Skin care aficionados know that the use of natural ingredients in products is now a common practice for many brands on the market. As the research surrounding skincare and beauty-based products has matured, consumers are on the hunt for products formulated with nature-based ingredients, like prickly pear seed oil.
In 2018, prickly pear seed oil became one of the standout natural products due to its impressive resume of benefits. It’s not a newcomer on the skincare stage – with uses dating back centuries it may just be one of the earliest skin care products out there – but in the last year alone prickly pear seed oil has shone brightly in the midst of other natural oils such as Argan, Avocado, and Aloe Vera.
Its benefits are vast and when paired with the knowledge of what to use it for, it’s a beauty oil you won’t want to miss out on. Read on to discover twelve amazing benefits of prickly pear seed oil.
1. Deeply Hydrating for All Skin Types
With the number of skincare products on the market, it can be difficult to know if the ingredients in a cream, serum, or oil will work for you. With prickly pear seed oil, you no longer have to wonder. Due to its high concentration of beneficial fatty acids, it will work on all skin types for a deep, hydrating experience.
2. Protects Against Wrinkles
Anti-aging is one of the most common skincare concerns with both men and women paying hundreds of dollars a month for procedures, creams, and other products. But sometimes the answer is the simplest: get back to the basics and rely on the power of vitamins and other natural ingredients to reduce the effects of aging and reverse the appearance of fine lines and dark spots.Prickly pear seed oil has one of the highest concentrations of vitamin E in any natural substance. It’s an easy and effective solution to preventing wrinkles and other signs of aging.
3. Guards Your Skin Against Environmental Factors
Every day our skin has to fight environmental stressors that take away from its natural radiance and health. Prickly pear seed oil contains high levels of antioxidants and amino acids which will help strengthen and protect the first and most delicate layer of your skin.
4. Free Radical Scavenger
Because most people don’t associate the term free radicals with skin care concerns, they don’t know to look for products that address this overlooked area of their skin.
Free radicals cause damage to the skin and are one of the biggest culprits of aging. Prickly pear seed oil naturally combats those free radicals through polyphenols, a component of the oil that works to reduce the number of free radical cells and damage they cause.
5. Addresses concerns of Redness, Hypersensitivity, and Dark Spots
If you’re not concerned about anti-aging at the moment, chances are you’ve experienced inflamed skin, dark spots or even scarring. As far as natural ingredients go, vitamin E is one of the best for evening skin tone and reducing dark spots.
Traditionally, Argan oil is known for its high concentration of vitamin E, but prickly pear seed oil boasts 150% more vitamin E than Argan oil.
6. Reduces Dehydration
While most people just treat the visible symptoms of skin concerns, go a step further and prevent those concerns from even showing up. Keep your skin beautifully hydrated during the winter months with the powerful components in prickly pear seed oil.
Phytosterols, a compound of prickly pear oil, work much like cholesterol and binds to the water in your skin which allows your skin to retain moisture. Well-hydrated skin will thank you with a number of other benefits including reduced redness, acne, and even aging.
7. Full of Essential Vitamins
We’ve already touched on this, but this unique plant oil boasts some of the highest percentages of both vitamin E and vitamin K on the skincare circuit.
It’s also high in vitamin A and C.
8. Non-Comedogenic Formula
Because prickly pear seed oil is used for every skin concern under the sun, it is naturally a non-comedogenic product - meaning it does not block your pores. Many skincare experts even suggest using this product every night on your skin to treat issues or maintain skin health.
Because prickly pear oil won’t clog your pores, it’s an easy oil to pair with your favorite cleanser, toner, and any other products in your skincare routine.
9. Anti-Viral and Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Because we all struggle with redness at some point in our lives, it’s always a good idea to have a product in your skincare arsenal that can effectively treat inflamed skin.
Massage a drop or two of prickly pear oil into your skin one or two times per day and note the difference in your skin after just a few uses.
10. Brightens Under Eye Circles
Instead of reaching for the concealer to cover up your dark circles, consider using a natural oil to erase under eye darkness for good. Often caused by lack of sleep and other stressors, dark circles can cause us to look haggard and run-down.
A drop or two of prickly pear seed oil will go a long way to naturally brighten up those dark circles and give your entire face a more youthful appearance.
11. Beneficial for Hair, Body, and Skin
Truly a multi-purpose oil, try using prickly pear seed oil on not just your facial skin but as a luxurious hair mask to repair split ends or on your cuticles to strengthen and brighten them.If you’re looking for a natural product that can treat your body’s symptoms from head to toe, prickly pear oil is for you.
12. Natural Acne and Eczema Treatment
And finally, if you’re struggling with acne - either adolescent or adult - or eczema, the high concentration of vitamins and antioxidants in prickly pear oil will help restore your skin back to its natural balance. Additionally, prickly pear oil will keep your skin supple and hydrated as you work to treat the underlying cause of your skin's conditions.
From a natural and effective acne treatment to a beautifully hydrating moisturizer, the benefits of prickly pear seed oil are vast. Use prickly pear seed oil to combat every skincare concern you may have.
No matter your skin care concerns, prickly pear oil is one of the most powerful natural substances you can use. Pick up a bottle of this oil for yourself and discover the difference just a few drops can make.