Hoba Jojoba Oil: The Complete Guide

What it is

Hoba is 100% cold-pressed jojoba from Egyptian farms in the Nile Delta. Nothing is added and nothing is refined out. Chemically it is a wax ester, not a triglyceride oil like olive or almond. That one difference explains almost everything people love about it: it feels light, it sinks in within a minute or two, it doesn't go rancid easily, and it works on nearly every skin type in the house, from babies to beards.

If you only own one Katari product, make it Hoba. It is a cleanser, a moisturizer, a makeup primer, a makeup remover, a hair and beard oil, and a carrier for everything else.

Where it comes from

Our jojoba grows on a farm near Alexandria in the Nile Delta, where river sediment has fed the soil for thousands of years. It is pressed by Amr, our oil maker in Egypt, and his team, using a slow cold press that keeps the oil below the temperatures that strip out its natural compounds. We have walked the process from seed to bottle ourselves. It is bottled by hand in hand-blown glass, with a cork instead of plastic.

Read the story of how Kate met Amr and found our Hoba.

How to use it

The daily ritual

1. Mist first. Spray Roseau or Géran (or splash plain water) onto clean skin. Oil on damp skin spreads further and seals the water in.
2. Press in 2-3 drops. Warm them between your palms and press into face and neck. More is not better; add a drop only if skin still feels tight.
3. Let it settle. Give it a minute before makeup or sunscreen. Hoba absorbs fast and leaves a soft, velvety finish.

Every other way to use it

• Oil cleanser and makeup remover. Massage a few drops over dry skin, including waterproof mascara, then wipe with a warm, damp cloth or sea sponge.
• Makeup primer. One or two drops on damp skin makes foundation glide on, especially on dry skin.
• Body moisturizer. Smooth over damp skin straight out of the shower, a few drops at a time.
• Hair and scalp. 1-2 drops for fine hair, more for textured hair. Work into damp ends, or into the scalp 10 minutes before washing.
• Beard and shave. Soften the beard after a hot shower; apply before shaving cream and again after.
• Hands, feet and cuticles. Apply generously, cover with cotton gloves or socks, and leave on for an hour or overnight.
• Lips. A dab any time, or mix with raw sugar for a quick lip scrub.
• Massage and carrier oil. Hoba carries essential oils beautifully and washes out of sheets.

The chemistry

Most plant oils are triglycerides. Jojoba is a long-chain wax ester, which is very close to the wax esters in human sebum. That is why it feels like skin rather than like a coating, and why it is so stable on the shelf.

Lab analysis: Egyptian National Research Centre, 2026.

Who it's for

• Oily and breakout-prone skin that has been over-stripped and now over-produces oil. Hoba gives skin moisture without heaviness.
• Dry and mature skin as the base layer under Rubi or Barie.
• Sensitive skin that reacts to fragrance, preservatives and long ingredient lists.
• The whole household: babies, teens, beards and hands.

For professionals

Estheticians use Hoba as a massage medium, an oil-cleanse step, and a buffer for clay treatments. It is fragrance-free and pairs with nearly every other Katari product. For treatment rooms, Hoba is available in 32 oz refills and in our Spa Back Bar.

Storage and shelf life

Jojoba is one of the most stable plant ingredients there is. Hoba has a 2-year shelf life. Keep the cork closed and the bottle out of direct sun. For the freshest oil, we suggest enjoying it within 3-6 months of receiving it. It can turn cloudy or slightly solid in the cold; that is the wax doing what wax does, and it clears at room temperature.

Safety

For external use only. Patch test any new product: apply a little to your inner forearm once a day for two days. If you notice redness, itching or swelling, rinse with cool water and stop using it. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing or under a doctor's care, check with your doctor first.

Questions