Why Jojoba not Olive Oil

We love olive oil. We drizzle it on our food, respect its centuries-long history in herbal medicine, and recognize its nourishing qualities for skin. But when it comes to daily-use skincare—especially leave-on balms—jojoba oil earns our vote. It’s not about demonizing olive oil. It’s about choosing the oil that best matches what your skin naturally understands.

What Your Skin Actually Needs

Your skin barrier thrives when it's fed what it already knows: stable lipids, bioavailable antioxidants, and soothing anti-inflammatory agents. Skin-compatible oils should be easily absorbed, unlikely to clog pores, and resistant to rancidity.
This is where jojoba oil shines. Technically a liquid wax ester (not a triglyceride-based oil like olive), jojoba is uniquely structured to mimic the skin’s natural sebum. That means it doesn’t just sit on top of the skin—it integrates. It hydrates without heaviness, balances oil production, and helps carry active ingredients deeper into the epidermis.

Why Jojoba?

Jojoba oil is:

• Molecularly similar to human sebum, meaning it’s highly skin-compatible and non-comedogenic.
• Exceptionally stable, with a long shelf life and resistance to oxidation—even without added preservatives.
• Naturally rich in vitamin E, a key antioxidant for protecting and repairing the skin barrier.
• Fast-absorbing and non-greasy, making it perfect for modern balm formulations that feel light yet nourishing.

At VÆR, we use cold-pressed, organic jojoba oil in every formulation where its properties enhance the skin’s natural balance. It’s our default carrier for infusions—especially for calendula—because it delivers healing compounds without interfering with the skin’s own rhythm.

What About Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a wonderful ingredient in the right context. It’s nutrient-rich, full of antioxidants, and has a long legacy of traditional topical use. But in modern skincare, especially for sensitive or acne-prone users, it comes with caveats.

Olive oil is:

• Composed mainly of triglycerides, which are heavier and slower to absorb than wax esters.
• More prone to oxidation, especially when exposed to heat, air, or light. This can reduce efficacy and even contribute to skin irritation.
• Potentially comedogenic in certain skin types, particularly when used as a leave-on ingredient in high concentrations.  That doesn’t mean it’s harmful. In cleansing oils or occlusive night balms, olive oil may still have a role. But for our goals—stable, fast-absorbing, and barrier-friendly skincare—jojoba consistently performs better.

Sustainability and Sourcing

Jojoba is grown in arid regions and requires minimal water. It’s drought-tolerant, non-GMO, and renewable. At VÆR, we source from trusted, organic growers who cold-press without solvents, preserving the oil’s full nutrient profile.
Olive oil can also be sustainably grown, but much of the olive oil used in cosmetics is refined, deodorized, or mixed with lower-grade oils—reducing both its nutrient density and skin benefits.

The VÆR Approach

We choose jojoba oil not because olive oil is bad—but because jojoba offers a better experience for your skin. It delivers nutrients more efficiently, helps balance the skin barrier, and keeps formulations shelf-stable without synthetic preservatives.
As we grow, you may see olive oil appear in a few limited products where its properties make sense. But as a rule, we defer to jojoba—not out of trendiness, but because it works.

In every decision we make—from fat to flower to oil—we ask: is this what skin truly needs?