12 Ways Carrot Can Benefit Your Skin

12 Ways Carrot Can Benefit Your Skin

Have you ever wondered if adding a single ingredient to your routine could reverse years of skin damage? We are talking about carrot and its amazing skin rejuvenating properties.

This hero ingredient is now extensively used in skin care products for its anti-aging, moisturizing, antioxidant and sun-protecting abilities.

Read on to know the various benefits of carrot for your skin and how to use it according to your skin type.

Our Ayurvedic Doctor Speaks

“Grunjana - Carrot balances Rakta pitta, Kapha and Vata. For skin this means, it balances inflammation, heals dry skin, clears clogged pores and promotes radiance.”

Dr. Zeel Gandhi (Bachelor Of Ayurveda, Medicine & Surgery), Chief Ayurvedic Doctor, Vedix

Ayurvedic Perspective Of Carrot

Carrot, scientifically referred to as Daucus carota is a root vegetable with miraculous therapeutic potential. It is one of the main dietary sources of the pro-vitamin, beta-carotene. It also contains vitamins B and C, and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium and others.

Phytochemicals such as flavones, polyphenols [1] and polyacetylenes in carrots are responsible for their powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and wound healing properties thus making it a common ingredient in various Ayurvedic medicines and skincare products.

Carrots when consumed or applied topically, balance the Vata and Kapha doshas and are thus good for treating Kushtha rogas (skin diseases) related to Vata-Kapha aggravations. Carrots are also used to treat piles, high blood-pressure, liver conditions, nourish weak cardiac muscles, improve digestion and holistically enhance body immunity.

As per Dr. Zeel Gandhi, Chief Ayurvedic Doctor at Vedix, “Grunjana - Carrot balances Rakta pitta, Kapha and Vata. For skin this means, it balances inflammation, heals dry skin, clears clogged pores and promotes radiance.”

Benefits Of Carrot For Skin

1. Improves Skin Glow

Carrots are rich in carotenoids, mainly β-carotene and lycopene which display powerful antioxidant properties and are also responsible for the bright red and orange hues. These fight skin damage, reduce dark spots and holistically improve your skin health. Both consumption and topical application of carrot juice can help prevent dullness and enhance your skin glow.

A research on The Secret To Glowing (Yellow) Skin conducted in Scotland proved that people who included carotenoid-rich foods in their diet, such as carrots, noticed an improvement in their appearance. Their skin glowed and had a rosy-tint at the end of six weeks.

2. Prevents Wrinkles

wrinkles face before and after

Oxidative stress is probably one of the major reasons that causes premature skin aging. A rise in free radicals in your body can be the effect of psychological stress [2], sun exposure, pollution, unhealthy diet and lifestyle.

Carrots are a great source of natural antioxidants such as alpha and beta-carotene, anthocyanins and lycopene that help scavenge reactive oxygen species and prevent cell death and skin damage.

Also skin beneficial vitamins such as vitamins A, B and apigenin [3] (flavone) present in carrots stimulate collagen production thus visibly reducing wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of aging.

3. Nourishes Dry Skin

Transepidermal moisture loss owing to a Vata dosha aggravation is one of the major causes of dry skin. Carrot is composed of about 88% water [4]. Applying carrot juice or oil on your skin balances the Vata dosha and replenishes lost moisture thus preventing dryness.

Further the presence of carotene which is a precursor of vitamin A, helps rebuild the epidermal barrier and heal dry skin conditions.

4. Treats Skin Blemishes

Frequent sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations and inflammatory conditions can cause an overproduction of the melanin pigment resulting in dark spots and blemishes on your skin. Carrot is cherished for its high content of phenolic compounds, mainly chlorogenic acid.

According to a research on the effect of chlorogenic acid on melanogenesis of B16 melanoma cells, it was revealed that chlorogenic acid inhibited tyrosinase activity and effectively suppressed melanin production.

5. Improves Skin Permeability Barrier Function

Corneocytes and stratum corneum lipids that form the epidermal barrier help maintain homeostasis and prevent the invasion of harmful microorganisms. However, age and environmental factors can lead to its depletion making your skin more vulnerable to infections.

