Cactus Enzyme: how a prickly desert plant might be your skin’s new bff
If the thought of using cactus on your skin makes you cringe with anticipation then I’m about to totally blow your mind because these desert loving plants have superpowers that we mere mortals can only dream of having; and while they may look tough and scary on the outside… these prickly players are actually gentle, soothing, softies on the inside.
So, what is this superpower I speak of, and what has this got to do with our skin? Well, let me start by stating this fact: In Australia, 80% of adults suffer from chronic dehydration, drinking on average just 1.29ml per day, well below the recommended 2.5ml for males and 2.0ml for females. When you ‘feel’ thirsty… it’s already too late… you are dehydrated. In fact, studies have shown that just a 1% drop in total body water content can significantly affect both our physical and emotional abilities, with the most surprising finding being that mild dehydration will lead to 114% more likelihood of you making an error similar to when drinking low levels of alcohol.
And here is another fact: our skin’s number one worst enemy is…. ta dah… dehydration! Fine lines, crappy skin, dull skin tone, even blemishes and break outs are all part and parcel of a compromised Acid Mantel (our skin’s protective barrier) which when lacking the necessary hydration it needs to properly function sets off a domino effect of complications within the skin.
Now, if you suddenly have an urge to drink a glass of water… I don’t blame you. I’ve been knocking back a few myself as I write this blog BUT… if you are dehydrated (and there is an 80% chance you are)... then that water you are about to drink won’t necessarily do a thing to help your skin. That’s because our body will triage the fluids you consume to ensure your vital organs such as your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and brain get their fair share first. Those fluids need to travel from your stomach and intestines through the entire body, getting absorbed by every little vein, artery, cell and membrane along the way before it even gets to your skin! Did you know dehydration causes headache because your brain shrinks and pulls away from the skull, causing pain… eek!
OK… back to the cactus. Cactus can live up to 200 years in hot, desert climates surviving on little to no water for up to 2 years. Their superpower is the ability to efficiently harvest and store water for long periods of time. Underneath its spiky interior, the cactus is full of a juicy gel made up of proteins and polysaccharides that bind and preserve water molecules. The cactus’s thick, almost impenetrable skin allows it to reservoir all the electrolytes, antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids, vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. Lucky for us (maybe not so lucky for the cactus)... our skin will also thrive when given the very same.
A new advanced skin treatment created by the experts at Australian Skin Institute works to infuse the skin with a hydrolyzed extract of the Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower, better know as the prickly pear cactus. Rich in these essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, the treatment works to repair and maintain the skin’s lipid barrier while locking in moisture and hydration giving the skin an instant and youthful glow.
The ‘Glow Up’ Facial, available at selected Believe in Beautiful clinics across Brisbane, uses a Niacinamide skin prep to lift away surface oil and dead skin build-up together with micro needling technology to create tiny punctures in the skin. These tiny punctures create the perfect slip lane for the Cactus-zyme mask to works its magic.
Loaded with Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that prematurely age the skin, promotes cellular regeneration and reduces hyperpigmentation, the Cactus-zyme mask also contains Vitamin K to stimulate cell growth and colloidal silver which triggers healing, and has bacteria fighting, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
So, what is this superpower I speak of, and what has this got to do with our skin? Well, let me start by stating this fact: In Australia, 80% of adults suffer from chronic dehydration, drinking on average just 1.29ml per day, well below the recommended 2.5ml for males and 2.0ml for females. When you ‘feel’ thirsty… it’s already too late… you are dehydrated. In fact, studies have shown that just a 1% drop in total body water content can significantly affect both our physical and emotional abilities, with the most surprising finding being that mild dehydration will lead to 114% more likelihood of you making an error similar to when drinking low levels of alcohol.
And here is another fact: our skin’s number one worst enemy is…. ta dah… dehydration! Fine lines, crappy skin, dull skin tone, even blemishes and break outs are all part and parcel of a compromised Acid Mantel (our skin’s protective barrier) which when lacking the necessary hydration it needs to properly function sets off a domino effect of complications within the skin.
Now, if you suddenly have an urge to drink a glass of water… I don’t blame you. I’ve been knocking back a few myself as I write this blog BUT… if you are dehydrated (and there is an 80% chance you are)... then that water you are about to drink won’t necessarily do a thing to help your skin. That’s because our body will triage the fluids you consume to ensure your vital organs such as your heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and brain get their fair share first. Those fluids need to travel from your stomach and intestines through the entire body, getting absorbed by every little vein, artery, cell and membrane along the way before it even gets to your skin! Did you know dehydration causes headache because your brain shrinks and pulls away from the skull, causing pain… eek!
OK… back to the cactus. Cactus can live up to 200 years in hot, desert climates surviving on little to no water for up to 2 years. Their superpower is the ability to efficiently harvest and store water for long periods of time. Underneath its spiky interior, the cactus is full of a juicy gel made up of proteins and polysaccharides that bind and preserve water molecules. The cactus’s thick, almost impenetrable skin allows it to reservoir all the electrolytes, antioxidants, Essential Fatty Acids, vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. Lucky for us (maybe not so lucky for the cactus)... our skin will also thrive when given the very same.
A new advanced skin treatment created by the experts at Australian Skin Institute works to infuse the skin with a hydrolyzed extract of the Opuntia Ficus-Indica Flower, better know as the prickly pear cactus. Rich in these essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, the treatment works to repair and maintain the skin’s lipid barrier while locking in moisture and hydration giving the skin an instant and youthful glow.
The ‘Glow Up’ Facial, available at selected Believe in Beautiful clinics across Brisbane, uses a Niacinamide skin prep to lift away surface oil and dead skin build-up together with micro needling technology to create tiny punctures in the skin. These tiny punctures create the perfect slip lane for the Cactus-zyme mask to works its magic.
Loaded with Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that prematurely age the skin, promotes cellular regeneration and reduces hyperpigmentation, the Cactus-zyme mask also contains Vitamin K to stimulate cell growth and colloidal silver which triggers healing, and has bacteria fighting, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
