10 Best Esthetician-Approved Prickly Pear Oils Of 2024
Rejuvenate your skin and protect it against acne, dryness, and more with this potent ingredient.
Olunife Ofomata, founder and CEO of Sweeter Juice Skin, is an expert in the fields of esthetics, medical esthetics, and makeup artistry with over 14 years of experience. She is a licensed esthetician and certified makeup artist and obtained her makeup and esthetics education from Makeup Designory in Soho, NYC and Long Island Nail & Skin Care Institute.
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Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
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If you haven’t heard of the illustrious prickly pear seed oil, you have been missing out! Like a youthful elixir, this oil rejuvenates and protects the skin. We have curated a list of the best prickly pear oils on the market. The oil is extracted from the yellow and pink fruit seeds of the prickly pear cactus Opuntia. It is lightweight and can be used in its undiluted form as well. It has antibacterial benefits and is enriched with potent antioxidants (1). It protects the skin from acne breakouts, dehydration, and sun damage. In addition, it contains linoleic acid, which improves skin hydration for a radiant complexion. Scroll down to check out 10 of the best prickly pear oils you can find on the internet.
In This Article
Top 10 Prickly Pear Oils For Gorgeous Skin (2024)
Note:These pure, cold-pressed oils are suitable for all skin types. However, a patch test is recommended to avoid allergic reactions.
1. Best Lightweight:Fatima’s Garden Prickly Pear Seed Oil
The Fatima’s Garden Prickly Pear Seed Oil is sourced from the Berber women in Moroccan cooperatives and is ECOCERT certified 100% organic. This moisturizing oil is extracted from the first cold press of the prickly pear seeds that contain vitamins E and K. It claims to help lighten dark circles, spots, and hyperpigmentation and tighten the skin pores.
The oil contains a high percentage of linoleic acid and phytosterols that moisturize and soften the skin, boost collagen production, and maintain skin elasticity. It also claims to heal acne, cold sores, minor burns, cuts, and blemishes. This oil is suitable for all skin types, kids, and pregnant women. It is also not tested on animals.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sustainable
- USDA and ECOCERT certified organic
- Hygienic packaging
- Non-GMO
- Unrefined
- Gets absorbed fast
- Two caps (roll-on, pipette)
- Ethically sourced oil
Cons
- May sting
"This moisturizing oil is very beneficial for my skin. My dark spots have reduced after regular usage. I have also noticed that my acne and blemishes have lessened. The product also gets absorbed in the skin quickly."
Quick Tip
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has gained over 1,589 positive reviews on Amazon, making it an all-time best-seller.
2. Best Certified Organic:Ecla Skin Care Prickly Pear Seed Oil
The Ecla Skin Care Prickly Pear Seed Oil is USDA-certified 100% pure virgin cold-pressed oil sourced from Morocco that enhances the skin barrier. This revitalizing oil is unrefined and is claimed to be a natural solution for improving wrinkles and radiant skin. It contains vitamins E and K and amino acids that help brighten dark spots and reduce acne and blemishes. This oil is non-greasy, restores skin elasticity, and is ideal for dry and mature skin types. You can apply it directly or mix it with your favorite cream, serum, or shampoo.
Pros
- USDA certified organic
- GMO-free
- Lightweight
- Gets absorbed fast
- Unscented
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Chemical-free
Cons
- Unpleasant fragrance
"This unscented oil has helped me to get a radiant skin. It is lightweight and gets absorbed into the skin fast. My acne and blemishes have been reduced since I started using this oil regularly. I apply it directly and sometimes I mix it with my favorite cream and apply it."
Pro Tip3. Best Unrefined:Leven Rose Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil
The Leven Rose Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil is a pharmaceutical-grade oil and has skin rejuvenating and anti-aging benefits. This restorative oil is a multitasker – it nourishes your skin as well as your scalp and hair.
You can use this oil as a serum and directly apply on your skin and also apply it on the hair roots to nourish them, prevent hair fall, and keep them hydrated. This oil is fused with unsaturated fatty acids that moisturize your skin and keep it healthy and glowing. It also contains vitamins E and K that soften your skin. This oil is especially beneficial in replenishing dry and mature skin.