Topical application of apigenin [5], a natural flavone present in carrots, improves permeability barrier function of your skin. It stimulates differentiation of epidermal cells, lipid production and generation of cutaneous antimicrobial peptides thus overall improving your skin health.

6. Increases Sun-Resistance

When you consume or apply carrots, carotenoids, a type of antioxidants present in it, accumulate in the upper epidermal layer of your skin. This protects your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.

Carotenoids [6] reduce your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays and prevent various conditions such as photodermatoses and UV ray-induced erythema. They also help absorb the sun’s rays and prevent the rise of free radicals that lead to skin damage and early aging.

7. Treats Oily Skin And Acne Problems

Vitamin A [7] is a common treatment prescribed to patients with excessive oily skin and mild to moderate acne conditions. This is because vitamin A regulates excess sebum production by reducing sebaceous gland secretions.

Along with reducing excess oil it also treats hyperkeratinization and therefore prevents excess sebum and dead cells from clogging your pores. Its anti-inflammatory effects control and treat inflamed acne lesions and also prevent bacterial proliferation in your skin pores. Further, the presence of organic acids such as tartaric acid [8], act as natural exfoliators and prevent acne.

8. Boosts Skin Immunity

woman drinking orange juice

Carrots contain all three vital vitamins- A, B and C, that are known to boost skin immunity. While vitamin A aids cell renewal, collagen synthesis and skin repair, vitamin B helps treat inflammation, redness and uneven skin tone. Vitamin C fortifies your skin against free radical damage and prevents infections and hyperpigmentation.

9. Prevents Skin Cancer

It has been proven through various studies that consumption of carotenoid-rich food, especially beta-carotene, can lower the risk of a wide variety of cancers. Both beta carotene [9] and alpha carotene have the ability to regulate cell growth and initiate self-destruction of abnormal cells.

Apart from carotene, carrots are also rich in flavones such as apigenin, phenolic acids and polyacetylenes, all of which exhibit anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent the occurrence of a cancer-promoting environment in the body.

Research states that vitamin A rich foods, such as carrots, can lower the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by almost 17 percent.

10. Detoxifies Your Skin

Carrot and its oil can detoxify your skin both internally and externally. Consumption of carrots improves liver health and ensures better absorption of nutrients which in turn reflects on your skin health. Carrot is mildly diuretic in nature and helps to cleanse the intestines thus aiding in the removal of harmful toxins from your body. It also contains certain alkaline elements that purify your blood and prevent various skin conditions.

11. Prevents Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is an inflammatory condition that causes a red, itchy, scaly rash in different parts of the body. Luteolin [10], a type of flavone and phenolic acids along with beta-carotene present in carrots are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can help treat inflammatory conditions of the skin.

12. Aids Wound Healing

Vitamin A, one of the main nutrients in carrots, plays a vital role in wound healing [11]. It stimulates cell turnover and accelerates re-epithelialization. It promotes collagen synthesis and proliferation of fibroblasts thus restoring the epithelial structure.

Carrot seed oil is often added to sunscreens for its sun-protecting abilities. It contains a phytochemical known as 7-hydroxycoumarin that absorbs UV rays of the sun and prevents sun damage and tanning.

How To Use Carrots For Various Skin Issues?

A. Carrot Juice/Carrot Extract For Skin

1. For anti-aging benefits, mix 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed carrot juice with 1 ½ tablespoons of pomegranate seed paste and 1 tablespoon of wheat germ powder. Adjust the consistency of the pack by adding a sufficient amount of soy milk to it. Mix well and apply on your face and neck and leave it on for 40 minutes to 1 hour. Wash off and repeat it 2-3 times a week for best results.

2. For glowing skin, mix 2 tablespoons of concentrated carrot juice or 6-8 drops of carrot extract with 1 tablespoon of orange peel powder and 1 tablespoon of milk cream. Mix well and apply on your face and wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes.

3. For skin whitening, add 2 tablespoons of cold-pressed carrot juice to 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder and ½ tablespoon of yashtimadhu powder. To this add ½ tablespoon of aloe vera gel. Mix well and apply on your face and hands. Wash off after 30 to 40 minutes.

