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Jojoba Oil For Hair Growth: Benefits & How To Use In 2024
Updated on
- Written by Healthcanal Staff
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
Hair loss is a common occurrence for many individuals, which unfortunately can negatively affect one’s self-esteem. Losing hair[1] can contribute to a negative self-body image resulting in feelings of self-consciousness, embarrassment, frustration, and jealousy.
Many cosmetic products and devices claim to provide hair and scalp health benefits and are promoted for hair growth stimulation. Still, it can be very difficult to determine which products work and which do not.
Having luscious, shiny, voluminous hair is what many individuals strive for to maintain a positive body image, so can jojoba oil help? Jojoba oil for hair will be explored in this article to determine its benefits and to see if it can reduce hair loss and promote hair growth.
Does Jojoba Oil Grow Hair?
Is jojoba oil good for hair growth? Yes, jojoba oil is good for hair as it provides several benefits that enhance the appearance and texture of hair.
A 2020 comprehensive review article[2] summarized research on jojoba oil and the findings on this hair oil and health. The research showed that jojoba oil could be used as a conditioning agent for dry hair due to its emollient properties. This is because emollients provide moisture, meaning they can prevent or treat dry hair, reducing frizzy hair while strengthening the hair and enhancing hair shine.
Applying jojoba oil also reduced protein loss, protected the hair thread, and enhanced breakage resistance when added to a thioglycolate-based straightening solution. A thioglycolate-based straightening solution is a popular chemical used to straighten curly hair.
As chemical straightening solutions can cause hair damage, incorporating jojoba oil into a straightening solution is an excellent way to protect your hair.
Jojoba Oil For Hair Growth
Research indicates that jojoba oil is ineffective at promoting hair growth. A 2020 review article[3] included findings from a double-blind, randomized control trial experiment.
The study assessed the influence of aromatherapy essential oils, comprised of thyme, lavender, cedarwood, and rosemary oil, mixed in with carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or grapeseed oil, on hair regrowth. The participants of the study were individuals with alopecia, meaning hair loss.
The results showed jojoba oil when mixed with essential oil, had no effect on hair regrowth for the majority of participants.
Interestingly, another study in the same review also assessed aromatherapy essential oils combined with jojoba oil among individuals with alopecia. Still, this time they did find a clinically significant improvement in hair regrowth.
While the findings from one study indicate aromatherapy is a potentially viable option for the treatment of alopecia, the researchers concluded there was a lack of clinical evidence to recommend the use of jojoba oil hair loss.
Similar results were found in a 2014 animal study.[4] Jojoba oil was found to be unassociated with significant hair regrowth, increased dermal thickness, number of hair follicles, or follicle depth among mice with hair loss.
While there is evidence to indicate the use of jojoba oil as an emollient and protectant for hair, there is no indication of to use of jojoba oil for hair loss.
Jojoba Oil For Scalp Health
According to a 2017 review,[5] due to the fatty emollient content of jojoba oil, it has the potential to influence the skin barrier. This is because emollients have been shown to influence eicosanoid production (important in inflammation and immunity), membrane fluidity, cell signaling, skin repair, and skin permeability.
While these findings indicate the potential for jojoba oil to help with dry skin, it does not indicate the reason for using jojoba oil for scalp buildup, dry scalp, itchy scalp, or dandruff.
Further, a 2022 review[6] on the management of dandruff reported there is a lack of clinical evidence to support the use of emollients to combat dandruff on their own.
However, another study done back in 2015[7] expounded on the value of this oil in treating dry scalp and dandruff. This conflict in studies may be due to a lack of control over study subjects, as it has been found that jojoba oil can worsen seborrheic dermatitis in black patients.[8]
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil comes from jojoba seeds of the plant Simmondsia Chinensis, commonly referred to as jojoba plant, but also known as deer nut, oat nut, wild hazel, and coffee berry.
Oil extracted from jojoba plants is popular and valuable because it is different and unique in comparison to other plant oils. This is due to the unsaturated esters content, which is composed of straight-chain fatty acids and high alcohol content.
The unique composition of jojoba oil results in a high-viscosity liquid oil that is wax-like. The texture of this wax-like oil is, in fact, very similar to the oil produced by our bodies’ sebaceous glands.
The unique texture has made this oil a popular product in the skincare and cosmetic industry because it is thought to prevent the skin from overproducing oil.
While jojoba oil has many benefits as a cosmetic product, it should not be eaten. Any jojoba meal leftover from the oil extraction process can be used as a livestock feed ingredient, but humans do not digest it.
In addition to being a popular cosmetic product, jojoba oil is also reported to provide other health benefits such as antioxidant activity and antimicrobial, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal activities.
Benefits Of Jojoba Oil For Hair
- Reduces protein loss from hair follicles.
- Protects the hair thread.
- Enhanced breakage resistance.
- Moisturizing conditioner.
- Protects hair from chemical straightening solutions.
- Reduces frizzy hair.
- May help soothe psoriasis, eczema, and other drying scalp conditions.
- It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties to fight infections like candida which can cause hair thinning and scalp redness.
Who Is Jojoba Oil Best For?
As jojoba oil offers hair health benefits, it can be added to anyone’s hair care routine Jojoba oil can help add moisture back into hair and can help protect the hair shaft from protein loss and breakage.
