Are you struggling with fungal acne and looking for a natural remedy?
Jojoba oil has been touted as a miracle ingredient for skincare, but is it safe to use for those with fungal acne?
In this article, we’ll explore the properties of jojoba oil and whether it can help or harm those with fungal acne.
Read on to find out more.
Is Jojoba Oil Good For Fungal Acne?
Jojoba oil is a natural oil that possesses many beneficial properties for the skin. It has anti-inflammatory agents, healing properties, is moisturizing, and is a natural antimicrobial. These properties suggest that jojoba oil could help you avoid breakouts as well as promote healing for mild acne.
However, when it comes to fungal acne, it’s important to be cautious. Fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, and fungi feed on oils and fatty acids. This means that using oils or lipid-based products can exacerbate the condition.
While jojoba oil is generally safe for most skin types, it is not recommended for those with fungal acne. Instead, it’s best to avoid oils and fatty acids altogether and opt for products that are safe for fungal acne, such as squalene, mineral oil, and capric triglycerides.
Understanding Fungal Acne
Fungal acne is a skin condition that is often mistaken for traditional acne, but it is actually caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. This type of acne is more common in warm and humid climates, and can be exacerbated by sweating and using products that contain oils or fatty acids.
To properly treat fungal acne, it’s important to understand which ingredients to avoid. Fungi feed on oils and fatty acids, so it’s best to steer clear of these elements altogether. Some examples of ingredients to avoid include lauric acid, myristic acid, tridecylic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid.
Esters in skincare products should also be avoided, as they are a combination of a fatty acid and an alcohol or glycerol. Polysorbates are another sneaky ingredient that can cause fungal acne to grow. Fatty alcohols, which often come from vegetable sources like coconut or palm oil, should also be avoided.
It’s important to note that coconut oil should be avoided for both traditional and fungal acne sufferers because it’s highly comedogenic and made up of lauric acid, one of the main fatty acids to avoid.
To ensure that your skincare products are safe for fungal acne, check the ingredient lists for any of the above ingredients. There are also websites like sezia.co and Folliculitis Scout that can help you check if your current skincare products are safe for fungal acne.
What Is Jojoba Oil?
Jojoba oil is a natural oil extracted from plants indigenous to North America. It is structurally and chemically similar to human sebum, which means it mimics the structure of the human skin. This allows it to replicate or dissolve oil depending on the skin’s overproduction or underproduction of oils, balancing out sebum production and eliminating acne.
Jojoba oil is mainly good for skincare due to the advantages that it exhibits. There is abundant evidence supporting the use of pure jojoba oil as a remedy for acne, dry skin, and other skin diseases. Jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer due to its humectant (moisture-preserving) property. It forms a protective shield over the skin, locking in moisture and preventing moisture loss. This makes it effective against dryness, flaking, and itching.
The phenolic compounds in jojoba oil have contributed to the antioxidant effects. This means that jojoba oil can help the skin fight the oxidative stress caused by everyday pollutants and harmful toxins. Besides, it prevents signs of premature aging of the skin, such as wrinkles, blemishes, age spots, and reduced skin elasticity.
Studies have shown that jojoba oil can hasten the wound healing process. It encourages the skin cells to bind together after a cut or scratch. The antioxidants found in this oil enhance the blood flow to the damaged area, promoting the formation of healthy cells.
Jojoba oil is typically non-irritating and rarely causes any allergic reaction. This hypoallergenic property can be attributed to the fact that jojoba oil is wax on a molecular level and forms a soothing seal on the surface.
Properties Of Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a unique liquid wax that is extracted from jojoba seeds. Unlike other oils, it has a molecular structure that is similar to human sebum, making it an excellent moisturizer. Jojoba oil works to seal the skin with a protective barrier to keep it from losing moisture, which helps prevent bacterial infections, dandruff, and acne from forming. It is also a humectant ingredient, which means that it has good moisturizing efficacy and can help slow down the appearance of aging and help fade lines and wrinkles.
Jojoba oil has antifungal and antimicrobial properties, making it effective at killing bacteria that cause salmonella and candida. It also has antioxidant properties due to its high concentration of vitamin E, which helps fight oxidative stress caused by exposure to toxins and other pollutants on a daily basis. Jojoba oil is hypoallergenic, typically non-irritating, and allergic reactions are rare if any.
In addition to its benefits for the skin, jojoba oil is also perfect for hair hydration. It helps fortify hair follicles, causing hair to grow stronger and healthier while reducing hair breakage. The vitamin E in jojoba oil adds shine and volume to one’s tresses.
Finally, jojoba oil has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, helping relieve dryness, flaking, and itching. People with inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema may find jojoba oil beneficial. A study published in the journal Complementary Medicine Research found that healing clay jojoba oil facial masks can be an effective treatment for lesioned skin and mild acne vulgaris.
Risks Of Using Jojoba Oil For Fungal Acne
If you have fungal acne, using jojoba oil can potentially worsen your condition. While jojoba oil is generally safe for most people, it contains fatty acids that can feed the yeast responsible for fungal acne. This can lead to an increase in the overgrowth of yeast and exacerbate the condition.
Furthermore, jojoba oil contains erucic acid, which can cause serious side effects such as heart damage when taken orally. While using jojoba oil topically is generally safe, it’s important to do a patch test on your skin first to rule out any allergic reactions. Some people have reported skin irritation after using the oil on a consistent basis, so it’s best to use caution if you have sensitive skin.
It’s important to note that while jojoba oil has been found to be effective in treating acne and psoriasis, there is limited research on its effectiveness in treating fungal acne. Therefore, if you have fungal acne, it’s best to avoid using jojoba oil and opt for other products that are safe for fungal acne.
How To Use Jojoba Oil For Fungal Acne
If you have fungal acne, it’s best to avoid using jojoba oil as a moisturizer or spot treatment. However, if you still want to use jojoba oil, it can be used in combination with tea tree oil for its antifungal properties.
To use jojoba oil for fungal acne, mix 1-2 drops of tea tree oil with 10-12 drops of jojoba oil and a clean applicator like reusable cotton pads. Dab the mixture lightly on the affected area and wait for it to dry. You can also use it as a spot treatment with the help of Q-tips.
It’s important to note that if you have excessively dry and sensitive skin, it’s best to do a patch test on your arm before applying the mixture anywhere on your body. If you develop a rash or other allergic response, discontinue use immediately.
