What it is
In the register’s words: “Jojoba Esters is a complex mixture of esters produced by the transesterification/interesterification of Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Oil (q.v.), Hydrogenated Jojoba Oil (q.v.), or a mixture of the two.”
- EU register name (INCI)
- JOJOBA ESTERS
What the register lists it for
These are the uses the European Commission’s CosIng register lists for Jojoba Esters in any cosmetic, hair roles first. They say why a maker might add it, not what it does in one formula, and they aren’t a safety rating.
- Emollient
-
Oils, butters and similar ingredients that make a surface feel soft and smooth. On hair they coat the strand; many plant oils carry this role.
Register definition: “Acting as lubricants on the skin surface providing the skin with a soft and smooth appearance.”
- Moisturizing
-
Raises the water content of the skin. Hair labels often list these for the scalp as well as the lengths.
Register definition: “Increasing the water content of the skin and keeping it soft and smooth.”
- Skin conditioning
-
The register’s broad role for ingredients that keep skin in good condition. On a hair label it often sits beside a hair role, or marks a plant oil or extract.
Register definition: “Maintaining the skin in good condition.”
- Soothing
-
Eases discomfort of the skin or scalp. It describes the feel, not a treatment.
Register definition: “Lightening discomfort of the skin or of the scalp.”
Where it sits on each label
US labels list ingredients from most to least, except that those at 1% or less may follow in any order. A name near the top is a large part of the formula. A label doesn’t mark where the 1% point falls, so further down, the order says little about how much is in it.
- Shampoos 1 label First five names: 0 of 1 Shampoos without it
- Deep conditioners 2 labels First five names: 0 of 2 Deep conditioners without it
- Stylers 1 label First five names: 1 of 1 Stylers without it
Every label, product by product (4)
- OLAPLEX Nº.4CURL Bond Shaper Hydrating Curl Shampoo Shampoo 22nd of 62 names
- Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Deep conditioner 11th of 34 names
- PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditioner 12th of 26 names
- Bounce Curl Light Hold Creme Gel Styler 5th of 20 names
Each line runs from the first name on a label to the last; a dot is where this ingredient sits. Makers change formulas now and then; if the list on your bottle differs, go by your bottle.
Your next step
Other emollient ingredients on these labels
- Cetearyl Alcohol 80 labels
- Cetyl Alcohol 45 labels
- Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil 31 labels
- Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil 25 labels
- Stearyl Alcohol 23 labels
- Glyceryl Stearate 15 labels
- Glycol Distearate 15 labels
- Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate 15 labels
Updated · The name, numbers and uses come from the European Commission’s CosIng entry (CC BY 4.0); we write the uses in US spelling and put the hair ones first. The labels are each maker’s own. The order rule is the FDA’s Cosmetics Labeling Guide. All our sources are on the Sources page.