The prickly pear is an interesting desert plant. It’s both a veggie and a fruit - one of the few plants that make this distinction. The green pods of the plant are nopalito, or the vegetable, and the red-colored pear (called tuna) is the fruit. It is the state cactus of Texas.
Also called nopal, the prickly fruit and vegetable, when featured as a key ingredient as stated in the name: prickly pear lip balm, offers numerous benefits for skin health.
1. Exceptional hydration
One of the main challenges we face with our lips is keeping them well-hydrated. Prickly pear is synonymous with moisture retention, thanks to its natural water-binding compounds. When used in a lip balm, the powerful extracts of the plant lock in moisture, giving the lips lasting hydration throughout the day.
ArizonaSun offers this ingredient in its lip balm with an SPF of 15. Other ingredients include aloe vera, beeswax, sunflower seed oil, safflower seed oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, and tocopherol, all which enhance the balm’s soothing and hydrating properties.
2. Rich in antioxidants
Prickly pear is a veritable treasure trove of antioxidants - antioxidants that include vitamin E, vitamin C, and carotenoids. These antioxidants help neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are harmful molecules that cause oxidative stress on the skin. By incorporating the nopal cactus into your lip balm, you're providing your lips with the essential protection needed to combat premature aging and environmental damage.
3. Soothes inflamed or irritated lips
If you suffer from chapped or irritated lips, then prickly pear’s soothing qualities offer the needed relief. That's because it boasts anti-inflammatory properties that aid in calming redness and irritation. The soothing sensation provided by the lip balm can bring relief to even the most sensitive lips.
4. Promotes healing
Prickly pear’s compounds are known for their healing properties, and include betalains and flavonoids. These substances work together to calm inflammation, promote skin cell regeneration and speed up the healing process of damaged lips. Applying a lip balm infused with nopal then ensures that your lips receive these benefits whenever they need them most.
5. Natural & sustainable
Finally, by opting for a lip balm that uses prickly pear’s valuable health benefits shows that you’re also making a conscious choice to support the environment. This hearty desert plant thrives in arid conditions, and requires far less water than other common lip balm ingredients - ingredients like shea butter or coconut. Plus, the use of star ingredient encourages sustainable farming practices and supports local communities.
You can find prickly pear’s one-of-a-kind qualities in lip balms as it has gained the reputation, among dermatologists, as being a preferred skin care substance. That’s because the oil of the cactus plant stimulates collagen production and supports a faster cellular turnover rate. In addition, the oil contains vitamin K, which contributes to more supple lips and increased skin elasticity.
When you hear the word prickly combined with the word pear, it translates into fabulous lips and skin.
Adding prickly pear to a lip care routine is a smart move for anyone looking to enjoy hydrated, healthy, and naturally beautiful lips. With its exceptional moisturizing capabilities, rich antioxidant content, and natural healing properties, this desert plant is truly a powerhouse ingredient that deserves to be in your lip balm as well as on your lips!
Buy Your Prickly Pear Lip Balm on a Rope Today
Find Prickly Pear Lip Balm with SPF 15 on the ArizonaSun website. Enjoy smoother lips - starting today!