The beauty benefits of prickly pear seed oil
Prickly pear is the most recent ingredient to shine in the beauty spotlight, praised for its notable skin benefits and boasting Nigella Lawson as an advocate. It’s packed full of vitamins K and E which soften the skin and when the skin is optimally hydrated, nourished and softened, wrinkles appear reduced and therefore skin looks and feels plumper - a total winning combination. Not only is prickly pear acknowledged for skin softening effects, it also contains the highest percentage of essential fatty acids than any other fruit extract (88%) which dry skin types can’t get enough of, as well as providing much needed hydration, this key ingredient helps to even out hyper-pigmentation and fade brown spots resulting in an even, bright skin tone.
Serums are the perfect way to increase hydration levels in the winter and are best placed underneath your normal moisturiser to ensure you are absorbing potent fatty acids directly into the skin. If you do have dry skin but suffer from occasional breakouts, prickly pear can also be used as a clarifying product. With antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this super star ingredient is perfect for those with combination skin; it won’t clog pores as it’s non-comedogenic and will soothe redness.
So where can you find prickly pear seed oil?
You might assume prickly pear seed oil is hard to come by but, this ingredient is quite common in combined and pure formulas. Take a look at our roundup of the best prickly pear seed oils on the market...
A new brand to launch, Relaxayvoo is the brainchild of Parisian friends Constance and Rebecca who's shared vision of simple, effective beauty and wellbeing tips brought about their first foray into serums with their Renewal Face Oil.
A gorgeous combination of 8 oils; rosehip oil, prickly pear seed oil, argan, sweet almond, jojoba and chamomile oil, this serum is rich but soaks into the skin without a greasy residue. It is a completely natural formula with no nasties and as it’s so potent, a little will go a long way.
Garden of Wisdom 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil, £20
A pure prickly pear seed oil, this GOW facial oil is for those looking for a multi-purpose product that they can slather on any problem areas. Dap onto cuticles and nails to keep them from tearing, lightly finger through hair to add shine and softness or apply directly to the skin for a boost of hydration. This oil is suitable for everyone, even oily skins and will help to soothe inflammation. (Psst! This is the product Nigella swears by and if it’s good enough for her...)
Inka Botanicals Prickly Pear.fect Face Serum, £82
Inspired by the ancient beauty rituals of Morocco, Inka brings together the traditional concepts and ingredients of Morocco and combines them with modern, effective skincare. The result? Beautiful, luxurious products that recreate the ancestral effects of tried and tested ingredients. The oil itself is a mix of prickly pear seed oil (native to Morocco) neroli and argan oil which blend together to give skin a gorgeous glow.
Another pure prickly pear seed oil but with a touch of added luxury, this formula from Kahina uses the highest grade of prickly pear seed oil to ensure the product achieves maximum results. With ethical ingredient sources and a rich texture, the oil is fantastic at reducing darkness under the eyes and encouraging even skin tone. If you suffer from hyper-pigmentation from scars or age spots, this will brighten and even out your skin.
