PRICKLY PEAR SEED OIL
Much like navigating love during a pandemic – in this case, COVID – the notion of prickly pear seed oil may seem a tad perplexing. After all, it combines the prickly with the oily. But fret not, for this intriguing elixir holds a remarkable story.
Revered as ‘the miracle plant,’ the barbary fig, or prickly pear, has graced humanity with its medicinal wonders for centuries. Prickly pear seed oil is derived from the seeds of the Opuntia Ficus Indica cactus – picture the iconic cartoon cactus adorned with a regal crown of vibrant pink fruit. It stands as an essential and cherished beauty secret among Morocco’s Berber women.
The prickly pear plant boasts remarkable versatility in its applications: the Aztecs harnessed its healing powers for burns, the Chinese employed it to address abscesses, and Native Americans not only consumed its fruit but also crafted syrup for managing whooping cough and asthma. In the realm of traditional Mexican medicine, it played a role in treating diabetes and high cholesterol. Additionally, its utility extends beyond medicine, finding purpose in painting churches, homes, and delineating property boundaries.
Yet, it is the distinctive composition of prickly pear seed oil that unveils its most alluring facet – its transformative capabilities in the realm of beauty….
PRICKLY PEAR SEED OIL an impressive 150% more than Argan oil
Abundant in essential nutrients, prickly pear seed oil offers a wealth of benefits for your skin. Packed with protein, omega-6 fatty acids, and tocopherols (vitamin E), it nurtures and shields the skin. Additionally, it boasts notable quantities of vitamin K and zinc, which aid in the healing of dark spots and scars. This remarkable oil refines and tightens the skin, soothes redness and inflammation, and can even restore elasticity.
Notably, it stands out as the richest source of vitamin E among all beauty oils, surpassing even Argan oil by an impressive 150%. Its high linoleic acid content ensures deep moisturization, swift absorption, and effective penetration into the skin’s layers for nourishment and softening.
Enriched with amino acids that actively stimulate collagen production and an exceptionally high concentration of betalains – the antioxidants found in beetroot and Goji berries – prickly pear seed oil forms an indispensable part of any anti-aging regimen.
Furthermore, it boasts a high content of phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which brings antioxidants and exhibits antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of phytosterols and natural essential fatty acids promotes the generation of new collagen, while high linoleic and low oleic acid levels work in harmony to rejuvenate the skin’s elasticity, reduce inflammation, and combat redness.
Studies on vitamin K have demonstrated its ability to minimize the appearance of hyperpigmentation and under-eye circles. Importantly, this seed oil is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog your pores, preventing sebum from hardening and the onset of acne and blemishes.
Prickly pear seed oil’s exceptional capacity to retain moisture, even in arid conditions, makes it a top-tier hydrating agent.
As with any ingredient deeply ingrained in a community’s heritage for thousands of years, responsible sourcing is crucial. The extraction of tiny seeds from the Barbary fig is a labor-intensive, manual process. It can take up to 30 hours to extract sufficient seeds (over a ton) to produce just one liter of oil. This dedication to quality and sustainability is why this superfood ingredient is globally recognized as one of the most potent and highly prized substances.
