Have you ever wondered what jojoba oil smells like?
Maybe you’ve heard that it has a nutty odor, or perhaps you’ve read that it’s odorless.
With so much conflicting information out there, it can be hard to know what to expect when you crack open a bottle of this versatile liquid wax.
In this article, we’ll explore the properties of jojoba oil and take a closer look at its scent.
We’ll also discuss how to tell if your jojoba oil has gone bad and offer some tips for using it in aromatherapy.
So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of jojoba oil!
How Does Jojoba Oil Smell?
Jojoba oil is a unique substance that has a variety of uses in the beauty and wellness industry. One of the most common questions people have about jojoba oil is how it smells.
The answer is that it depends on the type of jojoba oil you have. Unrefined jojoba oil has a slightly nutty odor, while refined jojoba oil is odorless and colorless.
It’s important to note that pure jojoba oil should not have a rancid or unpleasant smell. If your jojoba oil smells off, it may have gone bad and should be discarded.
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is a liquid wax that is extracted from the seeds of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis). This plant is primarily found in warmer climates, such as southern California, southern Arizona, and northwestern Mexico. The jojoba plant has a very lengthy lifespan, which allows for jojoba oil to be highly stable and have a long shelf life.
Jojoba oil is relatively shelf-stable when compared with other vegetable oils mainly because it contains few triglycerides, unlike most other vegetable oils such as grape seed oil and coconut oil. It has an oxidative stability index of approximately 60, which means that it is more shelf-stable than safflower oil, canola oil, almond oil, or squalene but less than castor oil and coconut oil.
Jojoba oil contains many nutritional compounds, including essential long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It contains high portions of mono-unsaturated essential fatty acids and is loaded with Vitamin C and E. In addition, jojoba oils are used as carrier oils in aromatherapy. Carrier oils are oils that are extracted from the fatty portion of a plant and used to dilute the strength of essential oils. This allows the oil to safely carry the essentials to the skin to be used as a topical oil, without irritation.
Jojoba oil is best used at its purest form. It loses its potency when mixed with synthetic oils. Pure jojoba oil has neither a smell nor color. If it develops a rancid smell or dark color, note that this is a sign that the oil has gone bad.
The Properties Of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil has unique properties that make it a popular ingredient in beauty and wellness products. Unlike most other vegetable oils, jojoba oil contains few triglycerides, which makes it relatively shelf-stable. It has an oxidative stability index of approximately 60, which is higher than safflower oil, canola oil, almond oil, or squalene but lower than castor oil and coconut oil.
Jojoba oil is also a liquid wax, not an actual oil. It has a melting point of approximately 10°C and an iodine value of approximately 80. This makes it highly stable and gives it a long shelf life.
Additionally, jojoba oil contains many nutritional compounds, including essential long-chain fatty acids and fatty alcohols. It is high in mono-unsaturated essential fatty acids and loaded with Vitamin C and E. These properties make it a great choice for use in skin care products as it closely resembles the natural oils produced by human skin.
Jojoba oil also has natural anti-inflammatory properties and microbacterial properties that are healing for the skin. It can be used to treat acne, sunburn, and psoriasis. When used on hair, it can help mend split ends and combat brittleness. When used as a scalp treatment or hot oil treatment, jojoba oil can even aid in healthy hair growth.
The Scent Of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is often used as a carrier oil in aromatherapy because it has a very subtle fragrance that easily takes on the scent of other ingredients it is mixed with. The natural fragrance of jojoba oil has been described as smoky, nutty, and even slightly similar to bacon.
However, because jojoba oil does not have a strong smell of its own, it is often used as a base for natural perfumes. Its natural fixative properties make it an ideal base for perfumes because it helps the natural aromas from other ingredients to shine.
When making perfume oils, it’s important to add the base first, followed by the heart notes and then the head notes. Jojoba oil is a popular choice for perfume oils because it is a skin-loving oil that is leaner and closer to the skin than traditional alcohol-based perfumes.
How To Tell If Your Jojoba Oil Has Gone Bad
Jojoba oil has a relatively long shelf life, but it can still expire and go bad. Here are some ways to tell if your jojoba oil has gone bad:
1. Smell: One of the easiest ways to tell if your jojoba oil has expired is to smell it. Fresh, unprocessed jojoba oil hardly has any smell, just a faint earthy or nutty scent. However, expired jojoba oil will give off an unpleasant smell. If your jojoba oil smells rancid or off, it’s time to throw it away.
2. Appearance: Another way to tell if your oil has expired is to note its appearance. Fresh jojoba oil will have a light golden hue. Any changes to the color may mean it has expired.
3. Texture: Rancid jojoba oil will feel sticky and have an off-putting texture.
4. Taste: If you are able to taste the oil, rancid jojoba oil will have a strong and unpleasant flavor.
It’s important to note that exposure to heat, light and air may shorten the lifespan of your jojoba oil. Normally, jojoba oil will stay fresh for as long as 2 years before it expires. If you are not sure if your jojoba oil has gone bad, it’s best to throw it out and get a new bottle.
Using Jojoba Oil In Aromatherapy
Jojoba oil is a popular carrier oil in aromatherapy due to its unique properties. While it has a mild and almost imperceptible scent of its own, it easily takes on the fragrance of whatever else it is mixed with. This makes it an ideal carrier oil for essential oils in aromatherapy products.
When mixed with essential oils, jojoba oil can help enhance their therapeutic properties and provide a calming and soothing effect. It is also gentle on the skin and helps to moisturize and nourish it.
To use jojoba oil in aromatherapy, simply mix it with your favorite essential oils and apply it to the skin or use it in a diffuser. You can also add a few drops to your bathwater for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.
Conclusion: The Versatile And Pleasantly Scented Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil may not have a strong fragrance of its own, but it is highly versatile and can easily take on the scent of other ingredients it is mixed with. This makes it a popular choice as a carrier oil for essential oils in aromatherapy products, as well as in massage oils and aromatic lotions, creams, and cleansers. Jojoba oil’s natural fixative properties also make it an ideal base for natural perfumes.
In addition to its pleasant scent, jojoba oil has a wide range of pharmacological applications, including antioxidant, anti-acne and antipsoriasis, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, and anti-hyperglycemia activities. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in cosmetics for topical, transdermal, and parenteral preparations. Jojoba oil is also valued in the industry as an anti-rodent, insecticide, lubricant, surfactant, and a source for the production of bioenergy.
Furthermore, recent studies have shown that JD Jojoba Oil can stabilize fragrance materials by decelerating their evaporation rate. This means that when used as an ingredient in cosmetic products that contain some amount of oil, the scent can last longer even if highly volatile perfumes are used.
