Allergic to Jojoba
Jojoba is in mostly everything as far as clean beauty skincare is concerned. There are many amazing benefits for the skin. Before I go into how much I am allergic to this amazing ingredient, lets first dive into what it is and why it is good for you!
WHAT IS JOJOBA?
Jojoba (pronounced ho-HO-ba) is a plant native to the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona/ California and northwestern Mexico and is currently cultivated across the world in desert-like climates.
JOJOBA OIL
Also known as Jojoba extract, is a liquid wax where the liquid esters are the closest thing to what our skin produces-the sebum in the plant world. It is compatible with our skin.
The extract is pressed from the seed (it is not a nut) which is also safe for those who have nut allergies. It does not clog pores due to its sebum compatibility. It does not oxidize making it shelf safe being able to withstand heat without any loss of its properties (benefits) in comparison to plant oils.
THE AMAZING BENEFITS & QUALITIES
Excellent face and body moisturizer
Conditions and smooths hair and beards
Popular massage medium because it goes well with all skin types
Nonallergenic properties
Safe for all ages
Ideal carrier for essential oils
Light on the skin and absorbs quickly
No scent
Antibacterial
Antioxidant
Helps promote collagen synthesis
Helps reduce appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
Minimizes appearance of scars
According to WebMD, Jojoba is directly applied to the skin and helps as an aide for acne, psoriasis, sunburn, and chapped skin. It is highly encouraged to use for people who are balding to help with regrowth. It is used usually in shampoo, lipstick, makeup, cleansing products, face, and body.
Regardless of the many wondrous benefits and it is in mostly everything-some folks like myself, it can cause an allergic reaction.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS MAY INCLUDE
Itchy rash
Red skin
Hives
Closing of the airway (severe reaction)
LESSON LEARNED: ALLERGIC TO JOJOBA
The first time I found out I was allergic to jojoba was horrible. I was new to clean beauty and a good friend of mine that was a founder of an amazing indie company called KATARI BEAUTY where all of her oils are pure and 100% amazing quality had sent me samples. One of them being Jojoba oil with all the amazing benefits that jojoba has to offer. It was called the Mediterranean HENNA oil
It was a late evening when I poured a little less than a dime size into the palm of my hand, massaged it into my face following with a Guasha tool. The next morning, I woke up with my chin itchy. I felt the few bumps, but it did not feel like pimples. I looked in the mirror and was horrified by seeing so many mini bumps all over my chin. Being a picker that I am, I tried popping them thinking they were pimples. But they consisted of a clear liquid not like your normal pimples.
They were itchy but because I had scratched, it turned into an itchy burning feeling. At the time, I did not take a photo or anything and hid it under my makeup. I did not understand that it was the Jojoba that was I was allergic to. It was not until I realized after I stopped using the oil for about a week and then started using a facial exfoliator (OKO Enzyme Exfoliator) that consisted of Jojoba esters, that there was a huge possibility of being allergic to Jojoba.
Moving forward, I also wanted to see if it was just my face and not including my body. I had ordered the bar shampoo from Viori which smells absolutely amazing and gives your hair great volume and body. Because the ingredient was near my hairline, I still had a reaction to the Jojoba.
From then on, I have been looking carefully at the ingredients of what I use and put on my skin or any part of my body. Everything that I post about as far as clean beauty is concerned does not include anything with Jojoba.
If you are allergic to Jojoba or know anyone who is, I recommend following me on Instagram and subscribing to my blog because I will be sharing my journey and info of products that work great without the Jojoba.