Simmondsia Chinensis

• Derived from: jojoba
• Pronunciation: (\ˈsim-ən(d)z-ia\ˈchi-NEN-sis\)
• Type: Natural
• Other names: jojoba, goat nut, wild hazel, coffee berry, deer nut, quinine nut

What Is Simmondsia Chinensis?

Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil is sourced from the seed of the S. chinensis shrub. It is often referred to as an "oil-wax" due to its slightly-solid composition.[1]

How Is Jojoba Oil Made?

Extracting Simmondsia chinensis oil is typically done by cold mechanical pressing of the seeds, which are first cleaned, dehulled, and even cooked. Manufacturers occasionally use solvents (e.g. hexane, alcohol, chloroform, benzene) for Simmondsia chinensis oil extraction.

Though jojoba oil requires very little in terms of refining, hydrogenation can create a harder wax with a melting point of 163ºF (73ºC). [2,3]

Simmondsia Chinensis Benefits

Simmondsia chinensis is an excellent natural lubricant. It's also prized for its stability at fairly high temperatures, as well as its resistance to bacteria and oxidation, even at high temperatures. [2,4]

Jojoba seed oil is a natural emulsifier (that prevents formulas from separating) and an emollient which locks in moisture. Its high vitamin E content can help to prevent and repair free radical damage.[5] What's more, multiple studies suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of Simmondsia chinensis seed oil can improve wound healing.[4,6]

For these reasons, about 90% of harvested jojoba oil is used in the personal care industry [7]. It can be found in hundreds of products such as makeup, hair care, sunscreens, shaving products, lotions, and much more.[8,9]

Why Puracy Uses Simmondsia Chinensis

Thanks to its gentle and moisturizing capabilities, we use organic Simmondsia chinensis in our Organic Baby Lotion.

Is Simmondsia Chinensis Safe?

Jojoba oil is not a known skin irritant or sensitizer.[10] Simmondsia chinensis seed oil has received an EWG score of "1" when used topically. [11]

Sources

[1] Science Direct
[2] Purdue University Center for New Crops & Plants Products
[3] Abu-Arabi, M., et al. "Extraction of Jojoba oil by pressing and leaching" The Chemical Engineering Journal 76(1):61-65 · January 2000
[4] Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
[5] Healthline
[6] Ranzato, E., et al., “Wound healing properties of jojoba liquid wax: an in vitro study,” Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2011 Mar 24;134(2):443-9
[7] US Forest Service
[8] Cosmeticsinfo.org
[9]Payzar, N., et al., “Jojoba in dermatology: a succinct review,” Giornale Italiano Di Dermatologia E Venereologia, 2013 Dec;148(6):687-91
[10] WebMD
[11] EWG