This perfume is the fruit of the bold blend of white wood warmed by the sun, and gourmet, oh so slightly sugary notes. Strong and powerful cedar wood and cinnamon bark are soothed by the subtlety of almond and slightly reserved orange blossom which lifts the ambiance. This elegant creation flourishes in two foaming skincare products which really come into their own in contact with water vapor.

Known as nopal in South America and opuntia in France, the prickly pear produces large yellow and orange flowers in spring or summer. These beautiful blooms with their silky petals will mature into fruits.

When these flowers are dried and infused, they have therapeutic properties. In the Berber tradition, the resulting warm drink is recommended to relieve digestive problems. In other pharmacopoeia, this infusion is used for someone who has caught a chill, or in a poultice on wounds or bruises to help heal them (the flower has hemostatic properties).

In cosmetics, a floral water is obtained from the flower by steam distillation. This process isolates active molecules that are very different from those in the seeds used to make the rare oil. The floral water has a slightly astringent effect on the skin, and hydrates and refreshes.

You'll find this beautiful water in all our Cactéa lotions.

Bitter orange, also known as bigarade orange, is the only tree to have leaves, fruit and flowers at the same time. In Morocco, the flowers are hand-picked when they first blossom at the end of April or start of May. All parts of the plant have medicinal properties but numerous cultures use the water extracted from its flowers, called neroli floral water. It is collected when the essential oil is gently extracted by steam distillation.

This highly-perfumed floral water is renowned for promoting sleep (in Europe, a few drops are often put in hot milk in the evening), adding flavor when cooking (you can spot its smell in numerous patisseries) or even preparing the famous Lebanese white coffee (it is diluted in sweetened hot water to make the most of its digestive properties).

It is used in cosmetics due to its numerous qualities. It is soothing, lightening due to a bioflavonoid it contains, antimicrobial and even capable of boosting cellular cohesion.

Specifically designed to adorn face care products, and in particular to purify the skin, this perfume plays with the elements, with accents which are sometimes earthy, sometimes watery and sometimes even airy. This sensory waltz is orchestrated by fruit. The freshness of melon is savored along with cheery citrus – tangy lemon and up-front bergamot redolent of Earl Grey tea. The ozone note penetrates the creation for an airy, aqueous accord, carrying with it a little of the softness of shy green lily of the valley.

The Cactéa range showcases the benefits of prickly pear oil, and this olfactory creation highlights a very elegant facet of the fresh fruit. Immediately, it reveals a joyful, spontaneous aroma, with a sparkling mint accord and a slightly creamy white jasmine. Then comes the scent of freshly picked prickly pear, bursting with juice, accompanied by a dash of ripe peach. Floral undertones give way to gourmand yet balanced notes of a real fruit. The base is beautifully soothing: a hint of comforting soft musk over a white wood note, much loved by the perfumer. This soft, fresh signature scent is a delight to wear both morning and evening.

There are two types of almond tree: bitter and sweet.

The bitter almond tree can be distinguished by its flowers and larger fruit. This highly nutritional fruit gives us the famous sweet almond oil. Used in cosmetics since ancient times, the softening, emollient and even anti-aging properties of this oil are no secret. We also used the sweet almond fruit in our range as an emollient extract and its powder as a gentle exfoliator.

The argan tree, endemic to south Morocco, plays a key ecological role in protecting the area from desertification and soil erosion. It produces an edible oil when its fruit is roasted, or a cosmetic plant oil if it is extracted by first cold pressing. Argan oil benefits from a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) guarantee label which confirms its origin. In order to preserve its main active ingredients and pleasant taste, it must not be exposed to heat.

The economic sector for this oil is set apart by the fact that it involves women, who are often in a precarious situation. They harvest the argan, then produce this oil for small communities.

