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Opuntia Ficus Indica, commonly known as Prickly Pear or Barbary Fig Seed Oil is a relatively new oil in the beauty world – but be ready, cause this oil is going to take the beauty world by storm.
Prickly Pear Oil benefits the skin with it’s exceptional hydrating, and anti-aging properties.
A Moroccan oil, like Argan Oil, Prickly Pear contains the most Vitamin E of any beauty oil on the market (150 % more than Argan Oil), and the highest percentage of unsaturated fatty acids (88 %) – making it an incredibly powerful oil for skin health.
9 Prickly Pear Oil Benefits
1. The Skin Quickly Absorbs It
The essential fatty acids in Prickly Pear oil – namely it’s high (60 %) Linoleic Acid content makes it absorb wonderfully into our skin. It penetrates deeply without leaving behind a greasy residue.
2. It Restores Elasticity and Brightens the Complexion
High antioxidant activity stimulates cell renewal, leaving you with fresh, new skin. This oil reduces redness and hyper-pigmentation.
3. Nourishes, Moisturizes and Softens the Skin
This oil intensely hydrates the skin, it is suitable for all skin types but works particularly well on dry, mature skin.
A high Linoleic acid content soothes even the most dehydrated skin. It is deeply penetrating – you will not find another oil that leaves your skin softer.
Our Top Pick
Ecla Is an Excellent Brand of Prickly Pear Oil
4. Tightens Pores
Essential fatty acids in Prickly Pear Oil keep the collagen layer of your skin moist and healthy, this keeps your pores tight.
5. Brightens Dark Spots
This oil is unparalleled in its ability to brighten the skin and get rid of dark spots. Vitamin K helps lighten dark under-eye circles and minimize spider veins.
6. Slows Skin Aging
Prickly Pear contains the highest levels of Betalains of any known plant (more than Acai, Pomegranate, Blueberries, Gogi, and Beets). Betalains are super antioxidants with powerful anti-aging effects.
Learn How to Use Prickly Pear Seed Oil
7. Prevents Wrinkles
Prickly Pear Oil has an extensive Vitamin E content, 895mg/kg (150% more than Argan oil). Vitamin E is a free radical scavenger and increases cell renewal.
The high fatty acid content plumps the skin, reducing wrinkles and adding firmness, as well as intercepting free radical damage.
8. It Will Not Clog Your Pores
A high (60%) Linoleic Acid content and a low (20%) Oleic Acid content makes this oil non-comedogenic meaning it will not clog your pores and lead to breakouts.
9. Ideal for Sensitive Skin
This oil is non-irritating, deeply nourishing and soothing. It calms inflammation and hydrates the skin.
Fatty Acids on Prickly Pear Seed Oil
- Oleic Acid 20.6%
- Linoleic Acid 60.5%
- Stearic Acid 3.2%
- Palmitic Acid 13.9%
- Tocopherol 895 mg/kg (almost 150% more Tocopherol than Argan oil)
This is an Amazing Skin Oil!
All in all Prickly Pear Oil is an excellent addition to your skin care routine. It is a strong anti-aging oil, and it won’t clog your pores. I am excited to see this oil appearing in more products.
Prickly Pear Oil is expensive because it is very labor intensive, but it is well worth the cost. The bonus of buying it is that you are supporting women’s cooperatives who harvest and extract the oil – helping them have a better life.
Anti-Aging Serum Recipe
- 50 ml dark glass bottle
- 25 ml of prickly pear seed oil
- 25 ml jojoba oil
- 1 drop rose essential oil
- 2 drops lavender essential oil
Mix everything together and shake well. Use a few drops day and night as a lovely facial oil.
Learn How to Use Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Have you tried this luxurious oil yet?
Yours In Beauty,
Andrea
This is a lovely organic facial oil. Does wonders for dry and chaotic skin types.
I have been using it and I am really liking it!
Great article! Very informative! Can’t wait to try this oil in my new skincare regimen, and share your article with my followers!
Awesome, thanks Rhea!
I noticed that I can buy both Poppy Austin and Ecla via Amazon. Why do you recommend getting a different brand depending on where I live?
When I wrote this article, you could not get Poppy Austin in Canada, that is why I recommend the Ecla, it is high quality and you can get it on the Canadian Amazon. I wanted to give an option to both US readers as well as Canadian readers 🙂
Can the prickly pear capsule be broken down and used as if it was the actual plant..for instance, putting it on your skin instead of digesting it?
Yes Jessie, we are talking about topical application of the plant oil. 🙂
Amazing oil! I got it in the Netherlands >> https://www.bol.com/nl/p/100-natuurlijke-premium-cactusvijg-olie/9200000083436566/?suggestionType=typedsearch
Hello Andrea
We are an organic and natural cosmetics company based in the south of Morocco, our flagship product will be the organic and cold-pressed prickly pear seed oil. By doing research on the Net I have read your very good article on the benefits of prickly pear seed oil, I noticed that several companies that make this oil use your article, and I would like to know if we can use it on our flyers and advertising media.
cordially
Najib
As long as you give us credit and tell people where you got the information from, you can use it.
Thanks for the info! Could this serum be used under the eyes too?
Yes it can Rachel 🙂 Just be careful to not get it in the eyes, and avoid the eyelids, as the serum will creep into your eyes from there.
I picked up 5ml today for $15 at my local Farmers Market in Tucson, Arizona. It is organically grown in our Sonoran Desert. Vendor is Local Southwest, LLC. PO Box 1915, Tubac AZ 85645, http://www.local-southwest-online.com. Email: Rich@local-southwest-online.com. This vendor also sells olive oils and vinegars, plus some great organic skin care products. I just discovered them today! and this great new oil. Before you know it, I’ll be reversing my age by 40 years! hahaha / Thank you for your article. I like the listing of fatty acids.