Jojoba oil is the liquid ester (a very fine, smooth wax) that is extracted from the nuts of the jojoba tree. This amazing little tree is native to the American southwest and has been used traditionally by indigenous tribes as a treatment for burns and wounds. But that's not all jojoba oil is good for!
One of the most common questions I get is "Is jojoba oil good for acne?" and my answer is a resounding YES!
Jojoba oil is the only oil that closely resembles our skin's natural oils. And the best part is that it doesn't clog pores! It's absolutely beautiful to use as a one ingredient moisturizer, cleanser, and blackhead treatment.
Could Jojoba Oil be Your Cure for Blackheads? - My Experience with using Jojoba Oil
For those of you out there with "combination skin", this oil is fantastic for evening out your complexion and getting things to normalize naturally. I used to have areas on my face that were dry and areas that were oily...it was so frustrating to find products that would effectively treat both at once without having to buy 2 different products.
After using jojoba oil as my moisturizer AND facial cleanser, my skin began an amazing transition! The jojoba oil was actually evening out my skin tone and breaking up blackheads! This can be a bit scary for some of us, especially acne sufferers. I say this because when you start using jojoba oil, your skin is going to start detoxing a bit.
So this means that all of those whiteheads are going to start surfacing a lot faster because the jojoba oil is literally pulling them out and breaking them up. Don't worry though! This doesn't last long, and after a few weeks, your skin will be unclogged and renewed.
After a few weeks of using jojoba oil as my cleanser and moisturizer twice a day, my skin was producing wayyyy less oil and the dry areas were almost non-existent! I also used to get a lot of blackheads on my chin and nose area as well and I can honestly say that they have reduced to almost none at all!
How to use Jojoba Oil for Acne and Blackheads
The first thing you need to do is find a high-quality organic jojoba oil. The reason you want organic is because jojoba oil has the ability to penetrate deep into the skin.
If you're using an oil that contains a lot of weird residues and harmful pesticides, those will end up deep in your pores. Sounds icky if you ask me! So stick with organic if you can but don't feel bad if non-organic is the only option available.
2 brands that I have used with success have been this brand and this brand.
You can also find these at your local health food store (I get mine at Whole Foods).
The Oil Cleansing Method
All you have to do is make sure that all of your makeup is removed. I like to use hemp seed oil and a very warm washcloth for this. I don't recommend using jojoba oil for this because you will end up using too much and jojoba oil is expensive!
After I have removed any makeup, I turn over the washcloth and wipe away any residual olive oil.
Rinse your face with warm water and then massage a few drops of jojoba oil into your skin. This will stimulate circulation and will cleanse deep into the pores.
Rinse and then pat dry.
Wash up to twice a day if needed.
For more on the OCM look below:
The Oil Cleansing Method
The Enhanced Oil Cleansing Method
The Complete List of Comedogenic Oils
Facial Oils not Working? Rose Water can Help!
The Moisturizing Method
This part is super easy! All you have to do is apply 2-3 drops (or more or less depending on your personal needs) of jojoba oil to your face and massage gently into the skin. If the oil feels like it's just sitting there, then use some rose water (rose hydrosol) to re-balance your skin's acid mantle. I wrote about this here and it's suuuper useful!
Does Jojoba Oil Clog Pores?
This is another question that I get asked and it's a little tricky. While jojoba oil is, in fact, an excellent carrier oil for getting rid of blackheads, there IS a "purging period" that some people experience.
This usually results in tiny bumps that last a few weeks before clearing up and revealing the pure skin beneath.
So, if you experience this purge, just know it doesn't last forever!
I'm still confident that most people will find jojoba oil to be there holy grail natural skin treatment!
UPDATE: I have recently been loving hemp seed oil! Find out more here.
For more acne related articles look below:
The Best Fruit Enzymes for Clogged Pores
The 7 Step Routine You Need to Get Clear Skin
How to Pamper your Face for Clear Skin
The Best Vegan Pore Strips Recipe
6 Skincare Tips That Cleared My Acne Naturally
Essential Oils for Hormonal Acne
Jaclyn A says
I started using oils as face serum, experimented with sunflower seed oil, jojoba and rosehip back in Nov 2017 and by Feb 2018, I realised the black heads on my nose and chin has all cleared up! And I don’t know what helped so I googled and saw your post, so it has to be the oils then! So thrilled!
Tash says
Glad to hear it Jaclyn! That's awesome!!
Frenchie says
HI there Tash,
I have been using jojoba oil for the past week now and I notice that I been getting lots of whiteheads and blackheads, which I am hoping is the purging period that I am experiencing. I am really hoping that this jojoba oil I got from trader joes would be my miracle cure to all the clogged pores that I have been going through for the past years. Please let me know how long would I usually know that the purging period usually lasts and once my face does clears up should I keep using the jojoba oil?
Tash says
Hi Frenchie!
The purging period can last anywhere from 4-8 weeks. I recommend gentle exfoliation during this time to help keep clogged pores to a minimum. You can do this by using fresh papaya (mashed and applied to the skin 1-2 times per week) or use pure papaya powder which you can find on amazon. Alternatively, you can also use pure canned pumpkin 1-2 times per week. You want to use something with a natural acid that will exfoliate the skin without scrubbing it with harsh abrasives. You can also accomplish this by using a glycolic acid toner or lactic acid, though I highly recommend starting with a low acidity. Once the purge is over, you can continue to use jojoba oil 🙂
Hoston says
i read you article which is very helpful to get rid of blackheads
i use the JOJOBA OIL and its really work on my skin
Thanks
Tash says
Glad to hear it Hoston! 🙂