Prickly pear is a fruit that has many properties for the skin.
Properties and benefits of prickly pear oil on the skin
Rich in vitamin E, phytosterols and omega-6, which are natural antioxidants. They help fight free radicals, responsible for skin aging, and preserve the suppleness and tone of the skin.
Hydrates the skin and strengthens its ability to retain water thanks to the mucilage it contains.
Also soothes skin irritations and inflammations.
Has regenerating and nourishing properties, thanks to its essential fatty acid content.
Promotes wound healing, repair of damaged tissue and prevention of stretch marks.
Properties and benefits of prickly pear oil on hair
Prickly pear oil, obtained from the seeds or fruit, is a natural hair care product. According to many sources, it can make them more beautiful and healthier, thanks to its properties:
Activates blood circulation in the scalp, which prevents hair from falling out and promotes hair growth. Hair is stronger and more vigorous.
Restores volume to fine hair and makes it shine.
Repairs and moisturizes dry, weakened or damaged hair from chemical treatments, the sun or bad weather.
Defends hair against external factors, such as pollution, wind or cold.
Properties of prickly pear oil on eczema
Prickly pear oil is a carrier oil that can help relieve eczema, a skin condition that causes redness, itching, dry patches, and scabs.
Hydrates the skin deeply, thanks to its richness in mucilage, a substance that maintains water in skin tissues. It thus restores the skin's hydrolipidic film, which is disrupted by eczema, and prevents dehydration and flaking.
Calms irritation and inflammation, thanks to its omega-6 content, which are essential fatty acids with anti-inflammatory properties. It thus reduces redness, itching and burning sensations.
Renews and repairs the skin, thanks to its richness in vitamin E and sterols, which are natural antioxidants. They protect the skin from external aggressions, such as UV rays, pollution or allergens, and promote the healing of wounds caused by scratching.
The Fame of the Prickly Pear Fig and Its Flowers
For decades, Berber and Native American women have used the prickly pear fig tree for its cosmetic virtues.
Berber women applied the oil to heal and protect their skin from the burning desert wind. They considered prickly pear fig oil a formidable weapon against the ravages of time, restoring tone and firmness to the facial skin.
Today, the cosmetic industry is increasingly interested in producing oil from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica.
To obtain 1 liter of oil, 25 to 30 kg of seeds, extracted from 800 to 1000 kg of fruits, must be pressed. Prickly pear seed oil is exceptionally rich in vitamin E and sterols, offering remarkable protection against free radicals.
Indian women also used the mucilage from the pads and the juice from the prickly pear figs to prepare soaps and ointments, thus caring for their hands and protecting their faces from the sun’s aggressions. The juice of certain varieties was and still is used to prepare blushes and lipsticks.
