Everything you need to know about prickly pear oil.

The Prickly Pear, botanically known as Opuntia ficus-indica, is a succulent plant originating from Mexico and belonging to the Cactaceae family. It is now found in warm and sunny locations, particularly around the Mediterranean basin (North Africa, Spain, Italy...). It produces an edible fruit known as the Prickly Pear. Cold pressing its seeds yields an oil with multiple cosmetic virtues. Its comedogenicity index of 0 makes it compatible with all skin types.

Be careful not to confuse prickly pear oil obtained by cold pressing with its oily macerate, which is derived from the maceration of the seeds in sunflower oil. The macerate is indeed less expensive than the pure oil, but its benefits for the skin and hair are lesser.

Rich in sterols and vitamin E, prickly pear oil shields the epidermis from the harmful effects of free radicals and oxidative stress, thus preventing skin ageing. It also contains a significant proportion of omega-6 , which endows it with excellent moisturising properties.

Prickly pear oil exerts a firming, hydrating and sebum-regulating function. It can be used to care for one's skin, nails, or even hair.

Rich in moisturising and antioxidant agents, this vegetable oil has numerous virtues for maintaining one's skin, hair, and even nails and cuticles.

In facial care, it is an excellent ally for mature skin. Its antioxidant actives such as sterols and vitamin E assist cells to combat the proliferation of free radicals and oxidative stress, thereby slowing down the phenomenon of skin ageing. Rich in omega 6, it also prevents dehydration. It is also recommended to revitalise dull and tired complexions thanks to its composition of unsaturated fatty acids that restructure the skin to give it more radiance. Finally, its soothing virtues are of excellent help to reduce the marks of stretch marks and imperfections.

In relation to hair, prickly pear oil provides nutrition and shine. To enjoy its benefits, apply a few drops to the lengths and ends. If you tend to have oily hair, you can apply a few drops to your scalp as it has excellent sebum-regulating properties.

For nails, it is recommended to perform regular massages with prickly pear oil to strengthen them and make them less brittle.

Typology has developed several galenic formulations based onoil cold-pressed from organic prickly pear seeds derived from organic farming:

• ThePrickly Pear Seed Oil is suitable for all skin types, and particularly for mature, flaky and dehydrated skin. It is recommended for reducing wrinkles and fine lines, preventing skin sagging and firming the epidermis. Apply a few drops onto clean, dry skin and massage your face and neck in circular motions. As vegetable oils are sensitive to oxidation, keep this product away from heat and light in its amber bottle, tightly closed.

• The firming night mask with prickly pear oil is suitable for all skin types and is applied in a thin layer to the face once or twice a week, before bedtime. Enriched with shea butter to deeply nourish the skin, it regenerates and firms the epidermis for a smooth and even appearance upon waking. It also contains essential oil of immortelle, an active ingredient that stimulates collagen synthesis.

• The wrinkle and fine line eye cream is concentrated in coenzyme Q10 and prickly pear oil. It hydrates and prevents the appearance of the first wrinkles around the eye.

• Our botanical firming blend with nopal is a night serum that helps to tighten the skin thanks to the toning and regenerating actions of 7 botanical extracts, including theessential oil of immortelle.

• 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).