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The beautiful almost alien-like prickly pear fruit crowning cactus paddles are like rare gems.<\/span><\/p>\n To the desert-bound wanderer, they are like a gift from God, filled with succulent and sweet hydrating juices.<\/span><\/p>\n Today, they are touted as a superfood, filled with potent vitamins.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, one serving of prickly pear fruit contains up to 24% of the daily recommended vitamin C intake alongside high doses of nutritional copper, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.<\/span><\/p>\n What\u2019s more, they are achieving savior-status among skincare gurus as well!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear, also known as fig opuntia, nopak, or barbary fig, is the most widespread and commercially grown cactus species globally.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a culinary treasure praised for its sweet, juicy, fuschia-colored flesh.<\/span><\/p>\n Though they have been eaten and used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years, they are now considered a superfood and even a super skincare product.<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear oil, a concentrated botanical oil derived from the seeds of this cactus, contains triple the vitamin E than argan oil among other allstar ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear oil, a concentrated botanical oil derived from the seeds of this cactus, contains triple the vitamin E than argan oil among other allstar ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n This gentle oil is suitable for all skin types and boasts a number of impressive benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Though research on prickly pear oil is still underway, preliminary studies show that this natural ingredient may be what\u2019s missing from your skincare regimen.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s everything you need to know!<\/span><\/p>\n Nearly every part of the prickly pear plant can be used.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s quite a versatile plant!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear is native to North Americas and has long been a valued ingredient in Mexican and Southwestern cuisines.<\/span><\/p>\n The cactus resin can be used to stiffen clothes.<\/span><\/p>\n The flowers are made into essential oils and sweet-smelling perfumes.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a natural dye that can be used in food products and natural fibers alike.<\/span><\/p>\n The seeds (as we\u2019ll find out more below) can be made into an oil and used on the skin for a number of benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n Not only that, it has many medicinal properties as well.<\/span><\/p>\n Historically, on top of being a food source, Native Americans used prickly pear juice to treat burns and whooping cough and manage asthma.<\/span><\/p>\n It was also applied to the skin to decrease inflammation from bug bites and other injuries.<\/span><\/p>\n After being introduced to China, it was used to dress abscesses.<\/span><\/p>\n In Mexican folk medicine, it\u2019s used to treat diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n The fruit, the stems, and even the flowers are used to treat high cholesterol, abdominal pain, high blood pressure, ulcers, fatigue, glaucoma, liver conditions, and even indigestion.<\/span><\/p>\n All of that, from one unsuspecting cactus!<\/span><\/p>\n From a culinary standpoint, both the green paddles and the \u201cpears\u201d or fruit that crowns each one can be used in the kitchen.<\/span><\/p>\n Once you slice into the fruit and extract the jelly-like innards (think aloe vera), they can be used to make jams and jellies, teas, candies, and can even be made into a syrup that adds a dash of vibrance and sweetness to your favorite cocktails or mocktails.<\/span><\/p>\n You might see it on the menu at a local smoothie shop or juicery or incorporated into savory dishes on the menus of Mexican and Central American restaurants.<\/span><\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t tried it yet, you\u2019re missing out!<\/span><\/p>\n True to the versatility and resiliency of this plant and the native people who realized all of its amazing benefits, the seeds are an amazing source of beautifying ingredients.<\/span><\/p>\n Though it may seem like a specialty essential oil, prickly pear seed oil is similar to a carrier oil or serum.<\/span><\/p>\n It naturally contains many of the most highly sought-after ingredients such as vitamin E, vitamin K, amino acids, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids.<\/span><\/p>\n Some recent studies have shown that applying prickly pear oil directly to the skin resulted in the following benefits:<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear seed oil contains high levels of antioxidants which may help to prevent skin damage caused by free radicals.<\/span><\/p>\n For this reason, skincare products with antioxidants are a staple of anti-aging routines!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear seed oil has also been shown to have antibacterial properties, suggesting that it may help to reduce breakouts by eliminating acne-causing bacteria.<\/span><\/p>\n I bet you didn\u2019t expect that from an oil-based product, did you?!<\/span><\/p>\n A study found that mixing prickly pear seed oil with vitamin A helped to decrease the molecular weight of vitamin A, thus increasing topical absorption.<\/span><\/p>\n Basically, the high-fat content of the prickly pear seed oil helps to deliver vitamin A and potentially other vitamins into the skin.<\/span><\/p>\n Studies have revealed that prickly pear oil contains a high content of linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in many fruits and vegetables.<\/span><\/p>\n Specifically, prickly pear seed oil contains high amounts of omega-6 and -9 acids.<\/span><\/p>\n Linoleic acid supports the skin barrier and contributes to a healthy, glowing complexion.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s friendly for all skin types and has exfoliating and anti-aging properties as well!<\/span><\/p>\n This all suggests that prickly pear seed oil can help the skin to remain hydrated and healthy by boosting its water-retaining abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to its impressive vitamin K content, prickly pear seed oil may be able to brighten up stubborn under-eye bags and restore your skin\u2019s natural glow!<\/span><\/p>\n Vitamin K carries pigment out of the skin and tightens blood vessels to stop traveling spider veins and more.<\/span><\/p>\n Thanks to amino acids, once absorbed by the skin, prickly pear seed oil may be able to stimulate your skin\u2019s natural collagen production.<\/span><\/p>\n Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and it provides strength and volume to the skin and connective tissues throughout the body.<\/span><\/p>\n As collagen levels decline with age, this is what causes the skin to sag and form fine lines and wrinkles.<\/span><\/p>\n So, whether you have mature skin that needs a little firming up or you\u2019re building a preventative anti-aging skincare regimen, this collagen-stimulating product is a winner!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear seed oil is wonderful and considered safe for all skin types.