Carrot seed oil may seem like an unexpected hero for your beauty routine. But this humble oil, pressed from the seeds of the common carrot plant, contains a potent blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that deliver real results. Keep reading to discover the myriad ways carrot seed oil can benefit your skin and hair.
What is Carrot Seed Oil?
Carrot seed oil is extracted from the dried seeds of the Daucus carota plant – that’s the ordinary orange carrot you buy in the grocery store. Through a gentle cold-pressed method, the oil is derived from wild carrots and retains its natural concentration of antioxidants and vitamins.
These nurturing compounds are what enable carrot seed oil to be so nourishing for skin and hair. The benefits of carrot oil for skin and hair stem from its high concentration of antioxidants like beta-carotene as well as vitamins A, C, and E. These nutrients nourish and protect skin and hair, making carrot seed oil a prized ingredient in many natural beauty products.
Is Carrot Seed Oil Good For Skin?
✅ Revitalizes Skin
The carrot seed oil contains beta-carotene and vitamin A, both of which may revitalize tired and mature skin. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that protects skin from environmental stressors.
Meanwhile, vitamin A promotes cell turnover to help the skin naturally exfoliate. Together, these compounds refresh lackluster skin by defending against damage and accelerating cell renewal.
✅ Soothes Dry Skin
The vitamin E and fatty acids abundant in carrot seed oil are exceptional nourishers for dry skin. Vitamin E and fatty acids reinforce the skin’s lipid barrier to lock in moisture. As this barrier is strengthened, water is prevented from escaping the skin. Regular application of carrot seed oil can result in a noticeable improvement in dry, flaky skin.
✅ Fades Scars
Scars stand no chance against the concentrated vitamin C and antioxidants in carrot seed oil! Vitamin C boosts collagen production within the skin to plump up scar tissue and smooth its texture.
Meanwhile, antioxidants like lycopene and beta-carotene intercept free radicals that would otherwise degrade collagen. This mineral-vitamin combo works together to even skin texture and tone.
✅ Combats Acne
For some acne-prone people, carrot seed oil’s antimicrobial properties help tame breakouts. Since some acne is linked to bacteria on the skin, applying antibacterial carrot seed oil may reduce flare-ups by keeping that bacteria in check. The carrot seed oil also modulates oil production, possibly preventing pores from getting congested and forming pimples.
Is Carrot Seed Oil Good For Hair Growth?
Having looked at carrot seed oil’s merits for the skin, let’s now explore how this oil can profoundly impact hair health too. Just a few drops of carrot seed oil applied to the scalp delivers noticeable results over time.
✅ Stimulates Hair Growth
Carrot seed oil may stimulate growth in dormant hair follicles thanks to its diverse blend of minerals and phytosterols. Specific compounds like vitamin E facilitate nourished, healthy hair growth by feeding follicles the nutrients they need. These powerful plant chemicals also may activate follicles that have been “asleep”, encouraging new hair growth.
✅ Adds Shine
Dull, lifeless hair? Carrot seed oil’s essential fatty acids add a brilliant shine to lackluster locks. Fatty acids help form the protective lipid layer of each strand, enhancing reflectivity. Vitamin E further seals in moisture to prevent brittle flyaways and fraying. Using carrot seed oil to finish styling leaves hair ridiculously soft, smooth, and luminous.
✅ Prevents Dandruff
Dandruff flakes are no match for antimicrobial carrot seed oil. By limiting the growth of yeast and bacteria on the scalp, this oil helps curb one cause of those pesky white specks.
The vitamin E in carrot seed oil also hydrates the scalp thoroughly to prevent dryness and itching that can lead to dandruff. Its antifungal properties provide a lasting defense against recurring flakiness.
More Details on Benefits of Carrot Seed Oil for Skin & Hair
If you’re new to using essential oils like carrot seed oil for skin care, it can seem confusing to understand how best to use them. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Choose your carrier oil. Good options include jojoba, coconut, almond, or apricot kernel oil. Measure out about 1 ounce of carrier oil into a dark glass bottle. Then add 6-7 drops of carrot seed oil and shake well to mix. This makes about a 1% dilution that is safe for most skin types.
Cleanse and tone your face as usual before applying the oil blend. You can apply carrot seed oil morning and night or just at night if you prefer. Measure out a dime-sized amount of your diluted oil blend and massage gently onto your face. Focus on areas of concern like wrinkles, dry patches, or acne-prone areas.
You can use carrot seed oil undiluted as a spot treatment on scars or blemishes but do a patch test first. Only use undiluted oil for short 2-3 day periods at a time.
Since carrot seed oil is so concentrated, a little goes a long way. Expect one 1-ounce bottle of carrier oil diluted with carrot seed oil to last for 3-4 months with regular use. Store your oil blend in a cool, dark place between uses.
Other Ways to Use Carrot Seed Oil
While carrot seed oil is fantastic for your face and hair, there are even more ways to leverage its nourishing properties:
- Mix with body lotion: Add 4-5 drops of carrot seed oil per ounce of unscented body lotion to create your own personalized, nourishing skin cream. This works beautifully for normal, dry, or mature skin.
- Nail and cuticle treatment: Rub a drop of carrot seed oil onto each nail and cuticle nightly to condition them beautifully. This can treat discolored or brittle nails and ragged cuticles.
- Massage oil: For an antioxidant and vitamin-packed massage oil, add carrot seed oil to a base of almond or grapeseed oil. Massage onto sore muscles or dry skin anywhere on the body.
- Aromatherapy: Add 1 drop of carrot seed oil to your diffuser to fill the room with this woodsy-scented essential oil. It’s said to boost mind-body health.
The authoritative way carrot seed oil improves skin and hair over time is outstanding. Have you added this humble hero oil to your routine yet?
Is Carrot Seed Oil Safe? Side Effects of Carrot Seed Oil on the Skin and Hair
When used topically and properly diluted, carrot seed oil is generally very safe. Always conduct a patch test before applying any new oil to your face or hair to check for allergic reactions or irritation.
Some things to keep in mind:
- Carrot seed oil is not safe to ingest. Be careful not to swallow this oil if applying it to your face or scalp.
- Dilute carrot seed oil with a carrier oil like jojoba or coconut oil before use. Undiluted essential oils can cause skin reactions in those with sensitivity.
- Avoid getting carrot seed oil in your eyes, as essential oils can be irritating.
- While generally safe for most people when diluted properly, check with your doctor before using carrot seed oil if pregnant or nursing.
- Store carrot seed oil in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed bottle. Light and heat degrade the integrity and potency of carrier oils over time.
Conclusion
Though carrot seed oil comes from an unassuming source, it delivers outsized benefits for skin and hair. With concentrated antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids, this nourishing carrier oil revitalizes mature skin, fades scars, tames frizz, and stimulates hair growth. Have you tried harnessing the power of carrot seed oil yet? What were your results? Let me know in the comments!
References
- Alves-Silva J, et al. (2016). New claims forwild carrot (daucus carota subsp. Carota) essential oil. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9045196 - Alves-Silva JM, et al. (2016). New claims for wild carrot (Daucus carota subsp. carota) essential oil.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4769755/
