NOPALERA Is Bringing This Mexican Beauty Secret to the Masses
January 7 | 4 minute read
Words by Kaylah Joelle Baker
For the founder of the modern Mexican beauty brand NOPALERA, the first thing that comes to mind is nourished, brightened, hydrated skin. It’s true: the prickly pear cactus – also known as the nopal cactus – is the nutrient-dense, skin-calming hero ingredient behind the brand’s soap and lotion bars, exfoliants and creams.
To understand the importance of prickly pear oil and its pad fibres, one must first appreciate the cactus’ deep-rooted connection to Mexican heritage.
“NOPALERA was born out of both necessity and conviction and came during a moment of transition in my life,” Sandra explains. “I was a mother, working full-time, trying to make ends meet in New York. And I kept coming back to the nopal – this symbol of Mexico that represents strength, nourishment and resilience.”
It was the nopal cactus, the brand’s namesake, which became the most intriguing botanical of all. “The nopal cactus is iconic – it's a survivor,” Sandra says. “Prickly pear oil is incredibly rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It hydrates, brightens and protects the skin without feeling heavy.”
With this in mind, Sandra spent many hours and days (or rather, years) mixing formulations, creating moulds and labelling products all from her own kitchen. The end result: vibrant, easy-to-use products, enriched with the power of cactus, fragrance notes of jasmine, citrus, lemongrass, tangerine and hibiscus, and strong ties to Mexico.
What’s her favourite masterpiece, you ask? “For me, the Cactus Flower Exfoliant embodies everything NOPALERA stands for. It’s bold, it’s sensory and it’s rooted in who we are,” she reveals. “The polish is powered by the nopal itself: prickly pear seed oil to nourish and brighten, and cactus fibres to gently exfoliate. It’s a product that transforms your shower into a real ritual.”
Sandra’s continuous boldness has driven NOPALERA’s momentum, fuelling a growing list of accolades. Like when Sandra notably earned a coveted spot in Tower28’s Clean Beauty Summer School – a 10-week development program spotlighting small BIPOC-owned beauty brands – and went on to win its 2022 Pitch Competition, securing a cash grant along with legal and retail support. And again, during her 2023 Shark Tank appearance, when she walked away from the investors’ lower offers – head held high, steadfast in NOPALERA‘s true worth.
It’s this tenacity that has placed NOPALERA on the beauty map. It’s self-care, founded in moments of reflection and calm. It’s simple, natural beauty that doesn’t disrupt or overcomplicate routines. And, as Sandra says, it’s about “something bigger than skincare”.