<\/span><\/p>\n Individuals with mature or dry skin may reap the greatest benefits of this versatile natural product due to its hydrating and collagen-stimulating abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n The oil is most often incorporated into serums and moisturizers.<\/span><\/p>\n Despite its prevalence as one of the most commonly grown cactus varieties, prickly pear seed oil does come with a hefty price tag.<\/span><\/p>\n Since the oil is derived solely from the seeds of the prickly pear cactus, extraction is time-consuming and requires an abundance of fruits.<\/span><\/p>\n Each fruit contains 150-300 seeds each on average yet they only contain about 5% oil.<\/span><\/p>\n Per <\/span>M\u016aN Skin Care<\/span><\/span><\/a> (a skincare line that specializes in prickly pear seed oil products) it takes an entire ton of prickly pear fruits to produce just 1 liter of oil.<\/span><\/p>\n Luckily, because it relies on so little water and nutrients to grow, prickly pear seed oil is a much more sustainable option than other vitamin E rich oils such as Argan oil.<\/span><\/p>\n In terms of side effects, some research has revealed that when ingested it can cause problems like indigestion and bloating.<\/span><\/p>\n When applied topically, however, prickly pear oil is generally considered safe on all skin types.<\/span><\/p>\n The only potential risk is if you have an allergy to the fruit.<\/span><\/p>\n If your skin tends to be on the sensitive side or if you are known to have allergies, consider doing a patch test before applying to the face or large area of the body.<\/span><\/p>\n Apply a small amount of the oil to your wrist and take note of any negative reactions such as redness, inflammation, or itching for 24 hours.<\/span><\/p>\n Clearly, prickly pear is not just great for skin.<\/span><\/p>\n Unfortunately, if you come across a fruit, you probably won\u2019t be able to use it in your skincare routine.<\/span><\/p>\n However, if you are tempted to pick one of these brightly colored fruits up during your next stop at the grocery store, you can still get great use out of it!<\/span><\/p>\n Lately, prickly pear has been touted as a superfood.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some additional health benefits that come from ingesting this sweet fruit:<\/span><\/p>\n Due to its high antioxidant content, consuming prickly pear fruit may be able to boost immunity!<\/span><\/p>\n According to a <\/span>2004 study<\/span><\/span><\/a>, consumption of prickly pear fruit may reduce oxidative damage and improve antioxidant status.<\/span><\/p>\n Though prickly pear fruit has been used for centuries to ease digestion, recent studies have come out to support that!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear fruit is high in dietary fiber and thus may help to eliminate constipation, bloating, and even ulcers.<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear fruit also contains many heart-healthy ingredients!<\/span><\/p>\n With up to 220mg of potassium per 100g of fruit, prickly pear fruit may help to reduce blood pressure and reduce stress on the cardiovascular system.<\/span><\/p>\n Its fiber may lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret – your body wants lots of fruits and veggies and prickly pear fruit is an absolute treat!<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear fruit has been used for centuries to decrease inflammation when applied topically and consumed.<\/span><\/p>\n A study conducted by <\/span>Seoul National University<\/span><\/span><\/a> confirmed this, showing that topical application decreased the swelling of bug bites.<\/span><\/p>\n When consumed, its antioxidant properties may help to decrease inflammation throughout the body by suppressing oxidative stress and free radical damage.<\/span><\/p>\n Prickly pear seed oil can be found in health food stores and among the products of some specialty natural skincare lines.<\/span><\/p>\n However, it has yet to permeate popular skincare lines mostly due to its price point.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re not ready to splurge on a new product or risk having another rarely-used product take up real estate in your medicine cabinet, that\u2019s okay!<\/span><\/p>\n The active ingredients in this natural oil can also be found in more readily available and affordable products too.<\/span><\/p>\n Here are some of our favorites:<\/span><\/p>\n Looking to stop wrinkles before they have the chance to form?<\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019ve got the right products for you!<\/span><\/p>\n This botanical-powered serum uses organic Japanese green tea, aloe, and a potent blend of peptides to stimulate collagen production and cell regeneration.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s a great product to maintain fresh, healthy, young skin 24\/7.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to the amino acid content of prickly pear seed oil, this powerful yet ultra-light serum contains a proprietary amino acid complex that is clinically proven to diminish fine lines and wrinkles by boosting cellular production of collagen.<\/span><\/p>\n Struggling with dull and dry skin?<\/span><\/p>\n Mimic prickly pear\u2019s hydrating abilities by choosing a product with linolenic acid!<\/span><\/p>\n This fan-favorite omega-6 filled moisturizer contains omega-6 EFA (Linoleic and Oleic Acid), Tocopherol (D-Alpha), and Essential Oils of Geranium and Lavender to soothe tired, dry skin and boost hydration by supporting the skin barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"Is](\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/9206\/6563\/files\/02-01_9.png\")
<\/p>\nHow was prickly pear used in the past?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nWhat are the benefits of prickly pear seed oil?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Prevent Skin Damage:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Reduce Breakouts:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Assists the Absorption of Other Vitamins:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Boosts Skin Hydration:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Fade under-eye bags:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Stimulate collagen production:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Who should use it?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
What are the downsides?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Other health benefits of prickly pear seed oil<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Boost immunity:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Aid in digestion:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Support heart health:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Reduce inflammation:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Substitutes to Prickly Pear Seed Oil<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nFor anti-aging:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
\nImage SkinCare Ormedic Balancing Antioxidant Serum<\/span><\/span><\/a>:<\/span>
\n<\/h3>\n\nGlymed Plus Amino Acid Treatment Serum with PC-10<\/span><\/span><\/a>:<\/span>
\n<\/h3>\nFor hydration:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
\nRhonda Allison Drop Of Essence<\/span><\/span><\/a>:<\/span>
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