Take this skin quiz to find the best ingredients for your skin and build your skin care routine.
Take The Skin Quiz
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.
There are several different types and causes of acne. Cystic acne occurs when pores in your skin are clogged with sebum, dirt, and dead skin cells. This creates a perfect opportunity for the growth of bacteria, which can cause an infection. The infection can grow deeper into the skin, leading to inflammation and redness, causing raised acne bumps (AKA cysts) with pus that can be tender to the touch.
Benzoyl peroxide is a topical agent for fighting bacteria and can be good for some type of cystic acne. 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 treating cystic acne as well.
The secret to winning the battle against cystic acne is having the right regimen for your skin. Products that are too strong can be irritating and drying, causing your skin to overproduce oil, which leads to more acne. Picking the wrong active ingredients may have no effect. Using the right regimen for your acne type and skin tolerance can effectively clear acne while keeping your skin healthy and balanced.
jojoba oil may be effective for cystic acne, 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.
Next: Does vitamin C work on hormonal acne ?