Despite being warned against picking them by our favorite Disney bear, prickly pears are actually pretty valuable anti-aging assets, as long as you don’t reach for them with an ungloved hand.
Also known as ‘opuntia’, prickly pear is a genus belonging to the cactus family. ‘Opuntia’ is derived from Opus, the Ancient Greek city where the plant biologist and philosopher Theophrastus noted there grew an edible, spiky plant. We have to say, we’re incredibly grateful to prickly pear’s discovery, because its vibrant fruits are not just eye-catching, but are also packed with nutrients. According to various sources, the oil that’s extracted from the prickly pear trumps all other natural oils when it comes to vitamin E content – it provides approximately 150% more than argan oil, which is pretty impressive. It also contains high levels of linoleic acid, which is said to help rejuvenate the skin by sinking deeply into its layers and promoting regeneration on a cellular level.
Reported to be the richest source of betalains (antioxidants that help to combat damage from free radicals), the sheer amount of these anti-aging fighters in the prickly pear outweighs even those found in blueberries. Abundant in essential fatty acids omega-6 and omega-9, prickly pear is also a good source of vitamin K which is both famed and praised for its ability to boost dermal elasticity and improve the complexion. Aside from vitamin K, this plant’s essential fatty acid content is also incredibly useful for anyone who’s suffering from skin conditions like rosacea or general redness and/or inflammation.
Despite its many benefits, there is one significant downside to prickly pear oil; its price. The extraction process used to harvest the oil is said to be a lengthy one and, with each seed providing only 5% oil, the price of this beauty oil is understandably on the higher side. It’s also worth noting that, despite being a natural product, there are people who may have sensitivity to prickly pear. If you have sensitive skin, it’s recommended to do a patch test prior to topical use just to be on the safe side.
Happy beautifying!