Individuals with dry hair will likely benefit the most from the use of jojoba oil products. Other hair oils may be beneficial, as well as they contain many natural oils from botanical sources, such as coconut oil, that contain emollients available on the cosmetic market.
The best jojoba oils for hair will depend on you, your hair type, and your hair thickness. It also depends on the skin condition you are trying to treat as well as your ethnicity, as discussed in an earlier study.
For example, if you are Black and have seborrheic dermatitis, you may want to steer clear of jojoba oil products in general. If you are balding or have thinning hair, you can still use jojoba oil; just be aware that there is not enough scientific evidence to support claims that it will stimulate hair growth and prevent balding unless the thinning hair is due to a candida infection.
Although this hair oil will not boost hair growth, it can still provide you with the same benefits to the hair as everyone else. If you are concerned about hair thinning or going bald, try using hair products specific to regrowth.
Jojoba oil can always but used in addition to the use of products that stimulate hair growth as a means to provide your hair with moisture and protection.
How To Use Jojoba Oil For Hair
Many jojoba oil products are available on the market for skin products and hair products, including hair conditioners, shampoo, pre-shampoo treatments, hair masks, and restorative hair treatments.
There are many ways to add jojoba oil to your hair care regimen. Some hair products will have jojoba oil included as an ingredient. Other hair products that do not contain jojoba oil can have it added in.
The following hair tips are possible ways to include jojoba oil in your hair care routine. Remember, these are just suggestions, and it is important to always follow the product label’s direction.
- Add a few drops of jojoba oil to damp hair in combination with a heat protectant before styling to increase the breakage resistance of the hair shaft.
- Combine a few drops of jojoba oil into an intense conditioning hair mask and leave in wet hair overnight.
- Apply jojoba oil mixed into a restorative hair treatment to enhance benefits.
- Use jojoba oil shampoo and conditioner to reduce frizz.
- Massage oil into dry ends.
- Combine jojoba oil with a hair serum to enhance your hair’s natural shine.
- Add organic jojoba oil to a pre-shampoo treatment.
Summary
Overall, jojoba oil is an excellent addition to anyone’s hair regimen if they want to reduce hair dryness and breakage. While this oil will not boost hair growth, prevent balding, or treat dry scalp, it is beneficial for hair and can help make your hair smooth and shiny.
Trying new hair care products is always fun, so why not consider trying jojoba oil next time you need a new hair care product? With so many products available, there are plenty you can choose from. You will most definitely be able to find a jojoba oil product that works for you!
+ 8 sources
Health Canal avoids using tertiary references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic researches from medical associations and institutions. To ensure the accuracy of articles in Health Canal, you can read more about the editorial process here
- Dhami, L. (2021). Psychology of Hair Loss Patients and Importance of Counseling. Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery, [online] 54(04), pp.411–415. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1741037.
- Gad, H.A., Roberts, A., Hamzi, S.H., Gad, H.A., Touiss, I., Altyar, A.E., Kensara, O.A. and Ashour, M.L. (2021). Jojoba Oil: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Uses, and Toxicity. Polymers, [online] 13(11), p.1711. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111711.
- Ezekwe, N., King, M. and Hollinger, J.C. (2020). The Use of Natural Ingredients in the Treatment of Alopecias with an Emphasis on Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia: A Systematic Review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, [online] 13(8), pp.23–27. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7595365/
- Oh, J.Y., Park, M.A. and Kim, Y.C. (2014). Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicological Research, [online] 30(4), pp.297–304. doi:https://doi.org/10.5487/tr.2014.30.4.297.
- Purnamawati, S., Indrastuti, N., Danarti, R. and Saefudin, T. (2017). The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clinical Medicine & Research, [online] 15(3-4), pp.75–87. doi:https://doi.org/10.3121/cmr.2017.1363.
- Dall’Oglio, F., Nasca, M.R., Gerbino, C. and Micali, G. (2022). An Overview of the Diagnosis and Management of Seborrheic Dermatitis. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, [online] Volume 15, pp.1537–1548. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/ccid.s284671.
- Małgorzata Zięba, Ania Małysa, Noga, A. and Katedra Chemii (2015). Evaluation of selected quality features of creams with addition of jojoba oil designed for dry skin Ocena… [online] ResearchGate. Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283054596_Evaluation_of_selected_quality_features_of_creams_with_addition_of_jojoba_oil_designed_for_dry_skin_Ocena_wybranych_wyroznikow_jakosci_kremow_z_dodatkiem_oleju_jojoba_przeznaczonych_do_suchej_skory?enrichId=rgreq-e778ae51d51fac8fc2c1425ad140f956-XXX&enrichSource=Y292ZXJQYWdlOzI4MzA1NDU5NjtBUzoyODcwNjA3Mzc5NzAxOTBAMTQ0NTQ1MjAyMTM4NQ%3D%3D&el=1_x_2&_esc=publicationCoverPdf
- Mayo, T., Dinkins, J. and Elewski, B. (2023). Hair Oils May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis in Black Patients. Skin Appendage Disorders, [online] 9(2), pp.151–152. doi:https://doi.org/10.1159/000527778.
Written by:
Healthcanal Staff
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
