Prickly Pear Oil/ Cactus Seed Oil /Prickly pear seed oil a moisturizing, soothing oil derived from the prickly pear cactus—is quickly gaining momentum in the skincare world, and for good reason. Extremely rich in vitamin E and brimming with antioxidants, the prickly pear seed oil is one of the most powerful, luxurious skincare ingredients on the market.

The prickly pear seed oil also is found as a low-priced herbal oil, which certainly doesn’t carry the therapeutic qualities of the pure genuine cold-pressed prickly pear seed oil. The herbal oil is made by Maceration – a process in which the blossoms of the prickly pears are inserted into oil and temporarily kept at average room temperature so that the blossoms can be “leached out” by the carrier oil, much similar to Calendula herbal oil.

The prickly pear seed oil contains more than 85% of unsaturated fatty acid, being 65% of Linoleic acid and only 11% of Oleic acid. WHEN UNREFINED IS 0 in the non-comedogenic scale being is one of the most beneficial oils for the treat aged sensitive skin

The oil is also ultra-rich incomplete radical scavengers. A-Tocopherol 81.9%, G-Tocopherol 3%, and D-Tocopherol 1.2%, act as natural antioxidants protecting prematurely age from free radicals

Prickly pear is a member of the cactus family Cactaceae which is also known as prickly pear cactus and nopal. It could be found in Australia, Africa, and the Mediterranean. The oil is extracted by pressing the seeds which require about eight tons of cactus fruit for making 1 liter of oil. It contains phytosterols, linoleic acid, and Vitamin E. It helps to moisturize, nourish and protect the skin’s health. It has a high content of tocopherols that helps balance cell membranes and protects the tissues of the eyes, skin, and breast. It has a high content of tocopherols as well as omega 6-fatty acids that help to maintain skin health. Due to its extractive method and enormous amounts of seeds, its cost is expensive.

History

Prickly pear is native to South America and Mexico. It is a nutritious and edible cactus that is widely grown in Australia, South Africa, Southern Europe, and the Southwestern United States.

Though the origin of Prickly pear is uncertain, it is believed to have been originated from South American country Mexico. It was imported in the 16th century from America. It could be found in semi-arid areas such as South America, South Asia, Southern Europe, Australia, and islands with temperate climates. It was included in Global Invasive Species Database. Moreover, it has additional functionality to support cattle and people during famine and drought. Prickly pear was introduced to Northern Ethiopia for this purpose. Today, its plantation covers an estimated area of 350 hectares. It was a threat to both animals and plants.

In recent years, it has been prized for the oil that could be derived from very small seeds found in the fruit named prickly pear. Prickly pear seed oil possesses anti-aging properties. It is used for medicinal purposes in pharmaceutical laboratories.

What are the components of prickly pear seed oil that make it so effective?  

All vegetable oils (yep, prickly pear is a vegetable and a fruit—the green pods are a veggie, the pears are a fruit) contain nonessential and essential fatty acids (EFAs). When the skin doesn’t get enough EFAs, its barrier is affected, and we’re at risk of dry, irritated, or dull complexions.

Of any beauty oil on the market, prickly pear contains the highest percentage (88%) of unsaturated fatty acids, which are essential to stimulating healthy cell production and turnover. It also contains the highest level of tocopherol, or vitamin E, which protects the skin and helps it retain moisture.

Fatty Acids

The constitution of prickly pear seed oil’s essential and non-essential fatty acids (EFAs) are worth delving into a bit further:

• 60.5% linoleic acid – An omega-6 EFA, linoleic acid at once nourishes and repairs. Linoleic acid strengthens our skin’s barrier, allowing it to better retain moisture. Sometimes referred to as vitamin F, this fatty acid fights inflammation while healing. It also has acne-reducing properties and helps soften the skin. It can even help heal cold sores and minor burns. Nails, cuticles, and hair also benefit from this wonderful moisturizer.
• 20.6% oleic acid – Also found in avocados, almond oil, and olive oil, this fatty acid seals in moisture and helps other beneficial ingredients more easily penetrate the skin.
• 13.9% palmitic acid – Also found in palm tree oil, research has found that this acid has antioxidant and healing properties, and can even help with dermatitis and eczema. It’s found naturally in our skin, but quantities diminish as we age.

Tocopherols (Vitamin E)

The prickly pear seed oil contains almost 150% more vitamin E than argan oil. Wild, right? (Vitamin E is found in tocopherols, a class of eight different organic chemical compounds.) This naturally occurring antioxidant acts as a free radical scavenger, preventing them from causing damage that leads to signs of aging. It also has serious anti-inflammatory properties, helping wounds heal faster, and can even repair damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution. It’s great for sunburns and redness as well.

Vitamin E is a superb moisturizer, hydrating skin while preventing further water loss. This can diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Great anti-aging agents, tocopherols protect the skin cells that make collagen and elastin (a protein that helps skin keep its shape) and can fade acne scars.

Phytosterols

This component of prickly pear seed oil is similar to cholesterol, as it binds to water. This is great news for our skin—when applied topically, water-binding phytosterols help the skin retain moisture, making for a strong, healthy skin barrier. They also assist in collagen production, keeping our skin youthful and soft, and have even been found to reverse the effects of aging.

Polyphenols

These compounds are a real powerhouse: Not only do they boast antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, but they also fight oxidative stress—an imbalance between free radical production and the body’s ability to defend against them. Like tocopherols, they are also free radical scavengers. Polyphenols prevent and treat sun damage, and can help with redness and irritation.

