A Cactus Extract That Soothes Your Skin? We’ll Explain

You may not think of the desert as a destination for quenching skincare ingredients, but the arid landscape requires plants to be really, really good at retaining moisture and defending themselves against the sun. Case in point: Prickly Pear, which also goes by the names Barbary Fig, Nopal Fruit and Opuntia.

For those who are unacquainted, Prickly Pear is a red, bulbous fruit covered in protective bristles that grows on paddle cacti in the American southwest, Australia and the Mediterranean. The plant easily soaks up and retains water to become plump and juicy and the fruits are then harvested for food — and now skincare.

Prickly Pear is a hero ingredient in our new PURENESS Skincare Collection, which consists of a Gel Cleanser and Soothing Light Moisturizer, each made with minimal ingredients. This collection helps skin feel soothed and less sensitive. It’s also proven to be suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Soothing cactus fruit still sound crazy? We’ll explain.

Prickly Pear: A Superstar Hydrator and Anti-Aging Ingredient

You’ll find a few variations of Prickly Pear in skincare products. One is a hydrating and nutrient-dense extract that’s made from the pulp of the fruit and cactus itself, and another is an oil that’s derived from cold-pressing the seeds.

“The fleshy pulp of both the fruit and cacti is loaded with water and electrolytes. It makes sense when you think about it; cacti have to go for long periods of time without water so they’re nature’s experts on locking in hydration,” explains Sarah Akram, a celebrity esthetician based in Washington D.C.

Prickly Pear’s hydrating and antibacterial properties means the ingredient is also ideal for acne-prone skin. According to Akram, it helps calm the skin and restore balance to its protective barrier.

Akram says that Prickly Pear is also exceptionally useful as an anti-aging ingredient. “It’s loaded with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and boasts high amounts of vitamin E, which is ideal for soothing, replenishing and nourishing skin,” she says. “Also, the Prickly Pear seed oil contains Vitamin K and Linoleic Acid, two ingredients that help visibly brighten your complexion and reduces the look of hyper-pigmentation caused by UV damage.”

Try Prickly Pear Yourself

By now you probably understand why this soothing, nourishing ingredient is in PURENESS Skincare. So if you need a little skin calming in your life, we recommend using the full collection: PURENESS Gel Cleanser, which helps visibly reduce sensitivity, soothe the skin and gently remove excess oil, and PURENESS Soothing Light Moisturizer, which helps reduce the look of redness while seriously hydrating skin without weighing it down.

Who Benefits Most from Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear is a gentle ingredient that can be used by all skin types. Because of its soothing properties, it’s especially ideal for those with acne-prone, dry, sensitive, or inflamed skin. The ingredient is also an excellent age-defying ingredient and can help improve overall tone and texture in your complexion. It can be incorporated daily, and it mixes well with other ingredients.

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