Surely we have all heard about prickly pear, and many of us should eat it because of its health benefits and delicious taste, but have you ever heard about prickly pear oil? Do you know its health benefits? Get acquainted with us through the following paragraphs about prickly pear oil, which is considered one of the most expensive oils available in the market, its health benefits, how to use it, and whether it has any harm or not.

What is prickly pear oil?

It is a type of oil extracted from prickly pear seeds, rich in fatty acids and important nutrients such as vitamin E and antioxidants. Prickly pear oil is not considered an essential oil, as it is usually used as a carrier (diluting substance) to be added to other essential oils, but recently it has been promoted as a separate type that can be used in skin care products.

Benefits of prickly pear oil

There is not a large amount of scientific evidence that fully supports the health benefits of prickly pear oil, and according to the available research, the importance of this oil is in the benefits it provides to the skin. The benefits of prickly pear oil for the skin include the following:

• It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories that can protect the skin from sunlight, aging and other problems affecting the skin and complexion.
• It contains a high fat content, which makes it an important and useful carrier substance, and the results of some studies showed that it was very beneficial for the skin when combined with vitamin A. When vitamin A is applied separately to the skin, it may cause irritation, but prickly pear oil helped alleviate this.
• It contains a large amount of linoleic acid, which helps maintain skin moisture and helps in skin glow.

How to use prickly pear oil

Ways to use this oil include:

• If using undiluted oil: One or two drops of oil can be placed on the hand, then gently rubbed into the skin and skin.
• If using oil as a diluent: The oil can be combined with a few drops of another essential oil of choice, then combine the mixture and apply it gently to the skin.

In the event that the oil is not used, it is preferable to put it and store it in the refrigerator, and to obtain the best results, care must be taken to use it within only one year or two years at most from the date of purchase.

How do I know the original prickly pear oil?

It is usually written on the label of the original prickly pear oil that it is 100% pure, and the pure or original type of this oil tends to be dark yellow, mixed with a very light green color. Another thing that can help identify the original type is that it has a very strong smell, similar to that of nuts.

Are there any damages to prickly pear oil?

Prickly pear oil is usually safe to use for all skin types, in the absence of any skin problems. If you are allergic to prickly pear, this oil should not be used.

In the case of sensitive skin, it is best to do an allergy test first by using a small amount of oil on the wrist, and waiting for at least 24 hours. In case of an allergic reaction, this oil should not be used.

Also, among the factors that may be classified as defects in the oil extracted from prickly pear, is its high price, as a result of using a large amount of prickly pear oil to make this oil.

Prickly pear oil price

Prickly pear oil is considered one of the most expensive types of oils available for skin care, due to the manufacturing process and the amount of prickly pear needed to make one bottle, and prices vary from one country to another, in terms of packaging and shipping. This oil is usually available at the following prices:

• In Egypt: the price of a bottle may reach 1800 dollars.
• In Saudi Arabia: 250.00 Saudi riyals.
• In Morocco: between 350 and 400 dollars, but the price may reach a thousand dollars after packaging and shipping.