spotlight on jojoba

When it comes to skincare, less is more, and more can be … too much. It can be quite daunting scanning beauty product labels, attempting to find anything that looks familiar or natural. We do our best at Detroit Rose to take the confusion out of what should be a satisfying ritual for you and your delicate dermis by building our formulas with clean and minimal ingredients. We know the hard work doesn’t stop there; we owe it to you and the rest of our DR crew to understand why we choose specific botanical ingredients and what makes them so effective.

This month the spotlight is on Jojoba (pronounced huh-how-ba), also known as joe-joe-buh to some but the jury is still out on that one and this is a judgment free zone. We aren’t here to lay down the laws of proper pronunciation - you do you, boo! We are here to give you a little more intel on what makes jojoba a powerhouse plant-derived oil. Jojoba is a shrub, native to the deserts of North America and Mexico. It requires low levels of irrigation and soil fertility, making it tolerant of high temperatures and drought. Jojoba’s name originates from the O’odham Howhowi; an indigenous Uto-Aztecan tribe, native to the lands of Southern California and Mexico. The O’odham people influenced the current significance of this plant; rich in vitamins E & B, jojoba paste was used as a salve to treat burns and cuts. Spanish missionaries caught on to these healing properties and further ignited its popularity around the world. Jojoba has fewer triglycerides than any other plant or animal derived oil, so it’s actually a liquid wax rather than an oil or fat. In the 1970’s, this became essential in Save the Whales, a successful campaign that helped ban the production of oil from the blubber of sperm whales. Jojoba & petroleum replaced the unsustainable and unethical harvesting of whales used in soap, lubricant, paint, and textile manufacturing.

Although known as an oil, jojoba the wax is a result of the plant adapting to the harsh climate conditions. This wax oil is virtually identical to human sebum, so when applied to the skin it sends a signal to our sweat glands and hair follicles to hold off on producing any additional sebum, leaving the skin moisturized without clogging pores. So you see, jojoba is the MVP: a moisturizing, versatile princess. She’s balancing our skin’s oil production, healing burns, and saving the sperm whales one golden drop at a time. Mother Nature has truly done right with this one and we are fully indebted to her. Jojoba’s anti-inflammatory and rich antioxidant properties make it a perfect addition to some of our highly coveted ritual products: the Aphrodite Face Oil and Essential Body Oil. Our Aphrodite Face Oil is a blend of sea buckthorn, jojoba, rosehip, chia seed, and camellia flower oil. Packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants, this nutrient dense oil moisturizes, soothes, brightens, and tightens your skin without the help of any mysterious or harmful ingredients. Our Essential Body Oil will enhance your post-shower routine and have you smelling so goooood. We formulated this oil with nothing but the best: a cocktail of jojoba, argan, meadowfoam, and sunflower oils to quench your skin’s thirst, and reduce fine lines & wrinkles. We added a natural woody fragrance with the help of organic essential oils like Vetiver, Cedarwood, Patchouli and Lavender for some mystique (and to give those hype perfumes a run for their money). Spring is just around the corner and you deserve to be glowing and smelling like you just stepped out of a luxurious spa treatment every day for a fraction of the cost.

I personally love using jojoba oil for my hair and scalp as a pre-wash treatment, leaving it moisturized and protected throughout the day. As a combination skin girlie with hyperpigmentation our Aphrodite face oil has rescued my skin from dry patches and dark spots. I would suggest slowly incorporating this nutrient dense oil into your current skincare regimen - a little goes a long way. Also, be mindful of your local climate; using this oil in super humid climates may change the way it interact with your skin. I think the most important thing to do when incorporating new skincare product is to take your time, one product at a time so you can appropriately identify it’s effectiveness. Change can be tough in any form so be gentle with yourself.