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Detailed benefits of Prickly Pear Oil see below:

INCI name: Opuntia Ficus Indica

Extraction method: Cold Pressed

Origin: Morocco

Standards: Virgin, Vegan, GMO free, Unrefined

Comedogenic level: 0

Absorbent Rate: 2 (Fast)

Best for Skin Types: All skin types

Best for Skin Conditions: Mature skin, Acne, Hyper-pigmentation

Acidic Profile:

Omega 7: Palmitic acid:

Concentration up to 14%

In general, Palmitic acid works to improve your skins texture due to its Emollient (in other words moisturising) benefits. Helping to soften and plump the skin. It also aids your skin by reducing water loss from the skin barrier (Common phrase for this issue is Trans-Epidermal-Water-Loss).

Palmitic acid is known to Improve Dry and Flaky Skin and shown to work against skin conditions like Psoriasis and Eczema.

Omega 6: Linoleic acid:

Concentration up to 65%

A Polyunsaturated fatty acid (better known as Omega 6 or vitamin F). Our bodies can’t produce Linoleic acid, so we must get it primarily through food consumption. With its light texture and primarily concentrating on the Epidermis, it works to improve the skin’s Lipid barrier. This helps to lock in moisture while balancing Sebum levels.

Linoleic acid is known to be good for most skin types, but its primary benefit is for oily skin due to its ability to balance Sebum levels usually caused by too high a concentration of Oleic acid.

Omega 9: Oleic acid:

Concentration up to 30%

A Monosaturated fatty acid (better known as Omega 9). Loved for its deep skin absorption into the Dermis, due to be a heavier oil it is incredibly powerful for oil-based Hydration, making the oil it is concentrated in have the benefits to improve dry and mature skin tones from softening to plumping the skin while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

While it’s always good to have a combination of Oleic and Linoleic acid-based oils the usual rule is high Linoleic oils for Oily skin and high Oleic acid for dry skin.

Betalains:

An antioxidant only found in plants grown in hot climates, essentially the hotter the climate the higher the concentration of Betalains, as Morocco is extremely hot that makes Prickly pear one of the few highly concentrate sources of Betalains in the world with not only the highest concentration, but all 24 variations contained within the oil!

As you know many minerals and compounds act as Antioxidants but honestly the more variety to have the more benefits there will be! Antioxidants (especially Betalains) act as armour for your skin, cleaning your skin of free radicals and UV protection. Overall, this prevents premature ageing which is quite common in sunny countries.

Phosphorus:

While Phosphorus has its hands in a lot of pies in your bodily functions from Hormone balance, Brain function, Energy and Bone Health. The two most impressive for your skin is its ability to improve the absorption of B vitamins within the skin and improve skin cell Rejuvenation and maintenance. 

Provitamin A:

Also known as Beta Carotene, used and converted by the body to produce vitamin A. A vitamin with a reputation for maintaining and revitalising your skin. Usually added to skin creams for its improved skin cell turnover in the upper skin layers, essentially rejuvenating your skin giving you a younger fresh look. Also containing the benefits of being an Antioxidant while evening skin tone and improving acne prone skin.

Vitamin E: (Gamma-Tocopherol)

Vitamin E has 8 different types split into two classes of varying chemical differences. Tocopherols and Tocotrienols, both having variations of Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta. They all have certain similar benefits of improving and protecting both your Epidermal and Dermal layers cellular membranes, while all being Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory based.

They are different from each other. With Alpha-Tocopherol being the most potent of Antioxidants within Tocopherols, Gamma-Tocopherols being shown to inhibit the formation of Cytokines! Tocotrienols are naturally more permeable (absorbing) through cellular membranes improving absorption and nourishment within your skin!

There are very few plants oils that contain Tocotrienols as the most interesting thing I saved until last… They’ve been shown to have much higher antioxidant activity with some tests showing levels almost 40 times higher!

Vitamin K:

A fat-soluble vitamin primarily found in vegetables and dairy products. Known for being a potent Antioxidant and being an essential vitamin in skin cell and Collagen Synthesis. Necessary for the renewal of healthy skin replacing damaged skin layers. Its anti-coagulant properties make it a perfect choice for dark eyes due to it helping strengthen blood vessels getting to the root of the cause of dark circles under the eyes.