Prickly Pear Seed Oil for the Face: Sabr in an Evening Ritual
Drive through the Levantine countryside in late summer and you will often see the prickly pear: hedges of flat green pads around villages and fields, heavy with orange and magenta fruit. In Arabic it is called sabr. Inside each fruit are many tiny seeds, and from them comes a light, precious face oil.
What is prickly pear seed oil?
Prickly pear seed oil is pressed from the seeds of the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica). The plant first came from the Americas, but it has long been part of the landscape of the Levant and North Africa. Each fruit holds only a little oil, so a great deal of fruit goes into every bottle.
FAYNAN Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil is a single ingredient, with nothing added. It is light and silky, and skin feels soft and supple, with a healthy-looking glow.
How to use it in the evening
- Cleanse: begin with clean, dry skin.
- Warm: place two or three drops on your fingertips.
- Press: press gently over cheeks, forehead, chin and neck, avoiding the eye area.
- Rest: give it a few minutes to settle before bed.
Pressing, rather than rubbing, spreads the oil evenly with very little product. For the full ritual, read An Evening Face Oil Ritual.
In the morning
A single drop can sit under your usual routine. It is not a sunscreen, so continue to use sun protection as normal.
How it compares with other face oils
| Oil | Feel | Best moment |
|---|---|---|
| Prickly Pear Seed | Light, silky | Evening |
| Pomegranate Seed | Richer | Evening, and the body |
| Jojoba | Very light, liquid wax | Morning or evening |
| Grapeseed | Light, fine | Morning, and blends |
There is no single right answer. You can alternate prickly pear and pomegranate in the evening, and keep jojoba or grapeseed for the morning.
A few things to keep in mind
- Test on a small area of skin before first use.
- Keep away from the eyes.
- Stop using any product if irritation occurs.
- Store tightly closed, away from heat and direct light.
Not sure which oil suits you? Read How to Choose a Face Oil, or browse every single face oil in the Skin collection.