Emollient ingredient
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
Cold-pressed oil from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear / Barbary fig cactus). Despite only 0.1–1% seed content by fruit weight, the seed oil is exceptionally rich in linoleic acid (~60%) and vitamin E (primarily tocopherols), making it one of the most luxurious and antioxidant-rich botanical oils. The high linoleic acid content supports ceramide synthesis and barrier repair, while the vitamin E content provides potent antioxidant protection.
Also known as: prickly pear seed oil, cactus seed oil, barbary fig seed oil
emollientantioxidantskin-conditioning
Benefits
- ✓Exceptionally high linoleic acid content (~55–62%) — one of the richest plant sources of this barrier-repairing essential fatty acid
- ✓Contains unusually high levels of Vitamin E (tocopherols, ~600–900 mg/kg), making it one of the most antioxidant-rich botanical oils
- ✓Sterols (β-sitosterol, campesterol) and triterpenes contribute additional anti-inflammatory and skin-softening properties
Watch for
- ⚠Expensive and often adulterated — poor-quality sources may be cut with sunflower or argan oil; efficacy varies significantly by source
Compatibility
✓ Works well with
+ Squalane+ Niacinamide+ Ceramide NP
