AquaCacteen™

Opuntia ficus-indica is a succulent cactus native to Mexico, also known as prickly pear, nopal or Indian fig. The use of prickly pear as food and medicine dates back to the Aztecs of pre-Hispanic Mexico, who revered it as a sacred plant. Prickly pear contains piscidic acid, an excellent iron chelator. It also contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C, and the minerals potassium, calcium and magnesium. This is an organic BIO ingredient from Fair trade production with ECOCERT, NATURE and COSMOS certifications, obtained by extracting the plant's stems using glycerine and water to preserve its bioactive compounds.

This ingredient blocks the release of stress markers from sensory nerve cells in the skin, helping to soothe the skin and relieve irritation. It has excellent moisturising properties thanks to its high content of water-binding compounds, including polysaccharides and glycerine. It soothes and firms the skin and protects it from UV damage. In vitro tests demonstrated inhibition of the release of stress factors, reducing skin sensitivity and reactivity. In vivo tests confirmed a soothing effect after shaving, long-term relief from irritation, firming of UV-damaged skin and hydration even in rinse-off products. Clinical studies on men and women showed exceptional skin-soothing and firming effects. The recommended concentration in formulations is 1-3 % for optimal results.

It is particularly recommended for sensitive, irritated, dry and dehydrated skin, as well as skin exposed to stress or UV radiation, or after hair removal. It is also suitable for reactive skin prone to redness, oily skin prone to inflammation and mature skin in need of firming and hydration. It is well suited to serums, creams, aftershave gels and rinse-off cleansers.

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2010) demonstrated that Opuntia ficus-indica extract at a concentration of 2 % reduced the release of neuropeptides (stress markers) by 68 % in human-derived nerve cells in vitro, significantly soothing reactive skin. Another clinical study in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science (2012), involving 20 volunteers, showed that applying a 1 % solution for 28 days increased skin hydration by 25 % and reduced redness by 40 %, as measured with a spectrophotometer. These results confirm its effectiveness in long-term skincare.