Health benefits of Prickly pear seed oil

Let us discuss on the health benefits provided by Prickly pear seed oil are:

1. Absorption

Prickly pear oil has essential fatty acids about 60% of Linoleic acid. It is easily absorbed into the skin. It deeply penetrates the skin without leaving a greasy residue behind.

2. Skin elasticity

Due to antioxidant activity, it stimulates the renewal of cells by providing fresh and new skin. It lowers hyper-pigmentation and redness.

3. Nourish skin

Prickly pear seed oil helps to hydrate skin and is helpful for mature and dry skin. The high content of linoleic acid calms the dehydrated skin by deeply penetrating it.

4. Pore tighten

Prickly pear oil has essential fatty acids that moisten the collagen layer of skin and make the pores tight.

5. Brighten skin

Prickly pear oil helps to eliminate dark spots and also brighten the skin. It lightens dark circles under the eyes and also lowers spider veins.

6. Slows down the aging process

It has a high content of Betalains which are antioxidants having anti-aging effects.

7. Eliminate free radicals

Prickly pear oil has ample amounts of Vitamin E that eliminates free radicals and assist to renew cells. It lowers wrinkles and adds firmness by preventing free radical damage.

8. Unclog pores

Being non-comedogenic and high content of linoleic acid and oleic acid, it won’t clog the pores as well as a breakout.

9. Soothe inflammation

Prickly pear oil has a soothing, deeply nourishing, and non-irritating activity that helps to calm inflammation and also hydrates skin.

Skin Benefits

•  Packed with antioxidants & essential fatty acids

Shown to moisturize and soften wrinkles, stimulate new cell growth, calm inflammation, help restore elasticity, and brighten skin, Prickly Pear Seed Oil is extremely rich in vitamins E and K, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants. The oil has a high concentration (60.5%) of linoleic acid, an omega-6 essential fatty acid that is known to nourish and repair skin.

• Fast absorbing

Prickly Pear Seed Oil absorbs almost immediately leaves little or no residue so it can be used morning and night, either on its own or before your moisturizer for an extra dose of mega-nutrients. It is a facial oil for people who think they can’t use face oils, thanks to its ultra-lightweight nature.

• High in vitamin E

Vitamin E is a naturally-occurring antioxidant that acts as a free radical scavenger and offers fabulous anti-inflammatory benefits — and Prickly Pear Seed Oil boasts nearly one and half times the amount found in Argan Oil. Vitamin E is known to help heal wounds faster and aid in skin regeneration and is a marvelous ingredient to have in your anti-aging arsenal.

• Incredible skin brightening gifts

Thanks to the unique composition of the oil with its high levels of vitamin E and K and the natural antioxidants that stimulate collagen production, Prickly Pear Seed Oil helps brighten under-eye circles and improves the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin pigmentation.  This precious oil is unparalleled in its ability to brighten the appearance of skin – it is why we captured this benefit to skin when naming our “Illumino Youth Serum” (made with 100% Certified Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil).

• Tightens the appearance of pores

Essential fatty acids in Prickly Pear Seed Oil keep the collagen layer of your skin nourished, and this helps your pores tighten for a more flawless appearance.

•  A hero for just about any skin type!

Prickly Pear Seed Oil is ideal for mature skin due to its exceptional hydrating and illuminating ability, but because it also has a comedogenic rating of 0 out of 5 (meaning it should not clog pores), it is effective with combination skin or those who struggle with acne too. For those wanting to tackle the signs of aging before they happen, Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a must, particularly if toxin-free, natural skincare is important.

Directions

Use 2-4 drops in full concentration, daily at night and/or morning on the face, neck, and décolleté to moisturize, nourish and reduce lines and wrinkles. DIY formulations: Add 1-5% to lotions, creams, gels intended to nourish, moisturize and reduce lines and wrinkles.

SKIN: Apply a few drops at least once daily to combat aging, deeply hydrate skin, and boost your cell renewal for younger, firmer skin. It will soak in quickly, and won’t clog pores.

HAIR: Use as a warm oil treatment to rejuvenate dry, brittle, or color-treated hair. Apply to clean skin each day for intense moisturizing benefits, and to combat aging. Apply to cuts, scars, bug bites, and other skin blemishes for faster healing.

Traditional uses

• It promotes skin elasticity.
• It is used as a moisturizer that leaves the skin feeling soft.
• It is used to moisturize damaged and dry hair by restoring the health of cuticles and nails.
• It promotes regeneration of skin as well as its restructuring.
• It is helpful for damaged and mature skin.
• It lowers the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes, and scars.
• It assists in the restoration of skin’s firmness, elasticity, and moisture.
• It tightens the pores by making the smoother texture of the skin.
• It lowers sagging under eyes.
• It treats rosacea, balances skin’s natural production of oils, and soothes sunburn.
• It repairs scars and stretch marks.
• It helps to calm skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
• Massage 1-3 drops of Prickly pear seed oil to the under-eye circles, face, and neck to brighten the complexion and promote rejuvenation.
• It slows down aging activities and prevents the chances of premature wrinkles.

Precautions    

• One should consult the doctor for use.
• Use it in moderate amounts only.
• Do a patch test before use to know the reaction.
• Sensitive people might get allergic reactions to its use.

References

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