Prickly Pear Seed Oil
This unrefined oil has been cold pressed from the seeds. Also known as Barbery Fig, it has been used as a remedial beauty oil by Berber women for many centuries.
As far as beauty goes, we'll be the first to say that a well-honed skincare routine filled with powerhouse ingredients is the key to a glowing visage.
And that's why when the words 'prickly pear seed oil' floated across our radar, we couldn't help but be intrigued.
Fast gaining popularity for a vast and varied array of skin-boosting properties, we investigated the roots behind the trending ingredient's rise to find out exactly what it does.
Originating in Morocco, prickly pear seed oil, also known as 'barbary fig oil' comes from the seeds of the Optunia Ficus Indica cactus. A beloved beauty secret of Morocco's native Berber women for many centuries, it's highly regarded for its potent moisturising properties.
Most notably, it contains the highest amount of vitamin E of all the beauty oils on the market, boasting 150% more than argan oil.
WHAT ARE THE REPORTED BENEFITS OF PRICKLY PEAR OIL?
Thanks to its nutrient-packed profile, prickly pear seed oil offers a myriad of skin-related benefits. Its high concentration of essential fatty acids helps reduce redness and inflammation and may be particularly advantageous for those who suffer from rosacea.
Prickly pear seed oil also boasts the highest concentration of a type of antioxidant known as betalains, which is also found in beetroot and Goji berries. Due to its high betalain content, the oil is also a powerful tool in the anti-ageing arena, helping to shield the skin against wrinkle-inducing free radical damage while its amino acids work to promote collagen production.
Arguably one of its most interesting benefits comes from its vitamin K content, which research has shown to minimise the appearance of stubborn under-eye circles and hyperpigmentation.
In addition to its aforementioned benefits, the oil is widely lauded for its high vitamin E and fatty acid profile (lionleic and oleic acid), with the two in combination working to enable the restoration of elasticity while delivering an intense hit of hydration.
It's also reported as an ideal oil for those who experience frequent acne, as it's non-comedogenic and helps prevent sebum from hardening and encouraging acne to develop.
Prickly pear seed oil has fast-absorbing and ultra-hydrating properties, several serums on the market offering prickly pear oil as a core ingredient.
t's most commonly praised for its role in skincare.