Are Carrots the Secret Ingredient to Glowing Skin?

October 9, 2021

Carrot Skincare For Your Glowing Skin Needs

Is it just me or are more skincare brands releasing products highlighting carrot as an ingredient? Maybe carrots aren’t just good for your body but also great for your skin! I decided to look into this to see if it really is the next holy grail ingredient for clear and glowing skin.

What is it?

Carrot extract (also called carrot seed oil) is an essential oil obtained by distilling the seeds of the wild carrot plant. The essential oil is rich in antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, which gives its vibrant orange color. When used topically on the skin, carrot extract has antibacterial and antifungal properties and can be a great alternative to retinol.

You can find it listed in the ingredient list as:

Daucus Carota Sativa
Daucus Carota
Carrot seed oil
Carrot root water
Carrot root extract
Carrot extract
Beta-carotene

By the way, carrot seed oil (essential oil) is different from carrot oil (for cooking), so don’t ingest it!

Carrot Extract Benefits

Protect against free radical damage
Subtly and gradually encourage cell-turnover
Treating post-acne marks and blemishes
Leave skin glowing

Is It Suitable for My Skin Type?

Carrot is excellent for all skin types but can be especially beneficial to those with dull skin and anyone looking for an alternative to retinol.

When should I use it?

Carrot extract is great for use in both your morning and nighttime routines! After using it in your morning routine, remember to follow up with sunscreen as the last step.

What does it pair well with?

It works well with hyaluronic acid, carrier oils like olive oil, and non-retinol exfoliants like AHA, BHA, or PHA. But the real synergistic combination to look for is carrot extract with vitamin E.

Do Not Mix With…

Since carrot extract contains vitamin A, steer away from other products formulated with retinol. Trust me, doubling down on this combo isn’t worth the irritation.

Does it have any side effects?

If you have extremely sensitive skin, there is a possibility of irritation after applying. Otherwise, it’s well-tolerated. There’s nothing like the good ol’ patch testing, for that matter!