Description

Defatted Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower consists of the dried and defatted flowers of the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus. This ingredient is used in cosmetics and skincare products for its hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Polysaccharides: Present in the defatted flowers, providing moisturizing and soothing effects.
Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin C and Vitamin E, offering antioxidant protection and supporting skin health.
Flavonoids and Phenolic Compounds: Provide additional antioxidant benefits and help protect the skin from environmental damage.
Fatty Acids: Although defatted, traces of beneficial fatty acids may still be present.
The defatted flowers of Opuntia ficus-indica retain a significant portion of the bioactive compounds found in fresh flowers.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Typically a yellowish or light brown powder or extract.
Odor: Mild, with a floral and slightly herbal scent.
Texture: Powdery or granular, easily dispersible in cosmetic formulations.

Production Process:

The production of Defatted Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower involves:

Harvesting: Collecting the flowers from the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus.
Drying: Drying the flowers to remove moisture.
Defatting: Removing fats from the dried flowers through extraction or other methods.
Powdering: Grinding the defatted flowers into a powder or extract.
Purification: Ensuring the extract is free from impurities and contaminants.
Formulation: Incorporating the extract into cosmetic and skincare products.

Applications:

Cosmetics: Used in serums, masks, and creams for its hydrating, soothing, and antioxidant properties.
Personal Care Products: Added to lotions and treatments to improve skin hydration and health.
Medical: May be included in therapeutic formulations for its nourishing and regenerative properties.
Food: Not commonly used as a food ingredient.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Defatted Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower is generally regarded as safe for topical application. However, like all natural extracts, it should be used according to established guidelines to avoid potential allergic reactions or skin irritations. Individuals with allergies or sensitive skin should exercise caution. It is important to ensure that the extract is sustainably sourced and free from harmful chemicals.

INCI Functions:


Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Skin protectant. It creates a protective barrier on the skin to defend it from harmful substances, irritants, allergens, pathogens that can cause various inflammatory conditions. These products can also improve the natural skin barrier and in most cases more than one is needed to achieve an effective result.
Synonyms:

CAS: CAS 90082-21-6 EC number 290-109-1