The prickly pear is the fruit of a tree called Opuntia ficus-indica, more commonly known as the prickly pear cactus. Cold pressing its seeds yields an oil with numerous benefits for the skin, hair, and nails. On the market, one can also find the oil macerate, which is less active than the pure oil.
How to properly choose your prickly pear oil?
Published on October 28, 2021, updated on October 4, 2024, by Maylis, Chemical Engineer — 3 min of reading
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Choosing the right Prickly Pear oil.
To take full advantage of the numerous benefits of thePrickly Pear oil, you must choose your skincare product wisely, opting for a manufacturing process that respects the active substances. Be careful not to confuse pure oil with its oily macerate, which is also found in the cosmetic market. The latter is obtained by macerating fresh fruits or leaves of the fig tree in a neutral vegetable oil such as sunflower oil. Although it is less expensive than the oil, it is much less rich in active ingredients and will provide fewer benefits to the skin and hair. Therefore, remember to check this parameter before purchasing your bottle.
On the other hand, the oil should be stored in an opaque bottle at a moderate temperature: numerous factors such as heat and UV rays can alter its components through oxidation processes.
At Typology, theprickly pear seed oil comes from the cold pressing of organic prickly pear seeds. It is suitable for all skin types, particularly for mature, flaky, and dehydrated skin. It provides your skin with a powerful tightening and firming effect.
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The associations with Prickly Pear Oil.
To prevent skin aging and reduce wrinkles, you can mix your oil with a few drops ofhemp oil or rosehip oil.
Thanks to its Vitamin E content, prickly pear oil helps to diminish under-eye circles. Combine it with the avocado vegetable oil for an optimal decongesting and smoothing effect.
If you have dry skin, mix your prickly pear oil with a baobab vegetable oil to provide nourishment and repair.
Sources
APREA E. & al. Prickly Pear Seed Oil Extraction, Chemical Characterization and Potential Health Benefits. Molecules (2021).
SANTINI A. & al. Opuntia spp. : Chemistry, Bioactivity and Industrial Applications. Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals (2021).
