Looking for an oil to combat your oily skin? You might be surprised to learn that prickly pear seed oil, a luxurious and trendy ingredient, can actually be your new best friend.

Contrary to popular belief, oily skin often lacks proper hydration. This can lead to your skin overproducing oil to compensate for the dryness. This is why prickly pear seed oil comes to the rescue with its exceptional hydrating properties. 

Here's why this unique oil deserves a spot in your skincare routine, even if you have oily skin.

An introduction to prickly pear oil 

Prickly pear seed oil is an eco-friendly option compared to many other oils. The cactus requires minimal water to survive, making it a sustainable choice for beauty enthusiasts with a conscience.

While prickly pear oil may seem like a newcomer in the Western world, regions like Mexico and Morocco have long revered its potent benefits. Often considered a "superfood" for its diverse health properties, prickly pear seed oil stands out as one of the most precious oils available.

Extracting prickly pear seed oil is a labor of love. Each fruit contains an average of 100-300 seeds, yet only yields around 5% oil. A staggering amount of seeds – roughly 30kg – is needed to produce just one liter of oil! The seeds are meticulously extracted by hand before cold-pressing to preserve their rich benefits, a process that takes significant time.

The Powerhouse Benefits of Prickly Pear Seed Oil

• Moisture Hero: Prickly pear seed oil boasts the highest natural Vitamin E content of any beauty oil, exceeding argan oil by a remarkable 150%. This translates to intense hydration and deep restoration, leaving your skin feeling and looking its best.

• Combating Aging: Prickly pear seed oil also holds the crown for the highest betalain content, potent antioxidants that outperform acai and goji berries! This translates to protection against skin aging and the formation of wrinkles. Essential amino acids promote collagen formation, your skin's natural "anti-aging protein," for improved elasticity. Furthermore, prickly pear seed oil helps reduce and prevent free radical damage, a major culprit behind premature aging signs like fine lines, dark spots, and dullness.

• Improved Skin Tone and Texture: The combined power of Vitamin E and K in prickly pear seed oil helps brighten and improve skin tone, addressing hyperpigmentation with consistent use. These nutrients also work wonders to soften and nourish the skin, revealing a more supple and radiant appearance, even minimizing those pesky under-eye circles.

• Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Inflammation often contributes to a range of skin concerns like rosacea, breakouts, and sensitivity. Prickly pear seed oil's richness in essential fatty acids (including omega-6 and 9) and polyphenols works to calm the skin and reduce redness.

• Promoting Skin Balance: This non-comedogenic oil is naturally antibacterial, meaning it won't clog pores. Linoleic acid, a key component of prickly pear seed oil, helps regulate sebum production to clear congestion and reduce breakouts, promoting balanced skin and natural oil production. By preventing sebum from hardening and blocking pores, prickly pear seed oil can help keep breakouts at bay.

Lightweight and Fast-Absorbing

Unlike heavier oils that can clog pores and leave a greasy residue, prickly pear seed oil is lightweight and absorbs quickly. This makes it a perfect choice for oily skin types, as it won't leave your face feeling shiny or greasy.

Non-Comedogenic Savior

The term "non-comedogenic" means the oil won't clog your pores. This is crucial for oily and acne-prone skin, as clogged pores can lead to breakouts. Prickly pear seed oil, being non-comedogenic, helps prevent breakouts and keeps your skin clear.

Who Can Benefit from Prickly Pear Seed Oil?

The good news? Prickly pear seed oil offers a wealth of advantages for all skin types, even sensitive skin.

• Dry or mature skin: Dry or mature skin thirsting for a plump, youthful appearance will especially benefit from prickly pear seed oil's intense hydrating and restorative properties.

• Oily and acne prone skin: Struggling with acne or breakouts? Prickly pear seed oil can help balance sebum production on oily skin and work to clear congested pores.

• Sensitive and redness prone skin: The oil's anti-inflammatory properties make it ideal for those experiencing rosacea or hyperpigmentation. 

Where to Find Prickly Pear Seed Oil

Prickly pear seed oil can be found in various skincare products, including Zen Botanics' Super Restore Face Oil.