Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract
Prickly pear stem (cladode) extract rich in polysaccharides. One short study found higher skin water content after a 1% extract. Soothing data come only from cells and rats
Evidence by route
Topical application
Moisturizing rests on one short study. A nanoemulsion with 1% extract raised stratum corneum water content for 5 hours, with no reported comparison against the base. Soothing data come only from cells and rats, and film formation on the skin has not been studied
- C
Moisturizing
A nanoemulsion with 1% extract raised stratum corneum water content for 5 hours (Ribeiro 2015); no comparison with the base or participant count is reported
- C
Soothing
Data on anti-inflammatory and protective effects come from rats with skin wounds and from keratinocytes (Adjafre 2024, Petruk 2017); these effects have not been studied in people
- D
Film on the skin
Film formation on the skin has not been studied
- Ribeiro RC et al. Production and characterization of cosmetic nanoemulsions containing Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) mill extract as moisturizing agent. Molecules. 2015;20(2):2492-509. PMID 25648593
- Di Lorenzo F et al. The polysaccharide and low molecular weight components of Opuntia ficus indica cladodes: Structure and skin repairing properties. Carbohydr Polym. 2017;157:128-136. PMID 27987833
- Adjafre BL et al. Anti-inflammatory and healing effect of the polysaccharidic extract of Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in cutaneous excisional wounds in rats. Int J Exp Pathol. 2024;105(1):33-44. PMID 37991201
- Petruk G et al. Protective effect of Opuntia ficus-indica L. cladodes against UVA-induced oxidative stress in normal human keratinocytes. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2017;27(24):5485-5489. PMID 29107540
How to read tiers A–F
- CWeak evidence. In vitro data, open-label studies, or expert consensus
- DNo data, or very weak or conflicting data
Tolerability and safety
- Working concentrations
- In the only human measurement the nanoemulsion contained 1% extract (Ribeiro 2015); a rat study applied a polysaccharide extract to wounds at 0.01–1% (Adjafre 2024)
- Irritation potential
- Low
- Allergen risk
- Low
- Pregnancy
- Unknown
- Suitable for
- Normal, Dry, Combination, Oily, Sensitive
About this ingredient
Prickly pear stem extract (INCI Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract) is made from cladodes, the flat stem segments of the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus. Their mucilage contains polysaccharides (a linear galactan and a branched xyloarabinan) and small molecules such as lactic acid, mannitol, piscidic and eucomic acids (Di Lorenzo 2017). In cosmetics the extract goes into moisturizing and soothing products. Human data come from one short measurement. A nanoemulsion with 1% hydroglycolic Opuntia ficus-indica extract raised stratum corneum water content on the forearm for 5 hours after application (Ribeiro 2015). The abstract does not give the number of volunteers, the comparison with the base without extract, or the part of the plant used. Soothing has been studied only in cells and animals. Cladode mucilage sped up scratch closure in a keratinocyte layer (Di Lorenzo 2017), and a water extract of cladodes protected keratinocytes from UVA-induced oxidative stress (Petruk 2017). Both papers include co-authors from a company that produces plant extracts. In rats with skin wounds, a 0.01–1% polysaccharide extract applied twice a day reduced edema and inflammatory infiltration and improved healing (Adjafre 2024). Film formation on the skin and any effect on the feeling of irritation have not been measured. There are no data on irritation or sensitization from the extract. There are no data on use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions
Is Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract safe during pregnancy?
Safety data for Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract during pregnancy is insufficient. Best avoided when in doubt.
What skin types is Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract for?
Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract suits: normal, dry, combination, oily, sensitive.
What is Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract and what does it do in cosmetics?
Prickly pear stem (cladode) extract rich in polysaccharides.
What's the INCI name for Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract?
The INCI name is Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract. It may also appear as: Prickly Pear Stem Extract.
What concentration of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract is effective?
In the only human measurement the nanoemulsion contained 1% extract (Ribeiro 2015); a rat study applied a polysaccharide extract to wounds at 0.01–1% (Adjafre 2024)
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