Prickly Pear Oil: The Resource of Tomorrow
Considered one of the most expensive oils in the world, prickly pear oil is a precious raw material in cosmetics, but not only that! According to the UN, the prickly pear is designated as a food of the future, considering that this plant, which provides water, fodder, and food, could offer a solution to drought and famine in many countries. The resource of tomorrow!
plant of the future
For the UN, the prickly pear cactus is a valuable plant of the future that should be considered a fully-fledged edible plant, not a weed. According to them, prickly pears have much to offer. Furthermore, it is a plant that grows without water or maintenance.
Experts emphasize the resilience of Opuntia ficus-indica (prickly pear) and its significant nutritional and ecological benefits for the planet. Composed of 87% water, the prickly pear is a highly thirst-quenching fruit. During severe droughts, the cactus has proven to be an essential source of food, fodder, and water for local populations and their livestock.
What if we ate cactus?
The prickly pear is already being cooked in Mexico, Sicily and North Africa, and the UN agency has just published an information book, accompanied by tips "on the best way to exploit the culinary and cosmetic qualities of the plant".
Native to Mexico, where annual consumption is 6.4 kg per capita, it is also cultivated in Brazil with over 500,000 hectares of plantations. Finally, the plant is also grown around the Mediterranean, in North Africa, and in Ethiopia.
Besides its delicious taste, the prickly pear is good for your health. It is rich in fiber, vitamins C and E, sterols, and omega-6 fatty acids, giving it some of the most powerful antioxidant properties in the world. It therefore promotes healthy cell renewal in all the body's tissues.
nutritional and ecological value for the planet
Because the prickly pear cactus stores water in its branches, experts emphasize its benefits, describing it as "a botanical well capable of providing up to 180 tons of water per hectare." It's easy to see why the UN places so much emphasis on this fruit.
In addition, the cactus improves soil quality, promoting planting and could even, according to some research, help limit greenhouse gas emissions by reducing methanogenesis in ruminants when integrated into their diet.
Scientists must now focus on cultivation sites to develop this plant with its extraordinary and life-saving benefits.
OUR KEY INGREDIENT
Considered one of the most expensive oils in the world, it takes one ton of fruit to produce just one liter of oil. From the very beginning, we have chosen this precious oil as the key ingredient in our La Parfaite serum and our Fig solid cleanser. It's a dry oil that is quickly absorbed by the skin; it doesn't clog pores or leave a greasy residue. On the contrary, it tightens pores, refines skin texture, and reduces the appearance of scars.
Its advantages: it's suitable for all skin types. It's a powerful antioxidant, an exceptional anti-aging ally. It acts as a barrier against premature aging of the epidermis, prevents sagging skin, protects the skin from dehydration, and promotes the skin's natural repair process. Finally, its regulating action is also ideal for combination to oily skin.
