Properties of cactus for the skin

|Lucía Poyo Vallina

Besides being a desert plant, the cactus offers endless properties for the skin that are making it one of the most demanded natural ingredients by the beauty and cosmetics sector.

It is rich in vitamins and amino acids and is used to treat skin spots, as an anti-aging agent, to purify, etc... If you are also looking to add this ingredient to your beauty routine, keep reading because at divain we tell you what they are the properties of cactus and the best cosmetics made with this ingredient. Keep reading!

Properties and benefits of cactus for the skin

As you well know, the cactus is a desert plant capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and storing water inside to survive for months. This retention capacity that characterizes this plant is what has interested many cosmetics professionals who have decided to include this ingredient in their product formulas.

Cactus extract has nourishing and regenerating properties for the skin thanks to containing a large number of vitamins and amino acids, of which eight are essential. Here we leave you what the multiple benefits for skin and hair:

  • Deep skin hydration: hydrates the deepest layers of the skin and keeps it fresh and nourished.
  • Fights the signs of aging: the cactus is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals and keeps the skin hydrated thanks to Vitamin E, which contains a large number of antioxidants and minerals such as calcium and iron.
  • Natural exfoliant: Despite its physical appearance, the cactus is one of the best exfoliants for the skin that you can find. Besides leaving the skin soft and smooth, it is also capable of fighting ingrown hairs.
  • Removes spots and dark circles: thanks to the vitamin K it contains, cactus extract provides brightness and evenness to the skin, lightening sunspots and eliminating dark circles.
  • Purifies and soothes: this plant is perfect for people with irritated or rosacea-prone skin, as its components help soothe, purify, and refresh skin with redness.
  • Fights acne: thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a powerful remedy to prevent and treat acne on oily skin.
  • Fights dandruff and hair loss: Besides the skin, cactus extract also has properties that help slow hair loss and fight dandruff.

By the way! Did you know that the cactus flower is also used as ingredient to make perfumes? If you want to feel the scent of this unique flower on your skin, we recommend our divain-190.

Best cosmetics with cactus extract

Eye contour creams, lip balms, masks, facial creams… Thanks to the properties and benefits of cactus, there is a wide variety of beauty products that contain this ingredient. Below, we have compiled the best cosmetics on the market that contain cactus extract in its formula.

Tonic with Kiehl’s cactus flower

The tonic cactus flower & "tibetan ginseng" is perfect to soothe irritated skin and enhance its hydration after cleansing. This product is one of the highest rated from the brand and is especially recommended for dry skin. Also, you can use it throughout the day to refresh yourself and give your skin an extra boost of hydration.

Crema facial Weleda

Within its line of products made with cactus extract, the 24h moisturizing facial cream is one of our favorites. Besides quick absorption, this light face cream also contains aloe vera, promises hydration and freshness throughout the day.

Mascarilla Cactus Water de Boscia

This gel facial mask from Boscia, made from plant-based ingredients such as seaweed extract or night queen cactus, hydrates and offers long-lasting freshness to your skin. Also, thanks to its vitamin C, it also serves to illuminate dark skin and fight against the signs of aging.

Nature In A Jar by Philosophy

Ideal for dry skin, this body cream is a “must” that cannot be missing every time you shower. It offers a immediate and deep hydration that lasts all day thanks to its components, among which we highlight cactus water and shea butter.

Scientists have discovered that the prickly pear seed oil "prickly pear" contains a concentration of essential fatty acids so powerful that it surpasses traditional premium ingredients. With optimized extraction performance, this "liquid gold of the desert" is redefining the standards of scientific cosmetics.
What makes cactus unique in 2025: Its ability to extreme survival in the desert results in polysaccharides, polyphenols, and amino acids that act as natural protective shield for human skin. The green extraction methods recently developed preserve these bioactive compounds while maintaining a circular economy approach that uses waste from the food industry.

As you can see, cactus extract is a perfect ingredient to care for and pamper your skin in the healthiest and most natural way. What are you waiting for to incorporate it into your beauty routine?

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