PRAISE THE CACTUS

That a cactus survives so long in a harsh and barren landscape is a testament to its ability to hold on to moisture. It’s why Weleda’s new Hydrating Facial Care range – which includes 24h Hydrating Facial Cream, Hydrating Eye Gel and Hydrating Facial Mist – contains prickly pear cactus, sustainably grown in Mexico. The cactus stores that moisture in the cladode, the flat, paddle-like ‘leaves’ arising from the stem. Within these cladodes is the mucilage – a juicy, watery tissue made up primarily of polysaccharides, large sugar molecules that bind water to keep skin hydrated. One well-known conventional polysaccharide is hyaluronic acid, which is an ingredient used to maintain skin moisture. Hyaluronic acid forms a linear polysaccharide, while the prickly pear cactus features a polysaccharide with a random coil structure. This creates a web that stores water more efficiently, making the skincare collection exceptional at helping your skin stay plump, moist and healthy. The Weleda range also includes hydrating heroes aloe vera juice and cucumber and a number of other plant oils to soothe, nourish and protect.