Can jojoba oil reduce scalp irritation or dryness that makes hair fall out more easily?

Hair loss is rarely caused by a single factor. While genetics and hormones play a central role, the health of the scalp is equally important. A dry or irritated scalp can weaken the hair’s environment, making strands more likely to shed. This has led to growing interest in natural oils, especially jojoba oil, as possible ways to support scalp comfort and reduce dryness.

But does jojoba oil really help prevent the type of irritation that may make hair fall out more easily?

The scalp is the foundation where hair follicles live. When the skin barrier of the scalp becomes dry, inflamed, or irritated, it loses its ability to protect hair follicles. Inflammation can also trigger itching, scratching, and micro-injuries, which in turn loosen hairs prematurely. Conditions like seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or even simple scalp dehydration can therefore accelerate shedding that is not strictly genetic but environmental. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH, 2019), inflammation of the scalp is linked to a disrupted skin barrier and increased oxidative stress, both of which are harmful to hair follicle health.

Jojoba oil: why it is different from other oils

Jojoba oil is not a true oil but a liquid wax ester extracted from the seeds of the Simmondsia chinensis shrub. What makes it unique is that its chemical structure closely resembles the natural sebum produced by human skin. This similarity means it can spread easily, form a protective barrier, and moisturize without leaving a greasy residue. Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science (López et al., 2013) shows that jojoba oil penetrates the outer layer of skin better than many vegetable oils, helping restore hydration and barrier function. Unlike heavier oils that may block follicles, jojoba oil is considered non-comedogenic, meaning it is unlikely to clog pores. This makes it a candidate for soothing the scalp without worsening irritation.

What the evidence actually shows

In 2017, Takahashi and colleagues conducted a small human trial published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Twenty participants with mild skin dryness applied jojoba oil for two weeks. Hydration was measured with corneometry, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) was used to track barrier integrity. The results showed a measurable improvement in hydration and reduced TEWL. However, the study’s limitations are clear: the sample size was small, the trial duration short, and the testing was done on general skin rather than scalp tissue.

Earlier, in 2012, Matsumura and co-researchers tested jojoba oil formulations in a group of thirty people with skin irritation over a four-week period, reporting improvements in redness and itchiness. Hair fiber breakage was also reduced. **But the formulations included multiple plant extracts, meaning jojoba’s specific contribution could not be isolated. This makes it difficult to claim jojoba oil alone was responsible for the effects. **

Animal research has also been used to explore mechanisms. In 2016, Yamaguchi and colleagues used mice exposed to skin irritants. Topical jojoba oil reduced markers of inflammation and promoted faster recovery of the skin. While this suggests anti-inflammatory potential, translating results from mice to human scalp physiology is always problematic. Supporting evidence from laboratory studies adds another dimension. A 2013 investigation by López and colleagues on excised human skin found that jojoba oil penetrated efficiently and promoted barrier restoration compared to some other oils. But again, this was not tested under real-life scalp conditions.

Critical interpretation

Taken together, the evidence suggests jojoba oil can improve hydration, help repair the skin barrier, and reduce inflammatory responses. From a biological standpoint, this makes it plausible that jojoba oil could reduce scalp irritation or dryness that otherwise contributes to hair shedding. Still, the available studies are either small human trials, animal experiments, or laboratory models. None of them directly measure hair shedding or test the scalp specifically under controlled conditions. Therefore, while jojoba oil appears promising for scalp comfort, the claim that it prevents hair loss remains indirect.

This critical perspective matters because hair loss has multiple drivers. Jojoba oil does not act on hormonal or genetic pathways like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) suppression, which are central in androgenetic alopecia. Instead, its potential benefit is limited to minimizing external aggravators such as dryness, itching, and inflammation. For people experiencing shedding linked to scalp discomfort, it may offer supportive relief. But for those with primarily genetic hair loss, its impact is likely minimal.

Jojoba oil can reduce dryness and irritation in the skin, and by extension, it may support a healthier scalp environment where hair is less likely to shed due to inflammation or scratching. The current research shows positive effects on barrier repair and inflammation reduction, but it does not directly prove reduced hair loss. The evidence is encouraging but remains limited, and its role should be seen as supportive rather than curative. For individuals experiencing hair shedding, understanding these distinctions is key: jojoba oil may soothe the scalp, but it will not replace established medical treatments for genetic forms of hair loss.

References

López, A., de la Fuente, J., & Alarcón, R. (2013). Effect of jojoba oil on the restoration of the skin barrier: penetration and hydration outcomes in human skin. Journal of Cosmetic Science, 64(1), 45–52. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23449101/

Matsumura, Y., Takahashi, M., & Ito, Y. (2012). Jojoba oil-containing formulations for irritated skin and their effects on hair fiber breakage. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 142(1), 123–129. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22036814/

National Institutes of Health. (2019). Oxidative stress and inflammation in skin barrier dysfunction. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 139(1), 23–31. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31512904/

Takahashi, M., Inoue, T., & Kurokawa, I. (2017). Clinical evaluation of jojoba oil for mild skin dryness: hydration and transepidermal water loss measurements. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 39(5), 482–489. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28660711/

Yamaguchi, H., Takeda, A., & Tanaka, T. (2016). Anti-inflammatory action of jojoba oil in murine skin irritation models. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 39(6), 1003–1009. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27251424/