We constantly look for natural compounds that have been backed by science, which augment the skin barrier function as well as offer vital nutrients strong enough to have a positive impact on the skin. And there’s always a buzz about new beauty ingredients that take over the beauty world with promises to heal a host of skin woes. And this year, one of those is prickly pear seed oil, which like ceramides was named an element to look out for in 2022. Prickly pear seed oil is a powerful moisturizing and skin-softening oil obtained from a cactus plant.
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What Is Prickly Pear Seed Oil?
Prickly pear is also called cacti, nopal, and opuntia, which is widely distributed across America, Australia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean regions. The prickly pear is famed as “the miracle plant”, as it offers umpteen medicinal and therapeutic properties, that is used since times immemorial. The seeds of this fruit contain oil bestowed with several types of fatty acids, phenols, nutrients like vitamin E, phytosterols, and antioxidants. Prickly pear seed oil is largely used as a key ingredient in several skincare products and it’s suitable for all types of skin, including acne-prone and dry skin. Prickly pear oil is not an essential oil, but it’s commonly used as a carrier oil to dilute powerful essential oils, or it can be just smeared on its own to uplift skin health.
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Healing Properties Of Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Prickly pear seed oil is packed with protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins E and K, which work wonders in changing the skin, refining, and tightening pores, reducing redness and inflammation, brightening eyes, fading dark spots, and restoring skin elasticity. Laden with linoleic acid prickly seed oil aids in deep moisturizing by invading into the skin layers to nourish and smoothen the skin. This natural oil is non-comedogenic, so you can use it regularly without fear of clogging pores. Additionally, this sweet pink fruit confers several health-benefiting properties such as easing inflammation and regulating blood sugar.
Incredible Beauty Benefits Of Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Restores Skin: The richness of oleic acid in prickly pear oil fights free radical damage and prevents healthy skin cells from oxidizing. Thereby reducing the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation that develop over time. While the presence of vitamin K in this oil supports to lighten dark under-eye circles and reduce spider veins.
Good Hydration: Smear prickly pear seed oil right after showering to lock in moisture for supple and glowing skin.
Tightens Pores: Bestowed with a wealth of essential fatty acids, prickly pear oil maintains the collagen layer of skin moist and nourished, thus keeping pores tight.
Slows Down Pre-mature Aging: Prickly pear seed oil contains the highest amounts of betalains of any known plant. This bioactive compound is a powerful antioxidant with anti-aging effects, that get rid of wrinkles, and fine lines and slows down the signs of premature ageing. Also rich in vitamin E content, prickly pear seed oil averts wrinkles.
Combats Acne: The right proportion of linoleic acid (60%) and Oleic acid (20%) in prickly pear seed oil, make it non-comedogenic, unclogs pores, and averts acne breakouts. Being rich in amino acids, it stimulates the production of collagen, which promotes cell turnover to heal and renew new skin cells.
Suits For All Types Of Skin: Prickly pear seed oil is the perfect natural organic oil that suits well for all types of skin including dry, sensitive, acne-prone, or mature skin.
Hair Health: Potent anti-inflammatory qualities of the prickly pear seed oil is ideal for nourishing the scalp. Also, being rich in vitamin E it acts as a natural hair conditioner to fight frizzy hair and makes the mane look lustrous and healthy.
How To Use It?
When using undiluted prickly pear oil, take one to two drops of prickly pear seed oil into your hand and gently massage the oil into your skin.
When using it as a carrier oil, mix prickly pear seed oil with several drops of a selected essential oil. The amount of essential oil added will determine the strength of the oil mixture.
Side Effects
Prickly pear seed oil is considered safe when used topically for the skin, as it suits well for all types of skin. However, in the case of a person with any allergies, it may show some side effects.
Additional Skin Befitting Incentives
Fights Free Radical Damage
As an antioxidant-rich oil, prickly pear seed oil helps protect the skin from free radical damage caused by environmental pollutants, UV exposure, and oxidative stress. The oil contains high levels of vitamin E, which acts as a powerful antioxidant to neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from environmental damage.
Repairs Damaged Skin
Prickly pear seed oil has regenerative properties that can accelerate the skin's healing process. The vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and amino acids in the oil work together to repair damaged skin cells, promote skin regeneration, and improve overall skin texture and tone
Reduces Stretch Marks
The combination of omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E in prickly pear seed oil helps to improve skin elasticity and hydration, making it beneficial for preventing and reducing the appearance of stretch marks. Regular use can help support skin stretching and healing, especially during pregnancy or weight fluctuations
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna, Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile: M Sowmya Binu
With over 15 years of expertise and a Postgraduate degree in Nutrition, M Sowmya Binu is a seasoned professional in the field of nutrition. Specializing in tailoring personalized diet plans, she underscores the significance of a balanced approach to health, emphasizing the integration of medication with dietary intake for holistic wellness. Passionate about equipping individuals with knowledge to make informed decisions, Sowmya adeptly develops insightful content encompassing a wide array of topics including food, nutrition, supplements, and overall health.
References:
Prickly Pear Seed Oil Extraction, Chemical Characterization and Potential Health Benefits
Ghanya Al-Naqeb, Luca Fiori, Marco Ciolli, Eugenio Aprea
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8401162/
https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2621.1982.tb12946.x
