PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL – A LUXURIOUS TREAT FOR SKIN AND HAIR

IN ESSENCE…

• The prickly pear cactus grows in arid to semi-arid zones and can withstand cold temperatures up to -10°C. This means that the plant is drought-tolerant as well as cold-tolerant.
• The prickly pear has been around for ages; it appears as a cultural symbol from civilizations that existed hundreds of years ago, such as the Aztecs (ist is depicted on the court of arms of Mexico). Over the last century, through human migration, this gorgeous-looking fruit has spread rapidly around the world.
• In the Mediterranean region where the prickly pear grows in abundance, the Berber women of Morocco have been benefitting from the beloved fruit’s seed oil when it comes to protecting their skin from the harsh sun and strong winds.
• The fruits’ high content of antioxidants and anti-inflammation properties makes Prickly Pear Carrier Oil perfect for topical applications that help moisturize and improve the quality of skin and hair.

HISTORY OF PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL

Prickly pear, or Opuntia ficus indica, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae. The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus, where, according to Theophrastus, an edible plant grew and could be propagated by rooting its leaves. The prickly pear is native to the Americas and the Mediterranean region (Morocco). Thanks to human migration and trade activities, the prickly pear has been distributed throughout the world. They grow on every continent, especially in arid and drought-prone climates in countries such as Mexico, Caribbean Islands, and the western and south central United States, along with the Bahamas. The Opuntia species that grows in southern and western Canada are known to be cold-tolerant. For example, some of the species even grow in central British Colombia along the Beatton River which is an area that will experience frost during winters.

In many countries, prickly pears are eaten for their high water content and body-cooling abilities, especially during hot summers. For example, in Mexico and the Mediterranean countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, people use the prickly pear to prepare dishes such as appetizers, soups, salads, desserts, beverages, candy and jelly during summer. The prickly pear also grows widely on the islands of Malta. The Maltese enjoy it as a typical summer fruit as well as a popular liqueur. The pickled prickly pear is also considered a delicacy in many of these countries. The fruit can range from green to red to yellow to orange.

Prickly pear oil has been in use for many centuries now. Only recently, research has begun to show how prickly pear oil is beneficial for human skin. Early findings suggest that prickly pear oil can boost the health of the skin and help to clear and control acne. The prickly pear was also said to be used by the desert dwellers of Morocco to soothe parched skin caused by dry and hot weather, and unforgiving winds. Today, the nutrient-rich oil can be pressed and extracted from the seeds and used as a carrier oil. The prickly pear is rapidly gaining popularity in cosmetics and skin care applications as a vital ingredient.

The many Prickly Pear Oil varieties that New Directions Aromatics carries are:

• Prickly Pear Carrier Oil
• Prickly Pear Organic Carrier Oil
• Prickly Pear Carrier Oil – Cosmetic Grade – Refined

Although their oil extraction methods and compositions may slightly vary, their uses are largely similar.

Prickly pear oil has a faint but slightly spicy aroma that is warm and fragrant. The oil is naturally rich in vitamin E and antioxidants. This gives the prickly pear and its oil soothing properties when applied topically to the skin. The nutrients in the oil work on the appearance of the fine lines and wrinkles that come with mature skin along with dark spots. Even though people with all skin types can take advantage of prickly pear oil, it is said to be more beneficial to those with oily, dull, and maturing skin. When applied, this oil is readily absorbed by the skin, leaving it silky and hydrated without feeing greasy.

BENEFITS AND COMPOSITION OF PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL

Prickly Pear Carrier Oil comes with a host of benefits for the skin and hair. It often carries a faint aroma with a spicy touch that gives you a warm feeling. The oil is known to be a favorite in many cultures for its skin-repairing and protective properties. Prickly Pear Carrier Oil is obtained by the cold-pressing method of extraction where its seeds are pressed until the oil is released from them. This carrier oil is high in Omega 6 fatty acids which work on dry skin, and help to hydrate and restore moisture. It works on the skin by helping to increase its ability to absorb oils and serum. The fatty acids contained in the oil help to replenish collagen which is an important part of maintaining skin’s elasticity.