Pros
- Great for chemically treated hair
- Non-irritating
- Heals flaky skin
- Soy-free
- Unrefined
- No animal testing
Cons
- Greasy
"This multi-purpose oil has been great for both my skin and hair. It has revitalized my skin. I also apply it on my scalp and my hair seems well nourished. The oil has also helped me with my flaky skin issues. My hair fall has also lessened since I regularly started using the product."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 513 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
| Fatima’s Garden Prickly Pear Seed Oil Best Lightweight | Ecla Skin Care Prickly Pear Seed Oil Best Certified Organic | Leven Rose Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil Best Unrefined | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1.3 x 1.3 x 3.7 inches | 3.9 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches | - |
| Weight | 5.6 Ounces | 1 Ounces | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,589 | 436 | 513 |
| Price | $29.99 | $24.99 | $29.97 |
4. Best Fragrance-Free:Poppy Austin Pure Barbary Fig Seed Oil
The Poppy Austin Pure Barbary Fig Oil by Poppy Austin is a 100% pure and organic oil that offers a luminous glow. This cold-pressed oil is lightweight and gets absorbed fast. It is infused with anti-inflammatory agents, carotenes, and essential fatty acids that nourish, moisturize, and rejuvenate the skin. This oil contains vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids that provide instant hydration and make the skin smooth, plump, and healthy.
Regular application of the oil provides UV protection and prevents oxidative damage, premature aging, wrinkles, fine lines, and pigmentation. It also boosts cell regeneration and faster cell turnover while preventing environmental stress and pollution. You can add this oil to your regular shampoo and moisturizer.
Pros
- Money-back guarantee
- No chemical additives
- Fragrance-free
- No synthetic colorants
- Repairs cuticles and split ends
- Certified vegan
Cons
- May causes breakouts
"This oil keeps my skin hydrated. My skin feels smoother and healthier after each application. My wrinkles and fine lines have also reduced since I started using the oil regularly. I often mix it with my moisturizer to apply it and the results are impressive."
5. Best For All Skin Types:Baja Basics Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil
The Baja Basics Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil is 100% organic and undiluted prickly pear seed oil. This is first-pressed oil, meaning it is of high quality and is potent. It is loaded with natural antioxidants that protect the skin from wear and tear, omega fatty acids to soften and moisturize the skin, and amino acids to boost collagen production.
This oil restores and revives your skin health, improves firmness, reduces wrinkles, spots, and fine lines, and keeps it rejuvenated. You can apply this oil to your face, hair, and nails. It does not contain any artificial fillers and additives and is safe for all skin types.
Pros
- Prevents redness and sunburns
- Suitable for dry/sensitive and mature skin
- Can double as a makeup remover
- Hydrating
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- No synthetic perfumes
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May feel heavy
"This oil has helped me greatly with my sunburns. It has also made my dry skin feel rejuvenated. It keeps my skin hydrated and has reduced the appearance of wrinkles. I have also used this oil on my hair and nails and the results are impressive."
6. Best Against Premature Aging:Dr Adorable Inc Prickly Pear Seed Oil
The Dr Adorable Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a 100% first cold-pressed oil of prickly pear seeds. It is pure and slightly viscous and has a mild oily scent and greenish yellow-hue. This skin softening oil is loaded with tocopherol (vitamin E), amino acids, and unsaturated fatty acids that nourish your skin, prevent dryness, premature aging, and spots, and keep it soft, supple, and plump. This lightweight oil is fast absorbing. You can also use it on your nails and hair to maintain their health. This oil has a shelf-life of two years.
Note: First cold-pressed oil has a different texture, color, aroma, and consistency than cold-pressed oils.
Pros
- Can be used on the skin, hair, and nails
- 100% organic
- First cold-pressed
- No residue
- GMO-free
Cons
- None
7. Best Non-Greasy:Botanical Beauty Organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil
The Botanical Beauty Prickly Pear Seed Oil is 100% pure, virgin, and unrefined. It is loaded with vitamins B, C, E, and K, fatty acids like omega 3,6, and 9, along with other natural antioxidants. This oil is excellent for mature, dry, and damaged skin and offers a natural glow.
