Skip to main content
Tips & Advice

Why the Cactus is so in Right Now

Why the Cactus is so in Right Now
SkinStore Editors
Writer and expert7 years ago
View SkinStore Editors's profile

My love affair with the coconut is strong but I should probably address the ascendant new kid on the block - the cactus.

For a long time my experiences with cacti were sombrero wearing cartoons or a potted plant in the kitchen - you know, look but don't touch. It turns out some of the most active beauty products feature the opuntia: the species we're interested in. Often referred to as prickly pear or barbary fig seed in the culinary and cosmetic circles, this fruit is the only one which contains all 24 known betalains, in other words, super-charged antioxidants such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. These overhaul the skin and battle visible signs of ageing. Also, research has shown that drinking cactus water before cocktails can reduce hangover symptoms, such as dry mouth and nausea. Cheers to those potent betalains!

Cactus seed oil is jam-packed with high quantities of linoleic acid, a must-have ingredient for the production of healthy skin cells, vitamin E, which protects and retains moisture, vitamin K, which brightens under-eye dark circles and also promote your skin’s elasticity, and flavonoids, which are anti-inflammatory. Cactus oil is also ultra-light and sinks into the skin quickly.

In total, the desert fruit has 17 amino acids, fatty acids, omega 6 and 9, and antioxidants that can prevent damage from the sun and brighten your complexion. Prickly pear extract is like a topical multivitamin for your skin.

    If you enjoyed reading this and want to learn more about the ingredients in your cosmetics, visit our blog regularly. You can also check out our Beauty Glossary for more beauty terms you need to know about.

    SkinStore Editors
    Writer and expert
    View SkinStore Editors's profile
    Our team of beauty experts cover everything from skincare to makeup, picking out the most effective products from the best brands and latest trends. Stay up to date on everything beauty with the SkinStore blog, and find all your essentials in one place.
    skstr