Prickly Pear Seed Oil
Opuntia ficus-indica
Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a premium cold-pressed cosmetic lipid oil obtained from the seeds of Opuntia ficus-indica, cultivated in the arid regions of South Africa.
Characterised by its high linoleic acid content, light sensory profile and naturally occurring tocopherols, Prickly Pear is particularly suited to premium skincare formulations that require a lightweight, distinctive lipid ingredient.
Its exceptionally low oil yield and intensive production process make genuine Prickly Pear Seed Oil one of the higher-value cosmetic lipid oils.
Origin & Sourcing
- Botanical: Opuntia ficus-indica
- Raw material: Prickly pear seed
- Origin: South Africa
- Cultivation: Commercially cultivated
- Extraction: Mechanical cold pressing
- Refining: Unrefined
- Additives: None
Afrika Botanicals sources Prickly Pear Seed Oil produced from fruit grown in South Africa, principally in the Free State and Northern Cape.
Although Opuntia ficus-indica is not indigenous to Africa, it is well established in South Africa and particularly suited to the country’s dry interior regions.
We press Prickly Pear Seed Oil in relatively small batches to maintain freshness and quality. We can accommodate larger commercial orders, with a typical production lead time of about three weeks.
Performance Profile
Prickly Pear Seed Oil is distinguished by its linoleic-rich fatty acid profile, light texture and naturally occurring tocopherols.
Its high degree of unsaturation provides an elegant sensory profile but also means that appropriate formulation, storage and oxidation management are important.
Key formulation characteristics include:
Premium formulation positioning – particularly suited to products where ingredient provenance and concentration justify higher formulation cost
High linoleic acid content – provides a distinctive polyunsaturated lipid profile
Lightweight texture – particularly suited to facial oils, serums and premium emulsions
Rapid absorption – useful where a lighter, less greasy sensory profile is required
Naturally occurring tocopherols – contribute to the oil’s antioxidant profile
Low oil yield – substantial quantities of seed are required to produce relatively small quantities of oil
Technical Information
- INCI: Opuntia Ficus-Indica Seed Oil
- CAS: 90082-21-6
- Extraction: Cold-pressed
- Refining: Unrefined
- Appearance: Light yellow to golden liquid oil
- Odour: Mild, characteristic
- Typical shelf life: 24 months under recommended storage conditions
Natural variation in colour, odour and analytical values can occur between harvests and production batches.
Batch-specific analytical values are provided on the applicable Certificate of Analysis.
Applications
Prickly Pear Seed Oil is particularly suited to premium cosmetic formulations, including:
- Facial oils and serums
- Premium creams and emulsions
- Eye-area formulations
- Treatment oils
- Lipid blends
- Specialist skincare formulations
It is particularly useful where light texture, rapid absorption, a linoleic-rich profile and premium ingredient positioning are required.
Conventional Supply
Afrika Botanicals currently supplies conventional South African Prickly Pear Seed Oil.
Certified organic Prickly Pear Seed Oil is not currently part of our standard portfolio.
Quality & Documentation
Prickly Pear Seed Oil is supplied with appropriate technical documentation, including:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA)
- Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Origin and traceability information
Representative documentation is available during product evaluation, with batch-specific documentation supplied where applicable to commercial orders.
Packaging & Commercial Supply
Available formats can include:
- 1 litre
- 5 litre
- Larger commercial quantities by arrangement
We manage production in relatively small batches to maintain freshness, while maintaining sufficient capacity for larger commercial requirements.
For larger orders, please allow approximately three weeks from order confirmation for production, subject to raw-material availability.
Samples
Samples are available for formulation and commercial evaluation.
When requesting a sample or quotation, please provide your anticipated order quantity, annual volume and destination.
or buy a sample now
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does your Prickly Pear Seed Oil come from?
We produce our Prickly Pear Seed Oil in South Africa from Opuntia ficus-indica grown mainly in the Free State and Northern Cape.
Is Prickly Pear indigenous to Africa?
No. Opuntia ficus-indica originated in the Americas but is now well established in South Africa and particularly adapted to the country’s arid growing regions.
Why is genuine Prickly Pear Seed Oil expensive?
The seeds contain relatively little oil. Considerable quantities of fruit and seed are therefore required to produce a comparatively small quantity of cold-pressed seed oil. Harvesting, seed separation and processing also contribute significantly to production cost.
Is your Prickly Pear Seed Oil freshly pressed?
We produce Prickly Pear Seed Oil in relatively small batches rather than storing large quantities of finished oil.
Is Prickly Pear Seed Oil refined?
Our standard Prickly Pear Seed Oil is cold-pressed and unrefined.
Is certified organic Prickly Pear available?
No. Our current South African Prickly Pear Seed Oil is conventional.
What is the shelf life?
Typically 24 months when stored correctly in unopened packaging. Refer to the applicable product documentation for the supplied material.
Can you supply technical documentation?
Yes. COA, TDS and SDS documentation is available.
Can you supply large commercial orders?
Yes. We can accommodate larger commercial requirements. Because we produce in relatively small batches, larger orders generally require about three weeks’ lead time.
Please provide your required quantity and anticipated annual volume so that production can be planned accordingly.