Health Benefits of Carrots
Shannon R.,SELF magazine
Happy Easter! We all know that carrots are a favorite snack of the Easter Bunny but did you know that carrots may be good for your skin, too? Carrots (or more specifically carrot seed oil) may have some benefits when added to your favorite skin care products, so let's take a closer look at this vitamin-packed veggie!
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What is carrot seed oil?
Steam distillation is used to collect the oil from the seeds and the root of the carrot. The chemical composition of the oil contains lots of ingredients including vitamins (A and D), carotenes and flavonoids.
What are the possible skin care benefits of carrot seed oil?
Moisture - This is an oil so it would be considered an emollient, which means it provides moisture. Because of its particular composition, it's lighter than other oils with different chemical compositions. This makes it nice for skin care products since it's not too greasy.
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Anti-Aging - Beta-Carotene (carrot's superstar ingredient) is considered an antioxidant which means it protects against free radicals. It has been suggested that carrot oil can protect against the signs of aging.
Sun Protection - There have been some studies done suggesting that carotenes (ingredient in carrots) can provide some sun protection when ingested. However, there is not enough evidence at this time to suggest that carrot seed oil provides any sun protection when applied topically. You still need your sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher)!
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Anti-Acne - It has been suggested that carrot seed oil can detoxify your skin of the impurities that result in acne.
Are there any downsides to carrot seed oil?
I haven't seen anything to suggest a downside to using this ingredient in cosmetics. However, it is important to know that most of the above claims need more research to validate them. The majority of the studies done up to this point involve people actually eating carrots (or Beta-Carotene) and then theorizing what the benefits could be when applied to skin. The reality is, more research needs to be done to understand the benefits (if any) of using carrot seed oil (and other food-derived ingredients) when applied topically. There continues to be more and more research in this area and it's exciting to see what the future holds!
Bottom Line
Carrot seed oil is a good moisturizer and potentially could provide other skin care benefits. However, at this point, more research really needs to be done to fully understand the power of carrot seed oil. So, while there is no real downside to carrots in your skin care products, you'll still get the most health benefits from eating these healthy treats!
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