Here's What You Need to Know About Prickly Pear for Radiant Skin

The benefits of Valentia Prickly Pear Oil reach far beyond the impressive natural components that make up this invigorating oil. The power is in the details, so let’s take a deeper look.

Prickly pear oil is one of the latest natural sources of skin care to take the world by storm!

See what the hype behind prickly pear oil actually is, and learn about ways you can add this nature’s bounty to your daily routine.

Packed with rejuvenating properties, natural AHAs and oleic acid, this luminous oil creates glowing skin in a few short weeks!

Here’s what the research is saying:

A 2002 study concluded that prickly pear seed oil is a rich source of fatty acids (including omega-9 and omega-6), fat-soluble vitamins E and K, and phytosterols.

Phytosterols, abundant in prickly pears, encourage new collagen production according to a German study. This revolutionary discovery indicates that prickly pear oil can improve the skin’s vitality over time, despite the natural aging process.

Prickly pear oil is rich in amino acids, which stimulate collagen production to help refine, brighten, and tone skin.

1) Prickly pear oil is particularly renowned for its skin brightening properties. Linoleic acid nourishes the skin and eliminates dullness, darkness and discoloration, while the high levels of vitamin E have exceptional transformative properties for mature skin.

In 2014, scientists found that the prickly pear seed contains 403 mg/kg of vitamin E, mostly in the form of γ-tocopherol (another form of vitamin E).

2) Vitamin E and omega-6 also promote elasticity and protect the skin from damaging free radicals and UV light.

3) Leave dark circles in the dust. Dark circles under the eyes can be due to lack of sleep, dehydration, and oxidative stress. Vitamin K keeps your skin glowing and bright, especially in the delicate areas beneath your eyes.

4) Valentia Prickly Pear Oil has an astonishingly high percentage (over 80%) of unsaturated fatty acids with a linoleic acid content of 62%. This is what allows the oil to quickly absorb into your skin, leaving behind softer skin with no greasy residue.

5) Can strengthen the walls of your blood vessels, reducing stretch marks, under-eye circles, and spider veins to reinvigorate your skin so that you wake up looking and feeling inspired and ready for the day, every day.

6) By stimulating healthy cell regeneration and promoting a highly functional skin barrier, the omega-6 in prickly pear oil gives your skin a plump, smooth texture and a vibrant, healthy appearance.

7) The impressive content of linoleic acid in prickly pear oil can hydrate even the most dehydrated skin. Though appropriate for all skin types, this miracle oil works especially well for mature skin. Essential fatty acids promote collagen formation, which in turn helps to moisturize skin.

8) Promotes healthy growth and softens cuticles while easing the drying, irritating effects of chemical-laden nail polish and nail polish remover.

Whether it’s fine lines, dull spots, stretch marks, or just dehydrated, environmentally-damaged skin, this wonder oil will likely leave you in awe.

References:

1. Ramadan, M.F., & Morsel, J.T. (2003). Oil cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L.). Food Chemistry 82(3), 339-345.

2. Moβhammer, M.R., Stintzing, F.C., & Carle, R. (2006). Cactus Pear Fruits (Opuntia spp.): A review of processing technologies and current uses. Journal of the Professional Association for Cactus Development, 8, 1-25.

3. Ghazi, Z., Ramdani, M., Fauconnier, M.L., El Mahi, B., & Cheikh, R. (2013). Fatty acids sterols and vitamin E composition of seed oil of Opuntia Ficus Indica and Opuntia Dillenii from Morocco. Journal of Materials and Environmental Science, 4(6), 967-972.

4. Angelo, G., Oregon State University. (2012). Essential fatty acids & skin health. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/essential-fatty-acids

5. Letawe, C., Boone, M., & Pierard, G.E. (1998). Digital image analysis of the effect of topically applied linoleic acid on acne microcomedones. Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 23(2): 56-8.

6. Michels, A.J., Oregon State University. (2011). Skin health. Retrieved from http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health

7. Ehrlich, S.D., University of Maryland Medical Center. (2013). Vitamin K. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement/vitamin-k

8. V. Lobo, Patil, A., Phatak, A., & Chandra, N. (2010). Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacognosy Review, 4(8): 118–126.

9. Allen, J. (2001). Ultraviolet radiation: How it affects life on Earth: NASA Earth Observatory. Retrieved from https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/UVB/