Sharpen your knowledge of cactus extract, one of skincare’s most powerful ingredients —with anti-aging, ultra-hydrating, skin-firming, toxin-thwarting, and complexion-clearing benefits

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While prickly to the touch, cactus also happens to be one of the most soothing skincare ingredients. Many brands have yet to catch on to cactus’ skin-friendly benefits, but those people using cactus notice an instant spike in their skin’s elasticity and moisture levels.

That’s why cactus is the central ingredient in each of Cardon’s formulas, and it even inspired the brand name itself.

The cardon cactus, native to Mexico, is the tallest species of cacti in the world, and usually bears a half dozen or more “branches” that tower beautifully overhead.

In skincare, however, the use of cacti for their soothing, healing properties dates back to the Aztec era. Nowadays, cactus extract is typically derived from the prickly pear cactus, as is the case in each of Cardon’s products. The prickly pear cactus is native to the United States and Mexico, and is also the most commonly eaten cactus—particularly in Mexican cuisine—due to its flat, paddle-like segments. And yes, it’s just as healthy to eat, assuming you’ve de-prickled the paddle.

In terms of skin benefits, though, here are the many nourishing abilities of cactus extract, plus its specific impact on dry, sensitive, and oily skin.

cardon skincare for men made with cactus extract to soothe skin irritation and hydrate dry skin

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The Benefits of Cactus Extract in Skincare

Think first of how the cactus stays alive in such dry, arid, insufferably hot climates. This is also a good time to remind you to hydrate and drink some water.

The cactus is excellent at storing and retaining moisture—which is a quality any grooming brand would want to emulate with its products. When cactus-infused products are applied to the skin, they rely on the vitamins and minerals found within cactus oils and extracts to deliver the same proactive but protective benefits of the ultra-hydrated desert plant.

Check out the following vitamins and minerals found inside the prickly pear cactus. They contribute to its hydrating, toxin-blocking, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging powers when used in skincare:

Vitamin A: An anti-inflammatory that keeps breakouts at bay, and an antioxidant that defends skin against toxins and pollution. Helps brighten complexion and is an excellent hydrator.

Vitamin D: Provides a boost to cellular turnover and metabolism, in turn promoting healthy, clear complexion. Also has antioxidant powers to shield from skin-aging aggressors.

Vitamin E: Cactus delivers Vitamin E in super high doses, which provides skin with heaps of the vitamins’ outstanding skin-nourishing, firming, healing, anti-aging, moisturizing, and toxin-fighting abilities.

Vitamin K: Firms the skin by boosting its collagen production and elasticity.

Electrolytes: Any series of minerals, in this case potassium and magnesium, that preserve the skin’s moisture barrier functions, and in turn boost the efficacy of other nourishing ingredients (like the aforementioned vitamins).

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Cactus extract benefits for dry and sensitive skin

People with dry and sensitive skin are especially prone to irritation, inflammation, and of course, dehydration. It can be hard to find products for delicate skin, since many have underlying, counterproductive effects on these more sensitive skin types.

That’s why cactus extract should be a go-to ingredient for people with dry and sensitive skin: It soothes on contact, promotes high hydration, and boosts defensiveness against outside threats.

The large quantities of Vitamin E in cactus extract provide the biggest benefits to dry and sensitive skin, thanks to the vitamins’ ability to heal, hydrate, and firm skin quickly.

While cactus extract is most obviously used in daytime SPF moisturizers and overnight hydrators, it is an ingredient that can be deployed in various skincare products. As an example, Cardon’s purifying clay cleanser also utilizes cactus extract, as well as every product in its assortment. So, if you have dry or sensitive skin, build an entire regimen around products and ingredients that soothe and nourish skin. Yes, you need moisturizers to do it, but there’s no reason your cleanser, toner, mask, shave cream, and more can’t also work in your favor.

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Cactus benefits for oily skin

Cactus extract benefits all types of skin, given its many soothing, firming, youthful rewards. In oily skin routines, cactus extract provides the skin with rich vitamins and minerals. The core problem that people with oily skin have, however, is sebum accumulation. This buildup can lead to clogged pores, acne, as well as bacterial and fungal threats. Hydrating oily skin can help manage sebum production.

Cactus extract is rich in linoleic acid, which helps break down this accumulation and flush the excess sebum from the pores. In addition to being anti-inflammatory, cactus extract is also antimicrobial, and together that’s a recipe for healthy, unclogged pores, plus a clear, firm complexion. Learn more about caring for oily skin.

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Whether you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, you can still take advantage of the many soothing, hydrating, and healing benefits of cactus extract. So ask yourself, are you a cacti kind of guy?