B. Raw Carrot For Skin

woman making cosmetic pack from carrot

1. For excessive oily and acne prone skin, take 1-2 tablespoons of fresh carrot paste. Add 2-3 drops of tea tree oil, ½ tablespoon each of turmeric and neem powders to it. Adjust consistency with 1-2 tablespoons of jojoba or safflower oil. Mix well and apply on your face. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

2. For skin detoxification, add 1 tablespoon of carrot paste to 2 tablespoons of freshly brewed and cooled green tea. To this add ½ tablespoon of multani mitti and mix well. Apply on your skin and wash off after 15 to 20 minutes.

C. Carrot Seed Oil For Skin

essential oil of carrot seeds

1. For treating eczema, add ½ tablespoon of carrot seed oil to 1 tablespoon of colloidal oatmeal and ½ tablespoon of manuka honey. Mix well and apply on the affected skin. Leave it on for 1 hour and wash off.

2. For dark spots and blemishes, make a paste of fresh mint leaves. Take 2 tablespoons of this paste and add 1 tablespoon of tomato pulp and ½ - 1 tablespoon of carrot seed oil to it. Mix and apply on your face and other hyperpigmented areas. Wash off after 1 hour.

3. For dry skin, take 2 tablespoons of avocado paste, 1 tablespoon of fresh cream, 1 teaspoon of honey and ½ tablespoon of carrot seed oil. Mix well and massage onto your skin. Wash off after an hour.

D. Boiled Carrot For Skin

1. To enhance your skin immunity, prepare a paste with 2 tablespoons of boiled carrot paste, ½ tablespoon of manuka honey and 1 tablespoon of triphala powder. Mix well and apply on your face and hands. Wash off after 40 minutes to an hour.

2. Consumption of boiled carrots can also work wonders for your skin. Including a boiled carrot in your regular diet is likely to make your skin glow in a matter of days.

Vedix Tip:

Consumption of carrot seed extract or carrot seed oil can help manage diabetes and prevent skin conditions like diabetic dermopathy.

Side Effects Of Eating Too Much Carrot

  • While carrots have some amazing benefits for your skin, too much could spell trouble for your overall health. Since carrots are high on vitamin A, excessive consumption (more than 5-6 carrots/day) can cause vitamin A toxicity. This may lead to blurred vision, vomiting, skin rashes and pain in the abdomen.
  • Carotenemia is another condition that can occur from over-consumption of carrots. It causes discolouration of your skin giving it a yellowish or orangish tinge due to an increase in the levels of beta-carotene in your blood.
  • Side effects from topical application of carrots is rare. However, carrot seed oil is mildly comedogenic and must be used with caution on oily skin to prevent pore clogging. It is also safe to do a patch test before applying carrot seed carrier oil or carrot essential oil (diluted) on sensitive skin to prevent allergic reactions.

Frequently Asked Questions On Carrot For Skin

1. Do Carrots Darken Your Skin?

No, on the contrary, carrots, its extract and its oil can brighten your complexion. Rich in antioxidants and other skin-enhancing phytochemicals, carrots prevent hyperpigmentation and protect your skin from sun-induced photodamage.

2. Can You Eat Carrot Greens?

Carrot greens are very much edible and in fact a good source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber. They do not contain any fat and are thus a perfect addition to your salads or sabji.

3. Do Carrots Improve Skin Tone?

Beta-carotene, phenolic acids and vitamin C in carrots can improve your skin tone. These help prevent dark spots and blemishes caused by free radical skin damage, sun exposure and other skin conditions. Including carrots in your daily diet and skincare routine can drastically enhance your skin appearance.

The Last Word

Carrot and its oil have the ability to reverse skin damage, delay aging and protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun. This yummy vegetable with a myriad of skin benefits is a perfect addition to both dry and oily skin routines. If you plan to add it to your diet, understand your Prakriti (body constitution) and accordingly fix a dosage. For topical applications, follow the carrot remedies stated in this article and watch your skin problems disappear giving you flawless, glowing, beautiful skin.

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