Cold-pressed from the tiny seeds of the prickly pear cactus, prickly pear seed oil is light, silky and remarkably rich. It's the heart of nearly every Bloom 5.5 formula, and it's the oil Maria found when she was searching for something gentle enough for her son's sensitive skin.
Rare by Nature
Each prickly pear holds hundreds of small seeds, and each seed holds only a drop of oil. It takes about a ton of fruit — roughly 10,000 prickly pears — to make a single liter.
The fruit is picked by hand, carefully, around its fine spines. The seeds are separated from the pulp, dried at low temperatures to protect their nutrients, and cold-pressed. Low yield and careful hand work are why it's one of the most expensive plant oils in the world, often priced above argan.
What's Inside
- Linoleic acid (omega-6), about 60–70%. A building block of your skin's own barrier lipids, it helps skin stay soft, comfortable and moisturized.
- Vitamin E. One of the highest levels of any plant oil, mostly the less common gamma-tocopherol, for natural antioxidant protection.
- Plant sterols. Help support a healthy-looking skin barrier and comfort dry skin.
- Oleic acid (omega-9). Softens and nourishes.
- Vitamin K and plant phenolics. Additional natural antioxidants.
What It Does for Skin and Hair
- Soft, comfortable skin — helps skin hold on to moisture
- Light, never greasy — sinks in quickly with a soft, dry-touch finish, even on sensitive skin
- Antioxidant care — naturally rich in vitamin E
- Glow and shine — leaves skin looking radiant and hair looking smooth and glossy
- Gentle by nature — a simple, fragrance-free plant oil
Not a Token Ingredient
Because prickly pear seed oil is so precious, many products list it on the label but use only a trace. We use real amounts:
| Product | Prickly Pear Seed Oil |
|---|---|
| Midnight Bloom Serum | ~38% |
| Belly Oil | 25% |
| Desert Nectar Hair Serum | ~16% |
| Desert Veil Lip Balm | 12% |
| Belly Butter | 12% |
You'll also find it across our face, body, tattoo, beard and baby formulas. Where an oil doesn't fit the formula, we use another part of the plant: our Desert Dew Cleansing Pads use a water-soluble prickly pear extract, and our Postpartum Sitz Soak uses nopal (prickly pear pad) powder.
Grown Where Little Else Can
The prickly pear cactus thrives in hot, dry land with very little water. Much of the world's supply comes from Moroccan cooperatives, many of them led by women, who harvest, press and bottle the oil locally.
Our Other Key Ingredients
Prickly pear is the star, but it never works alone. Each formula pairs it with ingredients that do more together than they could on their own.
Squalane + Jojoba
Face formulas
Both closely resemble skin's own oils, so they carry prickly pear seed oil in quickly and leave a soft, dry-touch finish rather than a slick one.
Ceramides + Beta-Glucan + Panthenol
Radiance & Radiance Lite
Ceramides help replenish the lipids that hold skin cells together, while beta-glucan and panthenol draw in water and soothe. Together they help skin hold moisture longer.
Centella Asiatica + Birch Bark + Pearl Powder
Radiance & Radiance Lite
Centella (gotu kola) calms and comforts, birch bark extract supports a brighter, more even look, and fine pearl powder adds a soft, luminous finish.
Bakuchiol + Evening Primrose + Hemp Seed
Midnight Bloom
Bakuchiol is a plant-based alternative to retinol that's gentle on sensitive skin. Omega-rich evening primrose and hemp seed oils cushion and nourish while you sleep.
Argan + Marula + Castor + Tamanu
Desert Nectar
Argan and marula smooth frizz and add shine, castor adds slip, and tamanu with centella helps keep the scalp comfortable — all in a serum light enough for daily use.
Shea + Mango + Cocoa Butter + Arrowroot
Desert Bloom
Three butters seal in moisture while jojoba and prickly pear keep the feel light. A touch of arrowroot powder cuts the slip so skin feels soft, not oily.
Red Raspberry Seed Oil + Beeswax
Desert Veil
Raspberry seed and prickly pear oils soften and condition, while shea, mango and beeswax form a light protective layer that keeps lips comfortable.
Aloe + Glycerin + Hyaluronic Acid + Decyl Glucoside
Desert Dew
A gentle, plant-derived cleanser lifts makeup and grime while aloe, glycerin and hyaluronic acid leave a light layer of hydration behind — so skin feels soft, never tight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is prickly pear seed oil the same as prickly pear extract?
No. The seed oil is cold-pressed from the seeds and is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E. Extracts are usually made from the fruit, flower or pad, and they work differently. We list exactly which one is in each product.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It's a lightweight, fragrance-free plant oil, and it's the ingredient Bloom 5.5 was built around for sensitive skin. As with any new product, patch test first.
Will it feel greasy?
No. Its high linoleic acid content gives it a light texture that absorbs quickly and leaves a soft, dry-touch finish.
Can I use it on my hair?
Yes. A few drops smooth frizz and add shine. Try our Desert Nectar Hair Serum.