Leaf Tissue: The waxy cuticle forms the major barrier to water loss in most plants. Its surface is coated with epicuticular wax esters that are very similar to those of jojoba.

Skin Tissue: The stratum corneum forms the major barrier to water loss in people. Its surface is coated with sebum that contains 25-30% liquid wax esters very similar to those of jojoba.

Over millions of years, an array of elegant esters evolved from many billions of actual "life or death" moisture-retention trials. These innumerable "research trials" have resulted in an extremely efficient wax ester surface barrier that resists oxidation and retains moisture, but is still non-occlusive. Jojoba, native only to the Sonoran Desert, is the only plant to produce this unique material in its seeds, as well as its leaves. In recent years this ideal solution for delicate moisture control began to flow from the desert.

There are vast structural and functional differences between the 98% pure liquid wax esters from jojoba seeds and the triacylglycerol (triglyceride) oils from all other plant seeds. Almost universally in nature, triacylglycerol oils are utilized internally for food metabolism, whereas wax esters, like jojoba, are used for external protection and moisture control.

Hundreds of millions of years ago similar surface wax esters enabled the first organisms to emerge from the sea to the land without drying out. Today the role of these protective wax esters to control moisture loss (transpiration) from the leaves of plants is well established. Desert survival depends on an efficient non-occlusive moisture barrier. Its porosity must allow enough water passage for the essential evaporative cooling that keeps jojoba trees from literally burning up. Jojoba plants are so well adapted to control water loss that biologists call them xerophytes.

Since the functional biochemistry of jojoba extract is so much different than that of ordinary triacylglycerol seed oils, for purposes of this brochure, jojoba "non-oil” extract will be distinguished from seed oils by describing it as Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E.

Triacylglycerol (triglyceride) oil molecule, typical of all seed extracts, except jojoba.

Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E helps avoid the two most important causes of premature aging of the skin: dryness and lipid peroxidation. Attempts to delay the progression of wrinkling, roughness, laxity, dryness and brown spots must include optimal moisturization and protection against photodamage with its associated free radicals. Each factor accelerates genetically controlled, chronological aging.

As people "mature", our skins with their diminishing lipids, become less effective at retaining moisture. The result is drier, rougher, and "harder" skin that can scale or even crack. The delicate moisture balance that determines the vitality of plants and people depends on the continuing ability of their surface layers to retain moisture. The same Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E that saves desert plants is now being used to save our own skins.

Many of the most effective formulations for skin care contain ingredients that are similar to the skin's own surface layers. Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E is not only very similar, but is completely miscible with the skin's sebum. When jojoba is applied to the skin, a very thin, non-greasy, NON-OCCLUSIVE and non-tacky mixture of the two materials is formed. Jojoba's non-occlusive moisture control function is enhanced by bends in its double bond structure that help avoid tight occlusive packing.

Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E serves as an excellent moisturizing agent that enhances the flexibility and suppleness of the skin. At the same time, its exceptional non-tacky spread and lubricity leave a rich velvety afterfeel.

University ophthalmologists have recently discovered that a very similar thin lipid layer (meibum from modified sebaceous glands) over the eyes' tear film is extremely important to prevent evaporation and dry eyes. Moisture control is essential for clear vision through the modified skin of the eye called the cornea. When meibum with its 55% esters is deficient the tears evaporate four times faster, causing dry eyes.

The skin is more difficult to directly evaluate than the transparent cornea of the eye. However, we do have good non-invasive bioengineering devices to measure transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and water content. Additionally, the efficacy of skin moisturizers can be inferred by measuring stiffness and compliance parameters with instruments such as an electrodynometer. Such functionality studies have determined that a 10% jojoba in water emulsion dramatically increases skin suppleness and reduces fine lines for over eight hours.
A 10% jojoba in water emulsion increased the skin's suppleness for over eight hours after application.

Fine Lines were significantly reduced for over eight hours by one application of a 10% jojoba in water emulsion.

Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E's excellent, long-lasting, dry emolliency is well recognized. Researchers report that "Jojoba gives a unique favorable texture to the skin", that "unacceptable glare and greasy feel is suppressed" and that jojoba "spreads well, does not shine, is moist to touch and softens and smoothes skin."

We compared 85 emollients and found Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E to produce "extraordinarily high scores" in a series of tests to determine initial slip and residual skin feel, oiliness, friction, smoothness and moisturizing effect. Jojoba's excellent lubricity and waterproofing can help meet a wide range of challenges: all the way from a baby's bottom to bedsores of the elderly.

Moisturizes Hair To Improve Texture and Manageability

One of the essential functions of lipids on the hair is moisture control. Keeping the hair fully hydrated is a guarantee of manageability, softness and shine. This is exactly what Onvax® Natural Jojoba does: it conditions the hair, and prevents it from becoming brittle and dull when submitted to unfavorable conditions.

It will also benefit the scalp by dissolving and displacing the lipid build-up that can clog pores and generate further problems (hair loss, greasy dandruff, greasy feel of the hair). Onvax® Jojoba + extra Vitamin E can be incorporated in shampoos, conditioners, scalp treatments, hair masks, hot oil treatments (in place of mineral oil), damaged hair formulations, and mousses.