This oil helps improve skin elasticity, reduce itchiness and flakiness, moisturize the skin, and retain hydration for longer. It also helps relieve skin irritation and itching and can be used as a massage oil for weak nails and frizzy hair. This oil is calming and gentle on the skin and helps to soothe skin issues like psoriasis, eczema, stretch marks, cuts, and scars.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gets absorbed fast
- Long shelf life
- Non-greasy
- Unrefined
- 100% organic
Cons
- Expensive for the quantity
"This facial oil moisturizes my skin well. It has also helped with my skin irritation and itching. I also use it on my nails and hair. Applying the oil regularly has made my frizzy hair more manageable. My skin is also more hydrated after making the oil a daily part of my skincare routine."
8. Best For Hair Growth:Gya Labs Organic Prickly Pear Seed Organic Carrier Oil
The Gya Labs Prickly Pear Seed Organic Carrier Oil is a first cold-pressed of prickly pear seeds and is sourced from Morocco. This 100% pure and natural oil moisturizes the skin and improves its overall health. It also helps maintain dry and frizzy hair while enhancing your overall hair health. It also nourishes chapped lips and brittle nails.
The oil contains linoleic acid that calms and soothes issues like rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, and itchiness. The vitamin E in this oil further boosts collagen production, improves skin elasticity, and reduces dark spots, signs of aging, and pigmentation to brighten it and keep it youthful. This product is lightweight and gets absorbed quickly into the skin without any residue to eliminate uneven skin tone.
Pros
- Tightens the skin
- Evens out the skin tone
- Suitable for all skin types
- Promotes hair growth
- 100% organic
Cons
- None
"This oil has given me an even skin tone. My skin also feels tighter since I started using it. It is quite lightweight and gets absorbed into the skin quickly. I also apply it on my hair and the results are impressive. My hair health has been healthier since its regular application."
9. Best Non-Comedogenic:Vitae Organics Prickly Pear Seed Oil – Broken Link
Add the Vitae Organics Prickly Pear Seed Oil, which is a certified organic, 100% pure prickly pear seed oil with therapeutic benefits. This oil contains unsaturated fatty acid (oleic acid), polyunsaturated fatty acid (linoleic acid), and vitamins A, D, and E. All these essential nutrients promote the cell renewal process and prevent free radical damage to improve signs of aging.
This prickly pear seed oil helps soothe sunburn, itchy, and scaly skin, promotes scar healing, and improves skin texture. It also claims to prevent keloids and stretch marks and tone the skin. This oil acts as a tensor to revitalize and firm the fat cell deposits under the skin, minimize skin pores, and add shine to the skin.
Pros
- Mild herbal aroma
- Non-comedogenic
- Tones the skin
- Therapeutic
- Unrefined oil
- Certified organic
- Lightweight
Cons
- None
10.Best Cruelty-Free:evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir
Evanhealy Blue Cactus Beauty Elixir formula boosts hydration and nourishes the skin. This oil works well for dry, devitalized, sensitive skin type. The oil is infused with vitamin E, which helps minimize wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. The Haiiwian sandalwood present in the oil nourishes and protects from dryness. Also, the oil reduces redness, flakiness, dry patches and illuminates the skin.
Pros
- Travel-friendly
- User-friendly
- Certified organic
- Gluten-free
- Non-GMO
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"This elixir hydrates my skin well. It also keeps my skin well-nourished. I have also noticed that the appearance of my fine lines and wrinkles has reduced since I started using this product. It also keeps my dry skin healthy."
These are the top 10 prickly pear oils available that contain natural ingredients. If you are wondering what are the benefits of prickly pear seed oil, here is your answer.
How Does Prickly Pear Benefit Skin?
There is not enough scientific proof regarding the benefits of prickly pear oil. However, a few studies have found some skin-health boosting properties of this oil.
- It Has Antibacterial Properties: Prickly pear oil is antioxidant-rich and also has antibacterial properties (1). It is assumed that these properties may help maintain skin health and prevent any damage. The antibacterial properties may also help in preventing acne issues.
- It Is A Potent Carrier Oil: A carrier oil is used for mixing essential oils or other ingredients to help deliver the ingredient to the skin. Prickly pear oil is a highly effective carrier oil. A study done on rats found that this oil could deliver vitamin A topically and is suitable for cosmeceutical applications (2).
