Prickly pear, or prickly pear cactus, is known for its flavorful fruit and pretty flowers. Prickly pears are native only to the Americas, but they have since been introduced to many other areas of the world, such as Mexico and in the Caribbean islands. Prickly pears are recommended as part of a healthy diet, as they are high in fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids, and can help boost heart health, improve the body’s antioxidant status, and improve blood sugar.
Prickly pear also provides benefits to the skin and hair as it provides hydration, contains vitamins and fatty acids to help reduce wrinkles and premature aging, brightens the complexion, stimulates collagen production, and more. “Characterized by bright red or yellow fruit, the prickly pear comes from a cactus plant and has been a dietary staple in places like Latin America for centuries,” says Natalie Pergar, lead skin care trainer at Eminence Organic Skin Care. “Now, this vibrant fruit is gaining popularity in skincare and wellness for the range of benefits it offers the skin. Packed with antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and minerals, this versatile ingredient is a triple threat. Whether it’s used as seed oil or fruit extract, prickly pear helps maintain hydration, supports the skin’s moisture barrier, and even minimizes the appearance of dark spots, making it a worthwhile ingredient to add to almost any skin care routine.”
Prickly Pear Pampering
Discover some of the prickly pear-based treatments available at spas today.
SE Spa at Grand Velas Riviera Maya (Quintana Roo, Mexico) offers the Páak'am Experience ($353, 80 minutes), which begins with a traditional Mayan blessing honoring the elements of water, wind, fire, and earth. Next, the spa therapist gently exfoliates the body with a sunflower cactus scrub. After a rinse in the in-room shower, the therapist massages the guest with the warm malleable nopales pads and a light rosemary oil. Post-treatment, guests are given a detox shot of spinach, cactus, cucumber, pineapple, and lime served with a fruit skewer.
Sagestone Spa at Red Mountain Resort (Ivins, UT) offers the Red Mountain Revitalizer ($190, 75 minutes), a full-body signature treatment that includes a prickly pear sugar scrub followed by a full-body massage under a warm Vichy shower. A scalp massage to wash and condition the hair completes the treatment.
At Miraval Arizona (Tucson, AZ), guests can opt for the Prickly Pear Sugar Scrub ($245, 50 minutes), a full-body exfoliation that uses pure cane sugar-rich oils, prickly pear, and calendula extract. A hydrating body butter application completes the experience to leave the skin with a full-body glow.
Guests at L’Apothecary Spa at L’Auberge de Sedona (AZ) can book the Arizona Sunset Sugar Scrub ($210, 60 minutes), a full-body exfoliation that includes a replenishing scrub using hydrating prickly pear sugar polish, a nourishing prickly pear butter application, and a relaxing head, neck, and scalp massage.
The CBD Luminous Gua-Sha Facial ($270, 50 minutes; $355, 80 minutes) at The Spa at Edgewood Tahoe Resort (Stateline, NV) combines gua sha with anti-inflammatory CBD and prickly pear facial oil to help enhance circulation, and improve the skin’s complexion.
Fruitful Benefit
We asked our experts about the benefits of prickly pear on the skin, and here’s what we found out:
Q: What are some of the benefits of prickly pear-based products on the skin?
A: “Prickly Pear is an incredibly beneficial ingredient when topically applied to skin because of several factors. To start, it’s packed with vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants, while also being known for its anti-inflammatory, oil-balancing, and wound-healing properties. Because of these beneficial compounds, Prickly Pear is known to support both hydration and moisture retention. Additionally, it works to strengthen the skin barrier, improve skin softness and smoothness, improve sun damage, reduce skin inflammation, encourage skin regeneration, and help balance the skin’s natural oils.”
—Kristen Sgarlato, head of product development and innovation, Naturopathica
Q: What are some interesting ways to promote spa treatments containing prickly pear?
A: “While you could go the traditional spa route of elevated or creative names such as Desert Bloom Facial or Cactus Glow and create your marketing around this, I believe that today’s spa-goer is looking beyond relaxation, pampering, and is not swayed by overly spa-like service names and wants to invest their time and money in professional skin services that deliver the accelerated results they are looking for, therefore marketing and service names should reflect this. Combining the knowledge that clients are looking for sustainable ingredients and natural components but want instant results and gratification, I would take the route of science-meets-nature and market your prickly pear services as being ‘Powered by Nature, Propelled by Science’ for unparalleled skin health results.”
—Heather Hickman, vice president of global education, Dermalogica
Q: What are some top uses of prickly pear-based products and treatments in a spa setting?
A: “Prickly pear-based products are incredibly versatile in a spa setting, especially because of their hydrating properties. You’ll often find prickly pear seed oil or extract in moisturizers, serums, oils, and even sunscreens. In a spa, products containing this ingredient are great to include in facials that focus on strengthening the skin’s moisture barrier and revitalizing dry, dull skin. This is especially important as we head into the colder months when hydration is key!”
—Natalie Pergar, lead skin care trainer, Eminence Organic Skin Care