It is appreciated in cosmetics for its unique components, in particular omega 6 and 9, vitamin E and squalene. Its polyunsaturated fatty acids give it anti-aging and antioxidant properties which Berber women had intuitively known for centuries. Argan oil rebuilds the cutaneous barrier, limits skin water loss and increases collagen synthesis.

We also appreciate the shell of the stone – a residue from the manufacture of the oil – which, when dried and reduced to a powder, becomes an effective natural exfoliator.

White clay is sometimes called kaolin, named after the Chinese city Kao-Ling where it was discovered. It is one of the main ingredients used in natural beauty products, naturopathy and for treating animals. It is quite common for clay plaster to be used to dress a lame horse.

White clay, which can also be harvested in France (the clay we particularly appreciate), is naturally rich in metals and due to its structure has a high absorption capacity. Its efficacy means it is often used in purifying products to capture sebum and impurities.

Rosa canina is the wild rose that bears an accessory fruit: rose hip. Extremely rich in vitamin C, this fruit is highly sought-after in winter to protect against colds and, more generally, strengthen the body.

In our range, we use the antioxidant and antibacterial extract obtained from its beautiful flowers.

This annual plant produces small flowers from May to July. These flowers give way to small fruits, which contain the seeds from which the oil is extracted.

Despite being a melliferous plant (it attracts bees), camelina was not used very much after the Middle Ages. It wasn't until the 19th century that it began to be cultivated in the north of France, where its straw was used for roofs, and its oil in food. Then it was forgotten about… At the end of the 20th century, the plant became popular once more and was recognized as a functional food, i.e., one that can have both health and wellness benefits.

The oil is exceedingly rich in omega fatty acids that are often used in the beauty industry: omega 3 for its soothing properties and to improve elasticity; omega 6 to help prevent moisture loss in the skin; and omega 9 to nourish and protect.

Cactéa has combined this oil with prickly pear seed oil so that specific omega fatty acids can work together in synergy.

Prickly pear oil is the rarest and most expensive oil in the world. Not surprisingly, it is extremely difficult to produce. The fruits must be harvested by hand, and are covered with tiny thorns that can be very painful if they penetrate the skin. Then you have to remove the few seeds there are from the pulp, clean them, dry them and press them. The yield is very low: it takes 800 kilos of fresh fruits to produce one litre of oil.

For thousands of years, people have believed in this oil's beauty benefits, which have now been scientifically proven. It acts like a botanical shield against skin ageing. It provides anti-free radical tocopherols and many essential fatty acids (particularly omega 6, which helps to prevent moisture loss, and omega 9, which nourishes and protects), as well as soothing sterols. It's been proven that it restructures collagen fibres, which are essential for keeping skin in good condition.

Prickly pear oil also has a unique, very subtle scent.

Cactéa harnesses the power of this incredible oil in innovative formulas. Used in very high doses (10 to 13%), it's combined with different sources of omega fatty acids to provide skin with a complete range of nourishing ingredients.

Originally from Persia, the pomegranate has been the subject of many legends, both religious and mythological. (For example, there's the story of Persephone eating pomegranate seeds, which gave rise to the seasons. It's also the fruit of Aphrodite.)

In ancient Egypt and Greece, pomegranate juice was believed to cleanse the intestines – a property that has now been demonstrated. Very rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and polyphenols, the fresh fruit is recommended in traditional medicine for the treatment of coughs and fever.

Pomegranate seed oil also has a rich composition, with a high content of omega 5 (punicic acid, which is found only in this oil), Vitamins E and F, and omega 6 fatty acids. These molecules give it antioxidant, nourishing, softening and soothing properties – perfect for keeping skin beautiful.

This tree, which has been grown for hundreds of years, is now found in all arid and semi-arid hot areas around the globe. Dates are one of the four fruits (along with the jujube fruit, Corinth raisins and figs) used in remedies for chest infections. Highly nutritional, this fruit is now recommended for athletes and convalescents. Its exceptionally sugary, high-carb fruit is delicious: date honey is still made today, while medieval drinks used its stone for seasoning. Dates also contains minerals, amino acids, vitamin C and retinol.

