Beauty ingredient of the week: jojoba oil

The world of skincare is awash with buzzwords, unpronounceable scientific names and organic ingredients that sound exciting, but don't always have an obvious function. In a our new feature, international spa consultant and creator of Caribbean Essentials Linda Hall will unearth the key attributes of some of the most popular skincare ingredients, from Lemon to Ginger. This week, Linda reveals the secrets of Jojoba Oil - a liquid derived from the seed of the Jojoba plant, native to Arizona, California and Mexico. "Jojoba Oil is very similar, structurally and chemically, to the natural sebum of the skin and is therefore readily accepted by the skin as a powerful moisturiser. It contains myristic avid which has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions, and because the skin likes it, it is quickly absorbed to treat all kinds of imbalances and inflamed conditions. "Jojoba Oil is non-toxic, non-comedogenic and non-allergenic - this means that it will not clog pores and will not cause any allergic reactions. It is an anti-ageing, antioxidant oil high in vitamin E that will protect your skin daily from the damaging effects of free radicals." Jojoba Oil Products AVEDA ALL SENSITIVE CLEANSER (£17) - Suitable for clients with sensitive skin, this product cleanses and conditions the face while removing make-up and impurities. Aroma-free and dermatologist-tested. - Organic jojoba oil maintains the skin's lipid barrier during cleansing. - Chamomile, witch hazel and soapwort extracts aid in conditioning the skin. - A gentle, coconut-derived surfactant cleanses skin. www.aveda.co.uk CARIBBEAN ESSENTIALS REJUVENATING FACIAL ELIXIR (£25) - Designed to repair stressed and environmentally-damaged skin. - A range of natural ingredients including jojoba oil, camellia oil, lemon and vanilla. - Apply morning and evening for a happy, healthy, glowing complexion. www.caribbeanessentials.com ELEMIS BLISS FABULIPS SOFTENING LIP BALM (£12) - Enriched with shea butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil and vitamin E. - The salon-strength formula leaves lip moisturised, nourished and incredibly supple. - Apply to lips to soften, hydrate and keep chap in check. www.elemis.com