Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil

OriginNative to Sonoran Desert (US/Mexico). Extracted from seeds of Simmondsia chinensis, a shrub native to the Sonoran Desert region of North America. Cold-pressed from the seeds to obtain the liquid oil without chemical solvents.

simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil is a cosmetic ingredient used as emollient, hair conditioning, skin conditioning. Rated low hazard by EWG. Assessed as safe by the CIR.

Family

Simmondsiaceae (Jojoba family)

Plant Part

Seed

Lifeform

Shrub

Climate

Desert or dry shrubland

CAS #

90045-98-0

Form

Oil

Skin Types

●all-skin-types, gentle

Best For

Dryness

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe

Yes

Functions

Emollient

Fills in the tiny cracks between skin cells to make everything feel smooth and soft. The "silky finish" ingredient.

Hair Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Skin Conditioning

A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.

Locks In Moisture

The paper trail

🔬Peer-reviewed1 paper →

⚖️Regulatory1 listing →

🛡️Safety-assessed1 review →

Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.

EWG

CIR

Safe as used

Pregnancy

Yes

CIR Safety Findings

Not Phototoxic

Product formulation test found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 113)

Not a Sensitizer

6 studies / 6 not sensitizing / plus 1 case report (CIR 113 and 525)

Mixed Eye Irritation Results

2 studies / 1 irritating / 1 not irritating / reactions slight (CIR 113)

Mixed Skin Irritation Results

10 studies / 3 irritating / 2 mixed / 5 not irritating / reactions minimal to mild (CIR 113 and 525)

Regulatory Status

USA✔ permitted

EU⚠ restricted

JAPAN⚠ restricted

CANADA⚠ restricted

Regulatory Agencies

EWG CIR FDA EU COSING Health Canada

Verified Jun 2026

Data: Kew POWO · CosIng · EWG · CIR