Jojoba Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More
What is this page for?
First and foremost: how Jojoba interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Jojoba is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.
But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Jojoba is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Check Jojoba against your medication
Add one medicationDrugs that interact with Jojoba
0 medications have a known interaction with Jojoba, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.
We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Jojoba. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.
What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean
Severity — How Serious It Can Be
- Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
- Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
- Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
- No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.
Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented
- Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
- Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
- Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Where This Data Comes From
- Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
- Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Jojoba combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
- Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Jojoba: Uses, Safety & Side Effects
Jojoba is an oil-like wax pressed from the seeds of a desert shrub, used mainly on the skin and hair as a moisturizer and carrier oil. It is generally well tolerated when applied to the skin, but it should not be swallowed. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it for any specific skin condition.
- Scientific name
- Simmondsia chinensis
- Family
- Simmondsiaceae
- Part used
- Seeds (pressed into oil/wax)
- Common forms
- Oil (liquid wax), creams, lotions, hair products, soaps
- Skin moisturizer
- Hair and scalp care
- Acne-prone skin
- Soothing dry or irritated skin
- Carrier oil for essential oils
Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.
Generally safe applied to the skin, but jojoba should not be taken by mouth.
Topical use is likely low risk, but avoid swallowing it and check with your doctor first.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.
Overview
Jojoba (pronounced ho-HO-ba) comes from the seeds of Simmondsia chinensis, a hardy evergreen shrub that grows in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. The seeds are pressed to make what is commonly called jojoba oil.
Even though it is called an oil, jojoba is actually a liquid wax. Its makeup is closer to the natural oils (sebum) that human skin produces, which is one reason it is so popular in skin and hair products.
You will find jojoba in moisturizers, lotions, facial oils, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, and as a base or "carrier" oil that other essential oils are mixed into. It is used on the body, not taken by mouth.
How it works
Jojoba is made up mainly of long-chain wax esters that closely resemble the sebum naturally made by human skin. Because of this, it spreads easily, may help reduce water loss from the skin's surface, and tends to feel non-greasy.
Laboratory studies suggest jojoba may have mild soothing and antioxidant properties and may help support the skin's natural barrier. These mechanisms are mostly based on test-tube and small studies, so they should be viewed as promising ideas rather than firmly proven effects.
Does Jojoba work?
How to read these evidence grades
Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.
For Jojoba, current evidence isn’t strong enough to rate any specific use. The conditions it has been studied for are listed below.
Also studied for 3 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Acne
One low quality clinical study shows that applying a clay facial mask containing jojoba oil, 15 minutes 2-3 times weekly for 6 weeks, might reduce the number of whiteheads, blackheads, papules, and pustules in patients with acne. The results of this study are questionable due to the lack of a control group.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Alzheimer disease
One small clinical trial shows that massaging the hand with jojoba oil does not improve emotions, aggression, or cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease.
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Mosquito repellent
One small clinical study shows that topical application of a repellant containing jojoba oil, coconut oil, rapeseed oil, and vitamin E provides complete protection against mosquito bites for at least 3 hours. Some protection remains for up to 6 hours, but to a lesser degree than is seen with a repellant containing deet 15%. The effect of jojoba alone as a mosquito repellant is unclear.<br.<nb>
Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.
Safety & precautions
Jojoba is generally considered safe and well tolerated when applied to the skin. As with any new product, it is smart to do a small patch test on a small area of skin first to check for irritation or allergy before using it more widely.
Jojoba should not be swallowed. It contains a compound called erucic acid and other substances that may not be safe to eat, and taking it by mouth could cause digestive upset.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Applying jojoba to the skin is likely low risk, but there is not enough reliable research to be certain. Do not take it by mouth, and if breastfeeding, avoid applying it to the nipple or breast area where a baby could swallow it. When in doubt, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep jojoba products away from children, who might accidentally drink them.
Side effects
When used on the skin, jojoba rarely causes problems. The most common side effects are mild and may include skin redness, itching, or a rash, usually in people who are allergic or sensitive to it.
Allergic contact dermatitis (an itchy, irritated rash from an allergic reaction) has been reported but is uncommon. If you notice a rash, swelling, or worsening irritation, stop using it. Swallowing jojoba can cause stomach upset and should be avoided.
Jojoba: Reported Adverse Effects
Documented safety reports on Jojoba from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.
Side effects of jojoba are mainly limited to contact dermatitis and gastrointestinal concerns in animals fed large amounts of jojoba meal.
Dermatitis Dermatologic
Contact dermatitis to jojoba oil has been described in case reports.
- Wantke, F., Hemmer, W., Gotz, M., and Jarisch, R. Contact dermatitis from jojoba oil and myristyl lactate/maleated soybean oil. Contact Dermatitis 1996;34(1):71-72.
- Di Berardino, L., Di Berardino, F., Castelli, A., and Della, Torre F. A case of contact dermatitis from jojoba. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55(1):57-58.
Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
Dosing
There is no established medical dose for jojoba because it is used on the skin and hair, not taken by mouth. The right amount depends on the product and how you are using it.
Follow the directions on the product label, and use only enough to lightly cover the area you are treating. If you are using it as a carrier oil, mix it with essential oils as directed. If you have questions about how to use a jojoba product safely, ask your pharmacist or doctor.
Jojoba & Breastfeeding
© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center
Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center
References & further reading
The 6 references that drive our Jojoba monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
- Govere J, Durrheim DN, Baker L, et al. Efficacy of three insect repellents against the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis. Med Vet Entomol 2000;14:441-4.
- Lee, S. Y. [The effect of lavender aromatherapy on cognitive function, emotion, and aggressive behavior of elderly with dementia]. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi 2005;35(2):303-312.
- Di Berardino, L., Di Berardino, F., Castelli, A., and Della, Torre F. A case of contact dermatitis from jojoba. Contact Dermatitis 2006;55(1):57-58. PubMed
- Wantke, F., Hemmer, W., Gotz, M., and Jarisch, R. Contact dermatitis from jojoba oil and myristyl lactate/maleated soybean oil. Contact Dermatitis 1996;34(1):71-72. PubMed
- Meier L, Stange R, Michalsen A, Uehleke B. Clay jojoba oil facial mask for lesioned skin and mild acne - results of a prospective observational pilot study. Forsch Komplementmed 2012;19(2):75-9. PubMed
This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Brands that make products with Jojoba
3 brands in our database make a supplement containing Jojoba.
Supplement products with Jojoba
7 products in our database contain Jojoba. Open any to see its full ingredient list and every drug interaction we check.
Jojoba: Common Questions
What is Jojoba used for, and does it work?
Does Jojoba interact with prescription medications?
How are Jojoba interactions rated?
Is it safe to take Jojoba with my medications?
Where does this Jojoba interaction information come from?
What is Jojoba used for?
Can I take Jojoba oil by mouth?
Is Jojoba safe for acne-prone skin?
Can I use Jojoba while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Products that contain Jojoba
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