Jojoba oil has been used for centuries by Native American tribes, particularly in the southwestern regions of North America. They extracted the oil from jojoba seeds to treat skin wounds, condition hair, and protect against harsh environmental conditions. Unlike typical vegetable oils, jojoba oil is technically a liquid wax, which closely resembles the natural sebum produced by human skin. This unique property made it highly valuable in traditional skincare practices.

In modern times, jojoba oil gained popularity as a sustainable alternative to whale oil in the 20th century. Today, it is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products due to its stability, non-comedogenic nature, and excellent moisturizing properties.