prickly pear: A Fruit and a Plant with a Big Punch of Health and Skin Benefits

Published: May 15, 2023

It’s amazing to see what the right skin care routine can do if you are able to get the right level of hydration and protection! If you’ve ever struggled with skin issues, you know how it feels when your skin is looking its best (hint: good). Having the right products on hand that work well for your skin makes all the difference in achieving and maintaining optimal skin health, while preventing and correcting signs of aging, such as expression lines and wrinkles.

As the skin care world continues to grow and evolve, there are always new products hitting the shelves that experts recommend. One of the latest and greatest skin care ingredients is prickly pear extract that can be obtained either from the fruit or from its cladodes, in simple words: its leaves!

Prickly pear will surprise you once you hear of all the benefits that this plant has to offer, and even more so when it is farmed organically. Read more to find out more about this powerful skincare ingredient and how it can help you achieve the perfect level of skin hydration and glow.

"One amazing component in prickly pear extract is a sugar called arabinose, which helps boost KGF (keratinocyte growth factor) in the skin. This action effectively repairs and rebuilds the skin's barrier, keeping it healthy and hydrated."

Christine Lee, Board Certified Esthetician and [ comfort zone ] Master Educator

What is Prickly Pear?

Prickly pear is a fruit that grows from a species of cactus that is sometimes referred to as the Barbary Fig Cactus or Opuntia Ficus-indica. Since ancient times, they have been known for their ability to adapt to harsh climates and are grown all around the world to utilize their versatile, edible fruit.

This plant is one of the most widespread species of cactus, found in Mediterranean climates, North America, the West and Southwest of the United States and Mexico and in Europe, mostly in the South and on Italy’s sunny coasts.

A symbol of one specific region in Southern Italy, Salento, the prickly pear has been known since ancient times for its ability to adapt to extreme situations where water is scarce, which is precisely why it was cultivated close to low walls, on steep slopes or on inaccessible rural escarpments.

Prickly pear-derived were commonly used as part of a healthy diet. Its extracts are now very trendy elements incorporated into skin care products as they benefit the skin in a variety of ways. Prickly Pear leaves extract, for example, is an active ingredient with an intensive moisturizing action, contributing to reinforce skin adaptability in case of very dry climates as well as when stressed by temperature fluctuations such as heating and air conditioning.

Prickly Pear for Glowing, Youthful Skin

It is quite clear that the world of skin care is constantly growing and evolving. It seems like you can’t go a day without seeing a new product or essential ingredient hit the market. Prickly pear is gaining more and more popularity, and for good reason. This powerful ingredient may be exactly what you need to achieve and maintain well-hydrated, glowing and youthful skin. Find the best skincare products, and dietary supplements to perfect your routine and reach your skin's highest potential.

Prickly Pear and Skin Health

Prickly pear is arguably one of the most ideal and versatile skincare ingredients due to its special ability to adapt to the environment and to maintain optimal use of available water, even under particularly challenging environmental conditions. It doesn’t matter who you are–prickly pear can benefit your skin. It works on any skin type and a cream or a serum with this powerful botanical extract can be applied morning or night offering versatility, and what’s more important: results.

Inspired by Prickly Pear special ability to adapt and to maintain optimal use of available, scarce water even under particularly challenging environmental conditions, our R&D lab team, directed by Eve Merinville, has chosen it for the complete relaunch of our best-selling hydrating collection. Their innovative studies proved that it contributes to reinforce the skin’s barrier, which is extremely important to contrast dehydration by retaining water more efficiently. This is extremely beneficial for protecting and preventing the skin from sensitivity, discomfort, and aging.

How does it work? Prickly Pear extract, rich in sugars, including arabinose, that can capture and bind water, activates our skin’s keratinocyte growth factor, responsible for skin barrier functionality. Keratinocyte Growth Factor was taken as an indicator of barrier health as it regulates the skin’s tissue’s capacity for renewal and repair. This plays a key role in preserving hydration and providing protection from the environment. The fortifying power of Prickly Pear was instrumentally proved by independent laboratories showing its impact on the skin grows stronger and stronger each day.

"It is nature that teaches skin how to regenerate: we owe it the power of our formulas. Prickly pear extract in particular is extremely effective to ensure deep and log-lasting hydration. Our studies prove it multiplies by 10 times its ability to retail water in all climates."

Eve Merinville, [ comfort zone ] R&D Global Director

Antioxidant Properties

Prickly pear is high in antioxidants such as vitamins E and C. The antioxidants in prickly pear can help protect the skin from oxidative stress, aging, inflammation, and sun damage. Every day, your skin comes into contact with many different harmful chemicals and pollutants, such as smoke, air pollution, and UV rays. By having antioxidant products incorporated into your skin care routine, you can help to protect your skin from some of the damage that these pollutants might cause.

Prickly Pears are rich in vitamin E, vitamin K, and zinc and antioxidants such as vitamins E and C, which protect the skin from oxidative stress, aging, inflammation, and sun damage. Every day, your skin comes into contact with many different harmful chemicals and pollutants, such as smoke, air pollution, and UV rays. By adding it to your diet, you can help to protect your skin from some of the damage that these pollutants might cause.

Anti-Aging Benefits

One of the most common goals of a meticulous skin care routine is to combat the signs of aging. We all seem to want to stay as youthful looking as possible (and no one is to blame for that). Prickly pear should be one of your first-line defenses against aging skin since it can work to prevent and heal wrinkles as well as improve skin elasticity.

Anti-Wrinkle, Anti-inflammatory, and Firming Benefits

Prickly pear is full of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and vitamin E that helps soothe the skin and replenish it–potentially reducing the appearance of wrinkles and preventing new ones from forming. In addition, this powerful ingredient helps hydrate, plump the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Thanks to the high concentration of a nutrient called betalains (actually one of the highest concentrations out of any other plant in the world). Betalains are a phytonutrient that has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to improve skin elasticity while stimulating collagen production.

Improves Skin Elasticity

Prickly pear contains a high concentration of something called betalains (actually one of the highest concentrations out of any other plant in the world). Betalains are a phytonutrient that has anti-inflammatory properties and in turn helps to improve skin elasticity and stimulate collagen production.

Moisturizing and Hydrating Benefits

Prickly pear offers a number of hydrating and moisturizing benefits that help to prevent dry skin and keep the skin glowing and plump. Some of the hydrating components of prickly pear include:

Linoleic acid. This component of prickly pear helps the skin retain moisture and stay hydrated.
Vitamin K. Vitamin K keeps the skin looking bright, prevents UV damage, and it improves the appearance of dark spots.
Omega fatty acids. In addition to linoleic acid, prickly pear has a high concentration of other omega fatty acids which help the skin cells bind to water and naturally retain moisture.

New Hydramemory - with Prickly Pear Extract from Regenerative, Organic Source

Now that you know all of the benefits of prickly pear, you’re probably ready to incorporate it into your daily routine. Incorporating prickly pear into your daily skincare routine is likely to reap some serious benefits. Based on a unique list of nourishing ingredients, prickly pear can help to reduce wrinkles, brighten, and moisturize skin.

Grown in Apulia and farmed according to the principles of regenerative organic agriculture, that does not use any pesticide, it helps protect biodiversity and support decarbonization, for a healthier skin, healthier soil, and air.

The Power of Prickly Pear Extract

This powerful ingredient may be exactly what you need to achieve and maintain glowing, youthful skin. Find the best skincare products to perfect your routine and reach your skin's highest potential.