Prickly pear is derived from a cactus plant, also called nopal or opuntia. They’re native to the Americas and are used as food as well as an ingredient in cosmetic products. Prickly pear seed oil is rich in essential fatty acids, omega-6 and -9, as well as vitamin E, a potent antioxidant.
When the skin is left unprotected against free radicals, oxidative stress occurs, which can cause chronic inflammation and breakdown of skin cellular functions like the production of collagen. The oil offers antioxidant protection from free radicals and has anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties.