Jojoba Oil in Organic and Natural Beauty Care

Jojoba is evergreen tree, native to the Sonoran Desert in the American Southwest. It requires minimum amount of water and manure to cultivate, is extremely resistant to plant diseases and insects, and perfect choice for dry, arid regions. Jojoba oil is extracted from nuts of jojoba trees and used in variety of applications from food to beauty.

Contrary to the popular belief, jojoba oil is not oil at all. Chemically it is a mixture of liquid wax esters. The only reason it is called so is because is it an oil-resembling liquid.  It is a highly stable, oxidation resistant liquid wax with high molecular weight, meaning it can stand for a long time without becoming rancid.

It is most commonly used in its refined and unrefined form. Unrefined jojoba oil is a clear golden liquid while refined jojoba oil is a colorless and odorless liquid. Based on purification and processing, jojoba oil is additionally divided into four grades:

• Grade one
  • Pure and natural type jojoba oil, with a golden or yellow color, preferably used in organic and natural cosmetics.
• Grade two
  • Refined and bleached jojoba oil that is colorless.
• Grade three
  • De-colored and deodorized grade, commonly used in mainstream cosmetics.
• Grade four
  • Molecular distilled oil that is very expensive.

Grade one jojoba oil is most similar to skin sebum which is why it is preferred as an additive to many skin care and hair care products. It is non-toxic, non-comedogenic, non-allergenic, anti-bacterial and non-irritating, so it does not clog pores and does not cause allergic reactions. This makes jojoba oil a logical choice for natural and organic bath and beauty products.

Being similar to skin sebrum, jojoba oil is readily absorbed into skin and does not leave oily residue like other oils do. It has a high content of beneficial minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin E, so jojoba oil is very nutritious and unparallel in dry skin and hair care. If that is not enough, jojoba oil is a strong antioxidant which protects skin from the damaging effects of free radicals which ages skin prematurely.  This is why 90%of all jojoba oil produced is used in the cosmetic and hair industry. Many bath and beauty organic and natural products are also built and manufactured around it.

Who knew such an unassuming little oil wannabe could be so good at keeping us beautiful?

For ideas on how to use jojoba oil in everyday beauty care, follow Nina Bella Collection blog and visit our website!

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Peppermint Foot Treatment

Dry, calloused feet are never a welcome or a pretty sight. Whether just for cosmetic or practical reasons, most of us will agree that dry calloused feet are an annoying and persistent nuisance. Dryness can be caused by variety of factors, from genetic to environment. The most common denominator seems to be exposure to harsh cleaning agents, walking barefoot, cold weather and yes – natural tendency toward having dry skin. Whatever the reason, loss of natural skin oils will cause feet skin to loose moisture which in turn causes dryness. This, in combinations with poor footwear choice, flat feet and general lack of foot care, can lead to corns, calluses and bunions. Left untreated, this can bring about skin cracking, bleeding and infection. In other words, cranky, painful, dry, tired looking feet.

But there is hope! Wearing cotton socks, avoiding going barefoot and well fitted shoes are a great start towards preventing dry calloused feet. Adding foot soaks, pumice stone scrubs and comprehensive foot moisturizing treatment will go a long way toward healing dry callused skin. Here is one of our favorite natural foot treatments which uses almond oil to moisturize, lemon to exfoliate and peppermint essential oil to smooth and refresh dry foot skin:

 Peppermint Foot Treatment:

 Ingredients:

 6 drops of peppermint essential oil

¼ cup almond oil

¼ cup lemon juice

Add peppermint essential oil to almond oil and mix well. Add lemon juice and mix well. To use apply a small quantity of ready Peppermint Foot Treatment to clean dry feet. Rub in well until fully absorbed. Use four times a week for best results. Store ready mixture in the fridge for up to three weeks.

Treat your feet kindly and your feet will treat you kindly in return!

Enjoy this and more natural treatments from Nina Bella Collection every week!