Back in April I posted about how I started using Hope In A Jar.
Well, I recently got to the bottom of the two ounce supposed miracle worker, and I’m here to give my review.
Honestly? Not a huge fan. Maybe I just didn’t use it for long enough, but I can’t say I noticed the incredible results I was expecting. The only thing I liked about HIAJ was the texture - it was really lightweight and felt great when applied.
What I didn’t like:
- the smell was less than desirable
- it made my nose peel
- it made my eyes burn/water
- it didn’t make my skin any more refreshed/soft/”glowy” than before
So…my search for the perfect moisturizer continued on. Enter: Jojoba oil.
I first found out about Jojoba oil through my mom, who had seen it on the Dr. Oz Show. And, after just a week of using it, I’m already way more impressed that I was with HIAJ.
So, what is Jojoba oil?
Jojoba oil is actually a liquid wax derived from a jojoba seed. It offers a wide variety of benefits-everything from cosmetics to pesticides. It is an especially valuable component in many health and beauty aids. Historically, jojoba oil was used by the early Native Americans for many things, including wound treatment and skin healing. Many of its time-tested properties and effects on the body are just as useful today, despite all the other products on the market.
Jojoba is beneficial as a moisturizer [among many other things]. The waxy oil-like substance hydrates the skin, hair and nails while it provides nutrients. In addition to providing a protective coating on the skin to keep bacteria and grime out and moisture in, it also helps to reduce and to prevent wrinkles and stretch marks. (source)
I found Jojoba oil at it at our local natural health store, and a one ounce bottle cost just about $6. So, not only is Jojoba oil less expensive than HIAJ, but I can just tell it’s so much more natural. It doesn’t have that bitter, chemical-y smell that HIAJ had, and I feel like it’s really working on my skin when I leave it on overnight. After washing it off in the morning, my face feels softer and has much more of a glow that HIAJ ever resulted in.
I definitely want to give Jojoba oil another few weeks to see if I notice any other results, but for now I have a new favorite moisturizer.
Do you try to use natural skin care products? What are your favorites?
I'm the girl, Gracie Gordon. Here at GML you can follow my journey of dreaming, working, eating, loving, and blogging my way through life in NYC.
Yess!! I LOVE jojoba oil! We sell that exact brand in my department where I work and I ALWAYS recommend it
Vitamin E oil is great to because it promotes growth of new skin cells! Both make your skin glow.
I use witch hazel for everything from breakouts to bruises to sunburns. It has a million uses!
I use something similar calld Bio-Oil. I first started using it because it supposedly helps fade acne scars/spots but now I use it nightly for a moisturizer. Drug stores usually sell their brand of it for a little cheaper but it’s great stuff and worth the price. Lasts forever too since you only use a dime size amount, if that!
I use Bio-Oil too sometimes at night! And whenever I do my face looks and feels great in the morning!! I really should use it every night but sometimes i just forget!
I tried a sample of HIAJ from Sephora and hated it as well. I really love Kate Somerville oil-free moisturizer for the summer time and in the winter I just add the Kate Somerville Quench serum underneath. Kate products are incredible! I recently bought some Keihls products and really like those as well.
uugghh, I’m SO in the market for a new moisturizer. living at the beach, my skin is always shinetastic. I need to get me some jojoba love!
Thanks for the tip! I might get this and use it for my hair and my skin.
Coconut oil! Not only do I eat, I also slather it on my entire body. It’s awesome
Oh, and my hair too
I’ve heard that! I got a huge tub of coconut oil years ago to use in my hair (before I started eating it, haha) but never got around to using it and it expired :/ gonna have to give it a try again!
Hmm, I may have to try that out! I currently use Origins products for skincare and I love it, but it is just too expensive for me right now to buy again once I am out. Thanks for the tip!
I’m a big fan of vitamin E cream! The one I use has other natural oils in it too and my skin is shiny for about 20 mins after I apply it, but the shine goes away and I think the other oils make it smell great.
It’s not sticky or greasy feeling and it seems to even out my complexion! Plus my face actually feels completely hydrated for the rest of the day.
Good for you for going more natural though! I think that’s the best approach for pretty much everything!
I’ve heard that vitamin E is the best for your skin…gotta get on that!!
I’ve never really gotten into the natural skincare thing, but I’ve sworn by Olay’s moisturizer for years now. It’s the only thing I’ll use- it doesn’t leave my skin greasy at all, but makes it so soft!
I am such a drug store lover when it comes to face cream. I have had REALLY good luck with both clean and clear lotion and cedafil (I dont know if I spelled that right). But both are cheap and work great!
Thanks for the honest review! I’m always iffy about spending mega $$ on beauty products. Just because something is expensive, that doesn’t guarantee that it works!
I’ve never tried jojoba oil or any other natural oils, but it sounds fantastic. I’ve actually been looking for something to use on my hair - it’s been SO dry lately. I need to check this stuff out!
Do you put jojoba oil on your face everyday? I really want to try this!
every night before I go to bed
Chemically smell and made your nose peel?! That’s awful!I’m glad you found something better!
Sorry to be a hater, but I really don’t like Philosophy products. I haven’t tried Hope in a Jar but my uncle gave me some of their bath soap one time and it smelled really awful.
I don’t use any totally natural products, but I’ve really been trying to buy products that are more environmentally friendly and natural. In my shower right now: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner and Aveeno shampoo and conditioner. Love them both!
I’ve heard great things about Moroccan Oil for hair…didn’t know it came in shampoo form! Good to know!
I LOVE the Organix moroccan argan penetrating oil for my hair! It is AH-MA-ZING! I put it in my hair every night before bed and it looks so greasy but when i wake up in the morning all the oil has been absorbed and it is ridiculously soft and smells awesome!!!!! I love it!
I just started using some cream that Dr. Oz recommended on his show as well and I am very impressed with the product! He seems to know what is good for your skin!!
Thanks for a great tip. I do love coconut oil for body and hair but I would love to give this a try.
Okay, confession time. My favorite face cream is Johnson’s baby lotion. I have crazy dry skin, but I don’t like: A) a lot of smell B) spending a lot of money C) anything too heavy. Baby lotion is ideal. For the rest of my body, I use sesame seed oil and then apply lotion.
I do live in the desert where there is basically negative humidity, mind you…
I’m currently using HIAJ, and I have the exact same review as you! I went running the other morning, and I had applied the cream on the night before. I know face stuff stings when you get it in your eye, but it made my eyes water more than usual when I started to sweat.
The Sephora gals said it was the best product! I suppose they may be paid to say that…
Right?! NOT impressed by the supposed “best” product out there at all…glad to know I’m not the only one!
Ohh this was really interesting!! I have dry skin and am always looking for a great moisturizer! I think it’s really important to put good for you products on your face too because your skin absorbs all those toxins in the bad ones and in a world filled with all that stuff, why not make a decision to do your skin and health a favor!!
Can I recommend honey cleansing? I started washing my face with honey (ala Crunch Betty: http://crunchybetty.com/crunchy-betty-honey-challenge-the-finale-party) and it had worked wonders for my skin. I just wash with honey at night (two times a day was too much for my sensitive skin) and use a little vitamin e oil to moisturize (some people, though, don’t feel the need to moisturize after hone cleansing). I was nervous that it would make me break out hardcore, but it has done the absolute opposite. I have even gone a day or two without foundation (which I haven’t done since seventh grade…holla!). Anyway, all that is to say…try honey!
ohh, very interesting! I’ve never heard of honey cleansing. Thanks for that - I’ll have to try it one of these days for sure.