Prickly Pear Seed Oil Benefits

How Does Prickly Pear Benefit Skin?

“Prickly pear is extremely high in essential fatty acids, omega-6 and -9, and the natural antioxidant vitamin E,” . “It’s also rich in amino acids, which stimulate collagen production to promote faster cell turnover. And finally, it also contains vitamin K, which brightens under-eye dark circles and also promotes your skin’s elasticity.

What are the benefits of prickly pear seed oil for the skin?

“[Prickly pear seed oil] reduces the appearance of fine lines, helps prevent premature wrinkle formation, brightens dark under-eye circles, calms redness, helps relieve sunburn, and brightens and evens complexion. The vitamin E found in prickly pear seed oil is the highest of any plant oil on the market (3 times higher than argan oil). Prickly pear seed oil is also very high in linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid), which is proven to lighten sun-induced hyper-pigmentation, protect the skin barrier, lower water loss, and increase moisture.”

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, keep reading—there’s more.

“Other beneficial components,”  “include Vitamin K, which helps brighten under-eye circles, even out skin tone and reduce broken capillaries, and zinc, which helps reduce redness and inflammation of acne lesions and decrease oil production. It’s also high in phytosterols, especially beta-sitosterol, which provides antioxidants and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of phytosterols and natural essential fatty acids works well for anti-aging concerns and encourages new collagen production.”

Prickly Pear Seed Oil For Hair Benefits 

They are not calling this a superfood for nothing. This cactus oil is extremely high in essential fatty acids, Omega-6 and Omega-9 and with that natural antioxidant vitamin E which is excellent against fighting free radicals. Prickly pear has amino acids, which naturally stimulate collagen production to promote faster cell turnover. Collagen helps to not only keep skin firm and fresh, but also protects it from the sun, wind and environmental pollutants and that goes for your scalp and strands too. Amino acids also keep the skin, scalp and hair hydrated and promotes a healthy pH balance.With double the fatty acids and proteins of Argan oill, this oil will add high gloss and soften your strands. If there are deficiencies in one’s diet then the massive amounts of nutrients in this fruit are great supplements to help keep your body and hair healthy and in turn that may prevent hair loss. Several brands are harnessing the goodness of this plant by adding it to their conditioners and restorative oils. Here are a few below but always know that consuming these amazing fruits, plants, and nuts we mention is always the ideal way to benefit from them.

What are the components of prickly pear seed oil that make it so effective?  

All vegetable oils (yep, prickly pear is a vegetable and a fruit—the green pods are a veggie, the pears are a fruit) contain nonessential and essential fatty acids (EFAs). When the skin doesn’t get enough EFAs, its barrier is affected, and we’re at risk of dry, irritated, or dull complexions.

Of any beauty oil on the market, prickly pear contains the highest percentage (88%) of unsaturated fatty acids, which are essential to stimulating healthy cell production and turnover. It also contains the highest level of tocopherol, or vitamin E, which protects the skin and helps it retain moisture.

Fatty Acids

The constitution of prickly pear seed oil’s essential and non-essential fatty acids (EFAs) are worth delving into a bit further:

• 60.5% linoleic acid – An omega-6 EFA, linoleic acid at once nourishes and repairs. Linoleic acid strengthens our skin’s barrier, allowing it to better retain moisture. Sometimes referred to as vitamin F, this fatty acid fights inflammation while healing. It also has acne-reducing properties and helps soften the skin. It can even help heal cold sores and minor burns. Nails, cuticles, and hair also benefit from this wonder moisturizer.

• 20.6% oleic acid – Also found in avocados, almond oil, and olive oil, this fatty acid seals in moisture and helps other beneficial ingredients more easily penetrate the skin.

• 13.9% palmitic acid – Also found in palm tree oil, research has found that this acid has antioxidant and healing properties, and can even help with dermatitis and eczema. It’s found naturally in our skin, but quantities diminish as we age.

Tocopherols (Vitamin E)

Prickly pear seed oil contains almost 150% more vitamin E than argan oil. Wild, right? (Vitamin E is found in tocopherols, a class of eight different organic chemical compounds.) This naturally occurring antioxidant acts as a free radical scavenger, preventing them from causing damage that leads to signs of aging. It also has serious anti-inflammatory properties, helping wounds heal faster, and can even repair damage caused by UV rays and environmental pollution. It’s great for sunburns and redness as well.

Vitamin E is a superb moisturizer, hydrating skin while preventing further water loss. This can diminish the appearances of wrinkles and fine lines. Great anti-aging agents, tocopherols protect the skin cells that make collagen and elastin (a protein that helps skin keep its shape) and can fade acne scars.

Phytosterols

This component of prickly pear seed oil is similar to cholesterol, as it binds to water. This is great news for our skin—when applied topically, water-binding phystoserols help the skin retain moisture, making for a strong, healthy skin barrier. They also assist in collagen production, keeping our skin youthful and soft, and have even been found to reverse the effects of aging.

Polyphenols

These compounds are a real powerhouse: Not only do they boast antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties, but they also fight oxidative stress—an imbalance between free radical production and the body’s ability to defend against them. Like tocopherols, they are also free radical scavengers. Polyphenols prevent and treat sun damage, and can help with redness and irritation.

Okay, recap time. What can I expect from using prickly pear seed oil on my skin?

• Restored elasticity
• Brightened and more even-toned complexion
• Softer, nourished, and moisturized skin
• Tightened pores
• A reduction in the appearance of dark under-eye circles
• A reduction in the appearance of fine lines
• Prevention of premature wrinkle formation