Cactéa - Nectar d’Huiles Précieuses

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.

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.