Description

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract is obtained from the callus cultures of the Opuntia ficus-indica cactus, also known as prickly pear or nopal. This extract is utilized in cosmetics and skincare products for its hydrating, regenerative, and antioxidant properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Polysaccharides: Includes mucilages that provide 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.
Amino Acids: Support skin repair and regeneration.
Minerals: Contains magnesium, calcium, and potassium, beneficial for skin nourishment.
Opuntia ficus-indica callus culture extract is known for its high content of bioactive compounds that support skin hydration and overall health.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Typically a green or light brown extract, depending on the cultivation and processing method.
Odor: Mild, with a vegetal and slightly herbal scent.
Texture: Gel-like or liquid, easily absorbed by the skin.

Production Process:

The production of Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract involves:

Cultivation: Cultivating callus tissues derived from the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica in a laboratory setting.
Preparation: Cleaning and processing the callus tissues to extract active components.
Extraction: Using methods such as pressing or solvent extraction to obtain the 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, moisturizers, and masks for its hydrating, regenerative, and antioxidant properties.
Personal Care Products: Added to lotions and treatments to enhance skin hydration and health.
Medical: May be included in therapeutic formulations for its nourishing and regenerative properties.
Food: Rarely used in food products, but may be included in dietary supplements for its nutritional benefits.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Opuntia Ficus-Indica Callus Culture Extract 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:


Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Hair conditioning agent. A significant number of ingredients with specific and targeted purposes may co-exist in hair shampoo formulations: cleansers, conditioners, thickeners, matting agents, sequestering agents, fragrances, preservatives, special additives. However, the indispensable ingredients are the cleansers and conditioners as they are necessary and sufficient for hair cleansing and manageability. The others act as commercial and non-essential auxiliaries such as: appearance, fragrance, colouring, etc. Hair conditioning agents have the task of increasing shine, manageability and volume, and reducing static electricity, especially after treatments such as colouring, ironing, waving, drying and brushing. They are, in practice, dispersants that may contain cationic surfactants, thickeners, emollients, polymers. The typology of hair conditioning agents includes: intensive conditioners, instant conditioners, thickening conditioners, drying conditioners. They can perform their task generally accompanied by other different ingredients.

Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis. The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.
Synonyms:

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