- It May Improve Skin Hydration: Prickly pear oil contains high levels of linoleic acid. This polyunsaturated fatty acid helps the skin retain water, thus improving its hydration levels.
As per anecdotal evidence, prickly pear oil also helps improve skin texture by enhancing the skin renewal rate. Here is how you can use it.
How To Use Prickly Pear Seed Oil
- Undiluted: Rub a few drops of the oil between your palms and apply to your face or body.
- As A Carrier Oil: Mix 1-2 drops of any essential oil with a teaspoon of prickly pear seed oil (1% and 2% dilution, respectively). Apply the mixture to your face or body.
Prickly pear seed oil is considered safe for the skin. However, there are a few reasons for avoiding it altogether. Find out who should avoid using the oil and why.
Side Effects Of Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Avoid prickly pear oil if you are allergic to the fruit or similar fruits (like dragon fruit). Otherwise, you may experience side effects like:
- Bloating
- Redness
- Rashes
- Itching
- Sneezing or wheezing
Infographic: What To Look For When Buying Prickly Pear Oil
Prickly pear seed oil, like a young elixir, rejuvenates and protects the skin. It is lightweight and may be used undiluted as well. You can find many brands selling this oil online and at stores. To help you pick the best oil for your skin, we have curated a list of factors you need to consider before buying prickly pear oil.
Check out the infographic below for more information.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
The prickly pear seed oil has multiple skin benefits. Although it lacks enough scientific backing, those who have used it swear by the oil’s effects. Though these oils are expensive, they show visible results on your skin and are worth investing in. The Fatima’s Garden Prickly Pear Seed Oil stands out for its premium quality and cold-pressed extraction method, ensuring optimal skin benefits, the Leven Rose Prickly Pear Cactus Seed Oil is for those who prefer a pure and potent oil that is great for chemically-treated hair, and the Poppy Austin Pure Barbary Fig Seed Oil offers sun protection and prevents premature aging signs like fine lines and under-eye circles. Prickly pear oil can be used as a potent carrier oil, has antibacterial properties, and improves skin hydration. It has a nutrient-packed profile that offers a myriad of skin-related benefits. The high concentration of essential fatty acids reduces redness and inflammation. But, remember to do a patch test to check for any allergic reactions.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this article, is a certified skin care coach. She compiled a list of the best prickly pear oils after checking several product reviews and customer feedback on trusted online forums and brand websites. The products in our article can help prevent acne breakouts, photodamage, dryness, and dullness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is prickly pear seed oil so costly?
It is expensive due to the method of its extraction. It takes a lot of fruits to produce a small bottle of oil. Therefore, it tends to be costly.
What does prickly pear seed oil smell like?
It depends on the season and location. Oil collected from seeds harvested in winter has a strong sweet smell, while oil from the seeds harvested in summer has an odor similar to olives.
Does prickly pear seed oil clog pores?
No, prickly pear seed oil is non-comedogenic.
Can we use prickly pear seed oil for hair?
Yes, it can be used for hair and scalp massage.
How do you make prickly pear seed oil?
Pluck the fruits, extract the seeds, and dry them. Use an oil press machine to extract the oil and then filter it.
Does prickly pear oil grow hair?
Yes, prickly pear oil contains betalains and phenolic compounds which can stimulate hair growth.
Does prickly pear even tone the skin?
Yes, prickly pear oil contains nourishing fatty acids that can help fade hyper-pigmentation and dark spots while also preventing acne and skin inflammation.
Is prickly pear oil good for scars?
Prickly pear oil contains healthy fatty acids, zinc, and Vitamin K that can repair skin discoloration or scarring. It also helps to prevent redness and remove acne-causing bacteria from the skin.
References
Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.
- Koubaa, Mohamed, et al. “Seed Oil Extraction from Red Prickly Pear Using Hexane and Supercritical CO2: Assessment of Phenolic Compound Composition, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities.” Wiley Online Library, 97.2 (2016): 613-620.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.7774 - AlZahabi, Sham, et. al. “Nanostructured lipid carriers incorporating prickly pear seed oil for the encapsulation of vitamin A.” Wiley Online Library, 18.6(2019): 1875-1884.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12891 - Must-Have Instanatural Products To Up Your Skin Care Game
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