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You know carrots are good for you—but what do you know about the benefits of carrot seed oil? Most often used in the form of a topical treatment, carrot seed oil is used for anti-aging, to treat acne, blemishes, eczema, psoriasis, and even block UV rays. But are all the claims about it true? And what is the difference between carrot seed oil and regular carrot oil? Here’s a peek into the purported beauty magic these golden-orange oils—and what to look for if you decide to add them your beauty routine.
Carrot oil vs carrot seed oil
There are a couple of different versions of carrot oil on the market—and it’s worth noting that not all carrot oil is the same. Carrot oil is made from ground carrots soaked in olive, coconut, or other plant oils. It can be called bird’s nest, bishop’s lace, purple carrot, Queen Anne’s lace, pastinocello, or wild carrot oil.
Though carrot oil contains similar antioxidant properties to carrot seed oil, it is considered a “carrier oil.” Carrot seed oil is steam-distilled from the seeds of wild carrot seeds (Daucus carota sativa) and is therefore technically an essential oil.
What is carrot oil used for?
Carrot seed oil is used for a lot of things—you may see it used as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, creams, lotions, and perfumes, or even as a flavoring agent in beverages, condiments, and desserts. Carrot seed oil is also used in aromatherapy.
Carrot oil, on the other hand, is primarily used in cosmetics and especially in sunscreen. Due to its high beta-carotene content, it’s also used as a source of beta-carotene and vitamin A in beauty products, food products, and supplements.
The benefits of carrot seed oil
Carrot seed essential oil—or CSEO, for short—is particularly impressive. It contains beneficial plant compounds, especially caratol and terpenes like α-Pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, and bisabolene, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties and signature scent. “The aroma of this essential oil is mildly sweet with the presence of the earthy and herbaceous hints,” one scientific study notes. “In traditional medicine its tonic properties were used for treatment of digestive complaints. What is more, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of CSEO were very efficient in healing the joint conditions. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of CSEO has also been reported.”
When applied topically, carrot seed oil has been shown to have antifungal properties for plants and skin. Additionally, it has been shown to fight skin bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus as well as food poisoning-causing Listeria monocytogenes. It may also be somewhat effective against E-coli and Salmonella.
Like carrot oil, carrot seed oil may also help block sunlight. It might also help with hyperpigmentation thanks to a compound called umbelliferone (7-hydroxycoumarin) which is known to absorb UVB rays. Additionally, some studies suggest that carrot seed essential oil may be helpful for preventing skin aging.
Carrot seed oil for the skin
As mentioned, carrot seed oil can be used to fight skin aging and may protect the skin from UV damage. The antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties of carrot seed oil may make it an helpful treatment for soothing sensitive skin and skin conditions such as dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, and acne.
Look for beauty products such as face wash, face oil, serums, and dark spot treatments that contain carrot seed oil, or use carrot seed oil with a carrier oil to massage directly into the skin of the face and body for an antioxidant treatment that helps stimulate circulation. In the case of eczema or skin rashes, apply the oil gently to avoid adding extra stress to the epidermis. You can also try adding a bit of carrot seed oil to your shampoo or conditioner to nourish and treat the scalp.
Is carrot seed oil safe for sensitive skin?
Carrot oil can be regarded as a safe, natural remedy when applied to the skin—however, it’s important to note that any essential oil can be irritating to some people. To avoid irritation, mix carrot seed essential oil with a fatty carrier oil before applying—we like coconut oil, almond, or grapeseed oil.