benefits

The Most Biocompatible Oil in Nature

Jojoba oil’s effectiveness lies in its biocompatibility with human skin.  Here’s how it works its magic:

• Mimics Human Sebum: Jojoba oil is bioidentical to our skin’s natural oils. This allows it to absorb easily, balance oil production, and leave skin conditioned without feeling greasy.

• Balances All Skin Types: Whether your skin is dry, oily, or a combination of both, jojoba adapts. It helps regulate sebum production—hydrating dry areas while signaling oily skin to produce less oil.

• Restores Skin Barrier Health: Jojoba oil supports the skin's microbiome, strengthens the skin barrier, and protects against environmental stressors.

• Non-Comedogenic: Rated low on the comedogenic scale, jojoba oil won’t clog pores, making it perfect for acne-prone skin. Its ability to dissolve sebum blockages in pores also helps clear blemish prone skin.

• Fights Premature Aging: Starting around age 20, our bodies produce less sebum, leading to dehydrated skin, fine lines, and wrinkles. By supplementing skin with jojoba’s wax esters, you can help plump up skin, improve elasticity, and slow the signs of aging.

The Therapeutic Benefits of Jojoba Oil

• Non-Allergenic: Jojoba is safe for people with nut allergies, gluten intolerance, or sensitive skin. It’s even used in massage therapy for medically compromised individuals, such as on oncology patients.

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Jojoba oil can help address redness and inflammation caused by conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and sunburn.

• Supports Collagen Synthesis: Studies show that jojoba oil can stimulate mRNA production in skin cells, promoting collagen and hyaluronic acid synthesis and improving elasticity.

• Antioxidant Stability: Naturally rich in Vitamin E, jojoba oil fights free radicals and protects against oxidative stress. Its low triglyceride content means it resists oxidation, extending the shelf life of skincare products.

Sustainability in Every Drop

Jojoba is as good for the planet as it is for your skin:

• Eco-Friendly Farming: Jojoba grows on marginal land, areas unsuitable for agriculture, reducing competition with food crops.

• Minimal Processing: Jojoba beans are mechanically pressed under high pressure in a cold press. This process extracts the oil from the seeds without the use of heat or chemicals, preserving its purity and environmental integrity.

• A Sustainable Replacement: Its role as an alternative to sperm whale oil and its status as a low water usage crop highlights its contribution to ethical and sustainable beauty practices.

Why We Love Jojoba

At TellurideGlow, jojoba oil plays a starring role in our formulations, particularly in The Purist Delicate Skin and Alpine Phytonurtient Serums. By combining jojoba with powerhouse alpine botanicals like Arctic cloudberry, rosehip, and Himalayan sea buckthorn, we create products that balance, nourish, and hydrate your skin—all while honoring sustainability and luxury.

From its desert origins to its transformative benefits, jojoba oil represents the perfect union of nature and science. Jojoba oil is a cornerstone of radiant, healthy skin.

Experience the Power of Jojoba today, Shop Our Potent Restorative Serums

References:

• Topical application of jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis L.) wax enhances the synthesis of pro-collagen III and hyaluronic acid. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10855461/
• Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34073772/

• Skin barrier protection with jojoba esters https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(12)01437-5/abstract