SKIN CARE 25 Opuntia Biocomplex SH 2% ■ Placebo ■ Control ■ 1.1
1.05 1
0.95 0.9
0 30 90
Figure 3: TEWL measurements on skin treated with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes extract (2% w/w) vs. placebo and untreated control at 0, 30 and 90 minutes
epidermidis, a commensal bacterium associated with healthy skin barrier function.9,10
After 24
hours, the extract at 3% increased S. epidermidis viability almost 100 times more than the positive control, confirming its potential as a microbiome- friendly cosmetic active capable of selectively promoting beneficial bacteria (Figure 5). A prebiotic activity comparable to that of
glucose was also observed on L. pentosus, while a bacteriostatic effect was recorded against S. aureus and C. acnes (data not shown), two bacterial strains associated with skin inflammatory conditions such as acne and dermatitis,11
1.01 1
0.99 0.98 0.97 0.96 0.95 0.94
0 30 90
Figure 4: Erythema index measurements on skin treated with Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes extract (2% w/w) formula vs. placebo, and untreated control at 0, 30 and 90 minutes
protection against surfactant-based cleansing, and a microbiome-friendly profile to support a balanced cutaneous microbiota. Sustainably sourced and clinically proven,
Opuntia Biocomplex SH represents a versatile ingredient for next generation of skin care formulations, from daily moisturisers to mild cleansing products.
Structural features of pectic polysaccharides from the skin of Opuntia ficus-indica prickly pear fruits. Carbohydr Res. 2004;339(6):1119-27.
6. Bayar N, Kriaa M, Kammoun R. Extraction and characterization of three polysaccharides extracted from Opuntia ficus indica cladodes. Int J Biol Macromol. 2016;92:441-50
PCM
References 1. Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. The skin: an indispensable barrier. Exp Dermatol. 2008;17(12):1063-72
further supporting the ability of the
active ingredient to selectively modulate the skin microbiome.
Conclusion The search for sustainable, naturally-derived and clinically proven ingredients capable of providing barrier protection and moisturization across different formula types, represents one of the key challenges in modern cosmetic formulations. Taken together, the presented results
demonstrate that Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes extract rises to this challenge, showing a significant and lasting improvement in skin moisturization in leave-on applications, an effective barrier
A 10 8 6 LOG 10 CFU/mL
PC 8.15
TI 2% 8.93
TI 2.5% 9.3
TI 3% 9.87
5.0000 4.5000 4.0000 3.5000 3.0000 2.5000 2.0000 1.5000 1.0000 0.5000 0.0000
2 4 6 Time points (hours)
Figure 5: (A) Bacterial viable count of S. epidermidis at 24h at three concentrations ofOpuntia ficus-indica cladodes extract (TI 2%, TI 2.5%, TI 3%) compared to the prebiotic positive control (PC). (B) Bacterial growth of S. epidermidis over 24 hours in the presence of the Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes extract at three concentrations (P1 = 2%; P2 = 2.5%; P3 = 3%), compared to a prebiotic positive control (PC) and a negative control (NC)
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2. Aragona M, Lauriano ER, Pergolizzi S, Faggio C. Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller as a source of bioactivity compounds for health and nutrition. Nat Prod Res. 2018;32(17):2037-49
3. Trombetta D, Puglia C, Perri D, Licata A, Pergolizzi S, Lauriano ER, et al. Effect of polysaccharides from Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) cladodes on the healing of dermal wounds in the rat. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(5):352-8
4. ENEA. Valorizzazione di risorse biologiche da Opuntia ficus indica. Prodotti innovativi bio-based da Opuntia ficus indica. Workshop Bilaterale Italia-Messico; 2017 Sep 20; Roma, Italy. Roma: ENEA; 2017
5. Habibi Y, Heyraud A, Mahrouz M, Vignon MR. B
7. Byrd AL, Belkaid Y, Segre JA. The human skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2018;16(3): 143-55
8. Grice EA, Segre JA. The skin microbiome. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2011;9(4):244-53
9. Zheng Y, Hunt RL, Villaruz AE, Fisher EL, Liu R, Liu Q, et al. Commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis contributes to skin barrier homeostasis by generating protective ceramides. Cell Host Microbe. 2022;30(3): 301-13
10. Ochlich D, Rademacher F, Drerup KA, Gläser R, Harder J. The influence of the commensal skin bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis on the epidermal barrier and inflammation: implications for atopic dermatitis. Exp Dermatol. 2023;32(4):555-61
11. Santos M, Teixeira C, Gomes P, Coutinho P. A review of skin microbiome and new challenges to cosmetic microbiome-friendly formulations. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2026 Jan 12
PC ■ NC ■ P1 ■ P2 ■ P3 ■ Opuntia Biocomplex SH 2% ■ Placebo ■ Control ■
LOG 10 CFU/mL
OD value
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