Prickly pear - perennial plant of the cacti family growing in the steppes of Central America, Argentina, Canada. It is also cultivated in the Caucasus, in Turkmenistan, in the Crimea. Opuntia (flat cactus) cold pressing seeds receive the most valuable oil, long used in cosmetology and medicine. It is rightly deserved the title of this "elixir of youth"
Did you know? Cactus oil is found in most anti-aging products of luxury cosmetic brands.
Opuntia oil: chemical composition and description
Cactus oil has a complex chemical composition:
- saturated fatty acids (stearic, palmitic);
- monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid, etc.);
- polyunsaturated fatty acids (inolenic, etc.);
- vitamin E;
- sterols;
- tocotrienols and tocopherols (antioxidants).
The oil is a thick liquid with a slight unobtrusive smell. The color is most often from light yellow to orange. It quickly penetrates the skin and is well absorbed, leaving no stickiness.
Useful properties of oil
Prickly pear seed oil is characterized by a number of beneficial properties:
- immunostimulating;
- sunscreen;
- anti-inflammatory;
- rejuvenating;
- regenerating;
- moisturizing.
It perfectly removes dark circles under the eyes, wrinkles around the lips and eyes, improves the microcirculation of lymph and blood, slows down the aging process of the skin, improves its tone, neutralizes irritation.
Oil in medicine is used to treat obesity, gastritis, diabetes, hypertension, abdominal pain, liver disease, edema, cellulite, and other diseases.
Use of oil in cosmetology
The best effect from the use of oil of prickly pears is achieved when caring for mature skin of the face and body. It eliminates skin laxity, smoothes wrinkles, acts as a natural UV filter, restores the blurred facial contour, nourishes and moisturizes, promotes healing of wounds.
It is excellent for care for sparse, weak hair, as it nourishes them with essential vitamins and microelements, strengthens, gives strength and volume, and promotes rapid growth.
When caring for the skin of the body and hands, it is used for massage, various spa procedures, lifting, as an oil after water treatments and tanning.
It has a rejuvenating effect on the skin of the neck, décolleté and chest.
Taking a bath with prickly pear oil is shown under strong emotional stress, stress, workload.
Did you know? Flat cactus oil is called natural botox.
Application of oil: recipes
To prepare a mask for withering skin, it is necessary to mix in equal amounts the prickly pear oil and pomegranate seed oil extract. This mixture is applied for 20-25 minutes with light massage movements on cleansed skin. It is applied 1-2 times a week.
Regenerating facial oil is prepared from the following ingredients:
- 5 ml of prickly pear oil;
- 29 ml of prickly pear fruit extract;
- 15 ml of primrose oil;
- 5 drops of neroli oil;
- 1 drop of carrot oil;
- 5 drops of sandalwood oil.
The wonderful oil cream for eyelids can be prepared from:
- 2 ml of prickly pear oil;
- 2 ml of rose oil;
- 8 ml of calendula oil;
- 4 ml avocado oil.
Important! When applying you need to be careful that the oil does not fall into the eyes.
To care for the skin of the breast and decollete in equal proportions, they mix the prickly pear oil, avocado oil and evening primrose oil. Apply 2-3 times a week.
Before taking a bath, 10-15 drops of prickly pear oil are diluted in 3-4 tbsp. l emulsifier (cream, salt, honey, milk) and then add to the water. Bath time is about 20 minutes.
In its pure form is used as an oil after tanning, body milk.
It can also be used to enrich any cosmetic products for skin care of the face, body, hands, hair. For this, 2-4 drops of prickly pear oil are added to a single portion of the product.
Contraindications and side effects
When using prickly pear oil, no side effects have been identified, but individual intolerance is not excluded, manifested in headaches, red spots on the skin, nausea or vomiting. If such allergic reactions occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Prickly pear oil - A unique skin care product that contains a record amount of antioxidants. Proper use of this product will help to preserve youth and beauty for a long time.
