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Ingredient · INCI reference

Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract

Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract is an extract of cochineal cactus (prickly pear) fruit used as a skin-conditioning botanical ingredient in cosmetics.

What it is

Opuntia Coccinellifera Fruit Extract is obtained from the fruit of a cactus in the Opuntia genus, the same group as prickly pear. The fruit yields a water-rich, sugar- and mucilage-containing extract used to condition and soften the skin. In sunscreens it is most often seen in Korean formulas as a supporting botanical.

Safety & warnings

This fruit extract is generally well tolerated and is not a recognized fragrance allergen. As with any botanical, sensitivity is possible but uncommon; it is used at low levels in the water phase and is not comedogenic.

Origin & sourcing

Natural; extracted from the fruit of Opuntia coccinellifera (cochineal cactus / prickly pear).

Questions everyone asks

What is cochineal cactus fruit extract?

It is an extract from prickly pear cactus fruit, used as a conditioning, softening botanical in skincare.

Does it contain cochineal dye?

No. The name refers to the cactus species; the extract is from the fruit and is unrelated to the cochineal insect colorant.

Sources & references

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