Date extract naturally remineralizes; the oil extracted from the stone is rich in omega 6 and 9 which help soften the skin while limiting water loss.

We also use desert date oil which does not come from the same tree. This other active ingredient is rich in unsaturated fatty acids (omega 6 and 9) which have softening and emollient properties, phytosterols which play a role in the cohesion of the hydrolipid film and antioxidant vitamin E.

Its name is a testimony to where it grows best. In Latin “rosa centifolia”, it reflects the impression it gives of having one hundred petals (or one hundred leaves). Also known as rose de mai or Provence rose, its bright pink color is gradated and it exudes a light, delicate scent.

It is gentle on the skin allowing it to be used in cosmetics. In both the East and West, it is often used to remove make-up. In Morocco, it is used to dilute rhassoul – a type of clay – to make skin and hair masks.

The ingredients it provides (essential oil, extract, floral water) remain expensive because it only flowers once a year.

This cactus has several different names, depending on the continent (nopal in South America, opuntia in France etc.). While it is well-known for its edible fruit, it is particularly renowned for the oil extracted from its seeds. For years, it was considered an invasive species, but today it helps to combat the desertification of certain arid zones. The entire plant has medicinal properties: its stems serve as food for wildlife or are using in cooking in Mexico; its flowers and fruit are bursting with vitamin C.

This cactus grows freely in Morocco, but very few plant oils require the same precise techniques and extreme patience or just quite as much fresh fruit to produce. The oil is extracted by crushing the seeds and is collected drop by drop.

Considered one of the most expensive oils in the world due to its very low yield, this product is appreciated mainly for its incredible antioxidant properties and rich composition. Obtained by cold pressing, naturally protected by the vitamin E it contains, this extremely pure oil provides the skin with intact, powerful active ingredients. Lauded for its anti-aging virtues for hundreds of years, these qualities are now scientifically proven due to the presence of several types of tocopherols which combat free radicals, and multiple essential fatty acids (omega 6 and 9) with protective, nourishing and regenerating properties.

Cactus blossoms as well as its fruits pulp also give waters and virtuous extracts (its flower is refreshing,…). This plant’s fruits can for instance be transformed into oily macerates highly appreciated for their smoothness.

Rich in vitamin E and omega 3, 6 and 9, wheat germ oil is known for its antioxidant, nourishing, emollient properties. It protects the skin from UV rays, helps with healing and prevents the signs of skin aging.

People have been using honey since the dawn of time, and it has always had a special character and status. Olympians drink ambrosia – a mixture of milk and honey. Since ancient times, Romans, Greeks and Egyptians have been eating honey and using it to treat wounds and burns and make the skin more beautiful. We have always been aware of its regenerating and antiseptic properties, but they are now also scientifically recognized.

It can be used pure or as an extract in cosmetics to make the most of its numerous detoxifying, softening and regenerating properties and the vitamins, minerals and amino acids it contains.

Rhassoul is a type of clay collected in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, where the soil is not fertile but dry. Rhassoul requires limited intervention; it is simply dried in the sun and sometimes reduced to a fine powder to facilitate use.

In pharmaceutics and cosmetics, it is frequently used to neutralize substances or purify an environment, for example water.

It is different from other clays due to its ability to absorb large amounts of water (1.66 times its weight), becoming a liquid paste. Ancestral Moroccan rituals have been using it for many years for its cleansing properties.

Rhassoul is often combined with a floral water or argan oil to create a 100% natural mask.  Applied to the skin or hair, it captures sebum and impurities, acting like a natural mineral soap.

Frankincense is the gum resin secreted by a small shrub which grows in semi-arid regions of Arabia. An incision is made in the trunk to allow the strongly-scented and rubbery oleoresin to ooze out. We use the resin “tears” when they are harvested pure as they are exuded by the tree, or resin “chestnuts” when it falls to the ground.  Pale yellow or reddish yellow in color, it gives of an aromatic scent with turpentine accords. Frankincense burns quickly, giving off a strong aroma which is spiritual by nature.

