The Beauty Chemist's Notebook - Oils In Skincare: Jojoba vs. Argan Oil
jojoba & Argan oil - Skincare’s sweethearts
When you think of oils, it’s easy to conjure up nightmarish images of greasy hamburgers or a foundation that is too oily. At Genie Supply, we think of oils and imagine glowing, hydrated skin!
Oils as skincare staples date back to the early Egyptians when they used castor, sesame, and moringa oil (Source). Recently, jojoba and argan oil took the spotlight with their versatile, hydrating, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Serums are a must-have component of skincare routines for beauty fans everywhere these days. Adding hydrating oils to skincare formulas is the answer to any skincare enthusiast’s cry for youthful, elastic, glowing skin. Jojoba and argan oil could be the perfect formula addition to any skin-nourishing serum!
There are a plethora of oils to choose from, but we made it easy by comparing the two leading oils in modern skincare to give you a little inspiration for the next big serum. We’ll get into the benefits and all the juicy details of jojoba and argan oil. Let’s get started!
Jojoba Oil
Derived from the Chinensis shrub in the Buxaceae family, jojoba oil is a moisture-intense, lightweight oil that is perfect for oily and acne-prone skin types (Source). Jojoba is harvested from dry environments such as Arizona and California in the United States and can also be found in Egypt and Mexico (Source).
The plant itself lives up to 200 years and requires little water to survive (Source). Jojoba oil is commonly used topically to reduce inflammation and hydrate the skin barrier.
With jojoba oil being remarkably similar to human sebum, intense skin hydration without clogging pores or causing acne is its forte. How is this possible you ask? Jojoba oil is actually a wax ester (thanks to its lack of glycerin) which is what the majority of the human sebum is composed of (Source).
Jojoba’s chemical similarity to human sebum also allows it to provide lightweight, skin-balancing effects (Source). In addition to its incredible compatibility with the skin barrier, jojoba oil has no known negative interactions when combined with other ingredients (Source).
Quick Facts
Highly compatible with skin because of its similarities to human sebum
Technically a wax due to its lack of glycerin
Non-comedogenic
Can mix with other oils
Benefits
Softening
Protects skincare barrier
Antioxidant
Rich in Vitamin E
Brightening
Anti-aging
Anti-inflammatory
Acne-fighting
Longer shelf life than most oils
Recommended Uses
Cosmetic formulas
Combined with other emollients such as shea butter, mango butter, hyaluronic acid, etc.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is created from the fruit pits of the argan tree by extracting the oil using pressure and light heat (Source). Argan is known to be the savior of dry, dull skin and can be a powerful remedy for acne-prone skin thanks to its non-comedogenic properties (Source).
Packed with polyphenol and Vitamin E, argan oil is rich in antioxidants – which make it the perfect choice if you’re looking for an anti-aging or softening formula addition.
Argan oil moisturizes the skin barrier with 95% of its makeup consisting of fatty acids (Source). Argan oil is also anti-inflammatory thanks to its abundance of oleic and linoleic acids (Source). On top of maintaining your skin’s moisture, argan oil heals the skin’s external barrier and prevents damage in one fell swoop (Source).
Quick Facts
Prevents transepidermal water loss
Increases skin elasticity
Acne Preventing
Great for all skin types
The perfect middle ground of light and heavy oil consistency
Benefits
Moisturizing
Bounty of antioxidants
Packed with fatty acids
Anti-inflammatory
Non-comedogenic
Quick skin absorption
Softening
Fades scarring
Skin-protecting
Recommended Uses
Skincare formulas
Used as a one-step ingredient for beautiful skin
Jojoba vs. Argan Oil
Now that we’ve gone through the benefits and details of the skincare world’s oil favs, let’s compare the two! We broke it down for you and had the oils battle it out in the following categories:
Moisture
Jojoba oil takes the cake for moisturizing properties thanks to its chemical similarities to natural human sebum and its ability to deeply penetrate the skin barrier.
Although argan oil is a skincare superstar with its lightweight hydration, it doesn’t have that perfect chemistry that jojoba has with your skin. However, argan oil could be the better option if you’re looking for a more lightweight formula.
Acne-prevention
Both oils are used for acne prevention due to their hydrating effects on the skin. In this category, there isn’t a clear winner because of the vast spectrum of skin types and their specific needs for acne treatment.
For example, if your skin is on the oily side with acne, argan oil is the better option because it has a lower comedogenic rating than jojoba oil. However, jojoba oil is better suited for those with dry or mature skin thanks to its protection of the skin barrier and redness-reducing effects.
Brightening
Recently, beauty trends have favored bright, youthful skin over the matte base the beauty community has seen over the years. As a result of their hydrating effects, jojoba and argan oil are both capable of producing that angelic glow that everyone strives for.
Anti-aging
With its ability to deeply penetrate skin barriers, jojoba oil is the winner for anti-aging effects. Like we’ve mentioned before, jojoba is a go-to oil for mature skin thanks to its similarities to human sebum.
Jojoba oil leaves wrinkled skin supple and produces a naturally youthful complexion. Argan oil leaves a moisturized effect on mature skin as well, but because of its lightweight nature, it doesn’t exactly take first place in the anti-aging category.
Shelf Life
Although both oils require to be stored in dark glass bottles to protect from light damage, jojoba has the best shelf life and durability (Source). Jojoba oil does not go rancid like other oils because it is technically a wax, making it much more reliable for storage purposes.
Final Thoughts
Overall, jojoba and argan oil are both skincare powerhouses when it comes to hydration and producing glowing, fresh skin. It’s helpful to remember that with any skincare ingredient, you should choose one that shows evidence of catering to your specific skin type.
At Genie Supply, we embrace the beauty of customization with our custom private label program. Jojoba and argan oil are just the beginning of the variety of nourishing oils that you can transform into the next big skincare product! Contact us today or chat with your direct representative to get started!