If you only learn one thing about face oils, learn this: jojoba is not an oil. It is a liquid wax, and that single fact explains why it feels the way it does, why it lasts for years when other oils turn in months, and why it is the first ingredient in Bloom Facial Oil.

A wax, not an oil

Jojoba comes from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis, a desert shrub native to the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Every other carrier oil in skincare, rosehip, almond, argan, olive, is a triglyceride: three fatty acids on a glycerol backbone. Jojoba is about 98 percent liquid wax esters, long fatty acids joined to long fatty alcohols with no glycerol at all (International Journal of Cosmetic Science review).

That structure happens to resemble a major fraction of human sebum, which is itself partly wax esters (BPB Reports). The practical result is an ingredient skin tends to tolerate unusually well: it spreads thin, absorbs without a greasy film, and sits in the skin’s own lipid layer rather than on top of it (Dermalogica).

Three things the wax structure buys you

• Texture. Jojoba has a dry, silky slip that reads as “light” even to people who dislike face oils. It is the reason Bloom reviewers so often say it doesn’t feel oily.
• Stability. Wax esters have very few of the unsaturated bonds that make triglyceride oils go rancid. Jojoba resists oxidation for years where rosehip can turn in months (Biome). In a blend, it helps protect the less stable oils around it.
• Fit for oily and combination skin. Jojoba rates about 2 on the 0-to-5 comedogenic scale (NBC Select), and because of the sebum-like structure it is one of the oils dermatology-adjacent sources most often suggest for breakout-prone skin. A 2 is low, not zero; patch-test if you congest easily.

Those are statements about feel, shelf life, and tolerability. We are not telling you jojoba treats anything. If you are breakout-prone, read our guide to choosing a CBD face oil for acne-prone skin before buying any oil.

What the research actually shows

Jojoba is one of the better-studied plant lipids. A 2022 review of sweet almond, evening primrose, and jojoba oils concluded that all three have genuine skin-care benefits for dry skin and water loss despite inconsistent study designs, and that jojoba performed comparably to petrolatum as a moisturizer in dry-skin comparison studies (Wiley review). A separate review of plant oils notes that jojoba, like almond, largely remains in the upper layers of the skin, forming a breathable, occlusive layer (Lin, Zhong and Santiago, 2018). That is exactly the job of a face oil: hold water in, not deliver a drug.

Why it leads Bloom’s label

Bloom’s ingredients, in descending order by weight: jojoba oil, rosehip oil, sweet almond oil, broad-spectrum hemp-derived CBD oil, geranium essential oil, all organic, of course.

Jojoba is first for three reasons. It is the most stable oil in the bottle, so leading with it extends the useful life of the rosehip. Its sebum-like structure makes it the most forgiving base for combination skin. And its dry texture lets the richer sweet almond add softness without the whole blend feeling heavy. The broad-spectrum CBD extract tests non-detect for THC on the certificate of analysis we publish, and the rose geranium at the end is the scent.

Jojoba for oil cleansing

Because it resembles sebum, jojoba is a common choice for the oil-cleansing method, where an oil is massaged into dry skin to loosen makeup and sunscreen, then removed with a warm, damp cloth (Healthline). Bloom’s product page lists oil-cleansing as one of its uses, and jojoba is why it works for that. Follow with your normal cleanser if you prefer a double cleanse.

How to use a jojoba-based face oil

• Apply to a clean, dry face, up to twice daily. A few drops to a quarter dropper (0.25 mL).
• Use it as the last step, after water-based serums and moisturizer, so it seals rather than blocks.
• Oily skin: one or two drops mixed into moisturizer is usually enough.
• Dry skin: press it over a cream at night; layer a body butter underneath on very dry zones.
• It also works as a makeup primer, a cuticle oil, and an after-waxing oil.

What customers say

Verified reviews, quoted as written:

“I haven’t wanted to try facial oils because a lot of them are too heavy. This oil is heaven on my face. It is light.” Kay G., 5 stars

“My skin feels more nourished since I started using it and it works really well with a vitamin C serum I also use.” Stacy G., 5 stars

“It feels good and smells good.” Hilary H., 5 stars

Frequently asked questions

Is jojoba oil good for oily skin?
It is one of the most commonly recommended oils for oily and combination skin because its wax-ester structure resembles sebum and it rates low (about 2 of 5) for comedogenicity. Start with a drop or two mixed into moisturizer.

Does jojoba oil clog pores?
Rarely. It rates about 2 of 5, which is low but not zero; if you congest easily, patch-test on one area for two weeks first.

Does jojoba oil go bad?
Very slowly. Its wax-ester structure resists oxidation far better than triglyceride oils, which is one reason it leads Bloom’s formula.

Can I use Bloom to remove makeup?
Yes. The Bloom facial oil works great as an oil-cleanser and helps to dissolve makeup and stubborn oil deposits. Massage a few drops into dry skin, then remove with a warm, damp cloth and follow with your usual cleanser if you like.

Does Bloom contain THC?
No. The broad-spectrum CBD extract in Bloom tests non-detect for THC; the batch report is on our Lab Results page.

Explore the full organic, vegan CBD skincare collection, or go straight to Bloom Facial Oil.

About the author

Jacob Dunn is the CEO of Sow Eden Organics. With a background in holistic wellness and sustainable agriculture, he has guided Sow Eden’s focus on organic, vegan, broad-spectrum CBD products that are independently lab tested batch by batch, with results published on the Lab Results page.

Hey, reader! Jacob, here... If you like the feel of jojoba oil and it is compatible with your skin type, I highly recommend checking out our Relax Massage Oil, because its primary ingredient is jojoba oil. It has the perfect glide and helps to nourish dry skin.  

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Sow Eden products are cosmetics and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have persistent acne or a diagnosed skin condition, see a board-certified dermatologist.