In traditional medicine, it is used in fumigation to treat respiratory infections due to its high essential oil content (3 to 9%).

Its essential oil is appreciated in cosmetics for its regenerating and anti-irritation properties.

This fabulously floral creation was designed for the face, while drawing on flowers with a real physical presence. A rose in the morning, still coated with dew droplets, takes to the stage with violet and its sugary sweetness. A conversation starts gently, while lilac, with its surprisingly balsamic, floral and spicy personality, makes its appearance. The ylang base note reveals itself with a slight jasmine vibe – but more transparent – and delicious spicy facets. All the ingredients necessary for an unforgettable floral accord!

This fragrance was originally created to enhance the orange blossom scent in a skincare product. It captures the essence of orange blossom while giving it an energizing twist through original olfactory combinations. The top note reveals a trio of citrus fruits: bergamot for its zesty joie de vivre, warm and heady neroli, and sparkling petitgrain. Then orange blossom, with its subtle, soothing bitterness, ylang-ylang for a touch of white flowers, and a hint of velvety rose, come together in a beautiful harmony. These notes give way to a soft woody base, with clean musk, warm and comforting orange tree wood, and smooth, sensual sandalwood. This new take on a citrus fruit flower is a fragrance you'll never tire of…

This note is the fruit of a spicy composition, pushed to the extreme so you can really feel its strength… but subtle nonetheless. Benzoin, a real tree resin, preserves the soft, milky nuances. It settles on a calm, enveloping musk and warm, sensual and slightly powdery amber. The ensemble is structured by a sweet cinnamon base note and myrrh which might remind you of frankincense. This resin adopts an aromatic vibe, similar to moss. The creation becomes unforgettable, like our body care products which have adopted it.

This creation flatters flowers, in particular jasmine, more mysterious than ever… We discover it as a head note, very present in the heart of the composition where this floral-fruity scent develops enchanting facets. It couples up with sensual amber, then peony which calms the ambiance with its light, airy personality, almost like lily of the valley. Lily gradually imposes itself as an ultra-soft base note.

Truly suited to haircare products, this note evokes purity and should flutter through the hair without weighing it down. Moroccan authenticity is rewritten in a very powdery note: sandalwood with suave, milky tones combined with amber and its powdery, warm oriental vibe. Resinous cedar wood is soothed by a velvety leather touch. Earthy, almost humid patchouli always perfectly complements cedar wood and sandalwood for a very pleasant final accord.

The name says it all, just like the note! It’s impossible not to be transported by this gourmet, powerful and velvety garden rose. It lounges on a powdery, barely waxy violet, and a praline which sweetens up the composition with gourmet, lightly caramelized, oh so dulcet flavors. Mysterious sandalwood and subtle neroli base notes serve as the foundation. This perfume might remind you of summer fruits, but the indulgence and sweetness of the rose are the real conductors of this extraordinary composition. You’ll love it in your body care products, where the notes bounce perfectly of the skin.

This creation transports us to the heart of a real forest. Candid, warm, bold, extremely addictive. Resinous wood like cedar and balsamic wood like eucalyptus rub shoulders with spicy notes. Cinnamon adopts vanilla accords by playing with these woods and a hint of rosewater, while nutmeg develops warm, peppery facets. This highly-fragranced perfume is deliciously original and enveloping. We enjoy using it in our 100% oil body products.

Discover almond, spiced up by original associations to reveal its most mysterious facets. Always sweet, almost silky, musk just feels clean and forms a harmonious couple with almond, bringing out its woody aspects. Violet is like a gentle, powdery breeze; it is boosted by hawthorn, floral and sensationally sweet. This perfume unveils itself in the hair and is used in some of our hair products.