The vitamins E and K in the oil work well on skin that looks tired and dull. These nutrients work on the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, improving the quality of the skin and making it smooth and fresh, without being sticky or greasy. The polyphenols which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help alleviate damage from the harsh sun. This is why it was so historically beneficial for the Berber women of Morocco. For redness and acne, applying the oil on the skin not only helps reduce inflammation but also helps control acne-causing bacteria.

The prickly pear carrier oil’s nourishing and conditioning properties can be utilized by those with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. The naturally derived nutrients in the oil such as polysaccharides work on damaged, dry, and irritated skin. The main constituents of the prickly pear carrier oil are linoleic acid, oleic acid, naturally occurring carotenoids, Omega-6 fatty acids, vitamin C, and flavonoids.

Linoleic acids are known to:

• Help retain moisture in the skin
• Benefit maturing skin
• Improve the appearance of damaged skin
• Help promote cell regeneration

Oleic acids are known to:

• Help calm and soothe skin
• Help balance and repair skin damage
• Possess anti-inflammatory properties
• Possess antioxidant properties

Carotenoids are known to:

• Possess anti-inflammatory properties
• Possess antioxidant properties
• Help protect skin from damage
• Help promote eye health

Omega-6 are known to:

• Help promote health and growth
• Hydrate skin
• Help build collagen
• Help improve memory

Vitamin C is known to:

• Help build collagen
• Help build immunity
• Help open airways
• Help with digestion

Flavonoids are known to:

• Provide defense against free radicals
• Possess antioxidant properties
• Possess anti-inflammatory properties

Prickly Pear Carrier Oil also has many uses for the hair. The anti-inflammatory properties in this carrier oil act as a scalp soother and act as a natural conditioner. This carrier oil is also suitable for oily hair as the antioxidants in the oil stimulate collagen and keep the scalp healthy. Vitamin E in the oil helps retain moisture in the scalp and keeps the hair smooth and hydrated even in dry and hot weather. The oleic acid present in the oil helps improve the health of the hair and keeps it soft.

CULTIVATING PRICKLY PEAR AND EXTRACTING OIL

The prickly pear is a common cactus that grows all over the world in arid and semi-arid regions, and in some cold regions as well. The prickly pear cactus thrives in regions with mild winters and dry, hot summers, with low humidity and receives the occasional rain. The prickly pear has many different names and the juicy little fruit has been popular among the folk who live in these regions for generations. Its historic popularity is largely due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The spineless prickly pear fruits sprout on the cacti that grow abundantly in these regions. The fruits are harvested for the seeds that are crushed to extract the oil. The oil packs a bunch of nutrients and has numerous uses in the cosmetic industry.

Taking care of a prickly pear cactus is fairly easy, whether you are a desert dweller, or live in the city. First and foremost, the plant needs to sit in full sun. The more sun it gets, the bigger the plant, leading to more fruits. The soil needs to be dry, sandy, or gravelly mixed to simulate arid soil. When it comes to pH levels, the prickly pear is not very picky and can thrive in a neutral-to acidic mixture with a pH level of 6.0-7.5. The prickly pear cactus does not need regular watering. Since it is extremely drought-tolerant, you can even water it once every 3 to 4 weeks. It can also survive temperatures as cold as -10°C, making it cold-tolerant when compared to other cactus species that require warmer climates.

Prickly pear oil production: Although on an average, the prickly pear fruits contain about 150-300 seeds, the seeds themselves are tiny and only contain about 5% oil. It takes a whopping 1-ton seed, which is millions of seeds, of prickly pear fruits to produce just 1 liter (4 cups) of oil.

Prickly pear oil is extracted from the seeds of the fruit by cold-pressing. The cold-pressing process involves crushing and grinding the seeds that carry the precious oil using stainless steel pressing equipment. The temperature is not allowed to exceed 48.9°C (120°F) even when some heat is created. This allows the oil to retain the antioxidants and other nutrients from the fruit. All versions of Prickly Pear Carrier Oil from New Directions Aromatics are extracted through cold-pressing:

• Prickly Pear Carrier Oil: The unrefined, cold-pressed prickly pear oil is a carrier oil that has many benefits for the skin and hair when blended with other carrier oils. It readily gets absorbed by the skin moisturizing it luxuriously and keeping it soft and supple. This nearly-odorless oil is a slightly viscous, pale-yellow to yellow liquid. Some of the common applications of this oil include personal-care products and cosmetics, especially skincare for mature complexions.
• Prickly Pear Organic Carrier Oil: This unrefined, cold-pressed Prickly Pear Carrier Oil is organic. This organic oil is QAI certified. QAI (Quality Assurance International) also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards. This oil is slightly viscous in consistency, pale-yellow to yellow with a greenish hue, and has a slightly nutty scent. This oil promotes elasticity and provides the skin a smoother, refined texture. When used as a night serum, it reduces the appearance of dark spots and dark circles, so the skin appears visibly younger. It’s nutrient rich composition promotes shiny, moisturized, and rejuvenated hair, skin, and nails.
• Prickly Pear Carrier Oil – Cosmetic Grade – Refined: This carrier oil is obtained from the seeds by cold-pressing, refining, and standardizing with vegetable oils to enhance their oxidation stability. The refining and standardization process helps remove undesirable aroma and color and helps to enhance the shelf life of the oil. This renders the product suitable for formulating products in the cosmetic industry without interference from odor and color. This carrier oil is pale-yellow to golden-yellow liquid. Ideal for skincare and personal care products, this Prickly Pear Carrier Oil is commonly used in facial products targeting mature or youthful skin. It is also popular in soaps, shampoos, hair masks, and massage products.

COMMON USES OF PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL

The prickly pear carrier oil brings many benefits to the skin and hair. Even though the carrier oil has nearly no aroma, it can still be used in aromatherapy as you will still benefit from its positive effects on the skin and hair. You can blend this carrier oil with many others to enjoy the scent of your favorite essential oils along with smooth, moisturized skin and a healthy scalp courtesy of the prickly pear oil. Prickly Pear Carrier Oil can be used in hair and facial serums, body butter, lotions, moisturizers, hair conditioners, soaps, makeup, as well as bath and shower products.

For topical applications, you can dilute and combine one or more carrier oils with the Prickly Pear Carrier Oil. You can use the Prickly Pear Carrier Oil alone as a natural moisturizer or to nourish and enrich your skin you can also make your own skin serum by mixing it with Rosehip Carrier Oil. The same blend can be used for dark circles under your eyes. This blend will help to rejuvenate the skin after a long tiring day. Furthermore, you can make your own concoction of your favorite scents and oils to use for fine lines and wrinkles. For example, into a 50 ml bottle, fill half of it with Prickly Pear Carrier Oil, half with Jojoba oil, 1 drop of Geranium Essential Oil, and 2 drops of Lavender Essential Oil. Once every day, apply a few drops of this mixture onto your skin and let it absorb for younger-looking skin.

Prickly Pear Carrier Oil has already been shown to have excellent benefits for hair through its ability to increase the overall quality of the scalp and hair. This includes adding moisture, adding volume, and making hair soft because of the carrier oil’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can make hair masks, rinses, and shampoos with Prickly Pear Carrier Oil as well. Give your hair the deep conditioning care it needs; massage some Prickly Pear Carrier Oil onto the scalp and hair, leave it overnight, and then wash it off the following morning. You can also pair Prickly Pear Carrier Oil with Coconut Oil or Castor Oil to enjoy additional benefits for those struggling with thinning and damaged hair.

GUIDE TO PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR PRICKLY PEAR CARRIER OIL

As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, carrier oils are for external use only. Prickly Pear Carrier Oil should not be ingested and should not be stored within the reach of children, in case of accidental ingestion. As with all other oils, a patch test should be conducted on the inner arm or another generally insensitive area of skin, using a dime-size amount of Prickly Pear Carrier Oil to check for sensitivities. An absence of an allergic response within 48 hours indicates that the oil is safe to use.

The topical application of Prickly Pear Carrier Oil is not known to have side effects. In the rare chance of an allergic reaction, discontinue the use of the product and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use.

Shelf Life: Users can expect a shelf life of up to 2 years with proper storage conditions. Please refer to the Certificate of Analysis for the current Best-Before date.

Storage: It is recommended that cold-pressed carrier oils be kept in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness. Refrigerate before opening. The oil is slow to go rancid when it is stored at a temperature below 18°C and away from light.