It is safe to say that carrots are good for your health. They have tons of health benefits, such as improving eyesight. But did you know there are plenty of carrot benefits for skin?
Nutrition in Carrots
The following table depicts the nutrients present in a medium-sized carrot of approximately 60g.
Carrot Benefits for Skin
We have outlined the various carrot benefits for the face, so you understand why this is a must-have in your diet. The benefits of eating carrots for the skin are as follows:
1. Good for Dry Skin
A potassium deficiency may result in consistent dry skin. However, carrots are a rich source of potassium that helps to hydrate and moisturise your skin.
2. Treat Skin Infection and Inflammation
Carrots possess vitamin A, which is beta-carotene. Its anti-inflammatory properties encourage the reconstruction of tissues. You can even use a grated raw carrot on external wounds to stimulate the healing process. It acts as an antiseptic and stops the chance of infection.
3. Counters The Sun’s UV Rays
Carrots can help you protect your skin from harmful UV rays as they are rich in carotenoids and vitamin A. Carotenoids refer to the pigment that gives fruits and vegetables their vibrant hues. They also protect you against sunburn.
4. Treat Acne and Pimples
Vitamin A is beneficial for treating acne. Moreover, you won’t experience any side effects medicines might give you. It also has calcium and sodium, which help treat acne. Carrots are rich in fibre, which is essential in flushing out toxins from your body. This will help reduce your acne breakouts.
5. Anti-aging Properties
Carrots act as antioxidants owing to the abundance of alpha and beta-carotene. Hence, carrots repair cell damage. Moreover, Vitamins A and C boost collagen production in the body. Collagen contributes to our skin elasticity and helps prevent wrinkles.
6. Improving Tanned Skin
Carrots possess a powerful natural antiseptic that kills germs and protects your skin from free radicals. You can make an exfoliating face mask with a carrot to hydrate, soothe, and revitalise your skin.
7. Removes Blemishes
Having oily skin can create blemishes on our faces. However, Vitamin A in carrots improves the quality of our skin and helps clear out clogged pores. You can make a variety of face masks with carrots to get rid of blemishes.
8. Soothing Facial Spray
Carrots can help different kinds of skin issues. If your face has been exposed to sunlight and dust, you can use a simple homemade spray to soothe your skin. You can mix carrot juice and rose water to make this spray. It also works for sunburn.
9. Natural Skin Moisturiser
Carrot seed oil acts as a natural skin moisturiser. It contains antioxidants, vitamin E, and vitamin C, which are all beneficial to the skin. Carrot seed oil can also be used by those with sensitive skin.
10. Skin Whitening
Many of us complain about tanning and an uneven skin tone. However, carrots can help you even out your skin tone and even leave you fairer. Carrots have earned the name “herbal healer” of skin diseases because they help in all kinds of skin issues.
How to Use Carrot for Skin?
Now that you know eating carrots benefits for skin, let’s move on to the carrot uses for skin. Here are some ways in which you can use a carrot for your skin:
1. Carrot Mask - Skin Brightening
- Put 1 teaspoon of wheat bran in a bowl.
- Juice a medium-sized carrot. Slowly add the juice to the dry ingredients till it makes a spreadable paste.
- After applying a thin layer on your face and neck, leave it for 10 minutes.
- Rinse your face and neck with lukewarm water and dry your skin with a soft towel.
The Vitamin A in carrots helps to flush out excessive oils on your face, keeping it fresh and toxin-free. They also help to clarify and tone your skin since they act as natural antiseptics. The wheat bran acts as an exfoliant to get rid of dead skin cells.
2. Carrot Oil - Moisturising Skin
- Wash, peel and slice a carrot into thin circles.
- Lay the slices on a clean cloth and leave them in the sun to dehydrate for 3-4 days.
- Once dehydrated, put them in a clean and dry glass jar. Fill the jar with a carrier oil such as jojoba oil.
- Close the lid tightly and leave this jar in the sun for a month.
- Then strain the oil into a clean and dry bottle.
- The sunlight helps the carrot to release its antioxidants into the oil. You can use this concoction after a bath or as a body massage oil before you sleep.
The nutrients and antioxidants present in carrots offer anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that help with acne. It also encourages softer and more radiant skin. A carrier oil will help to ‘carry’ the nutrients to your skin and prevent the nutrients from being absorbed too quickly or evaporating.
Carrot Juice Benefits for Skin
Maybe eating carrots is not your thing. You can even juice them and enjoy this healthy beverage. These are the carrot juice benefits for the skin:
1. Antioxidant
The sun’s UV rays break down our collagen, resulting in wrinkles and fine lines. However, one glass of carrot juice in a day can help us counter these effects of ageing. Ensure you drink it on an empty stomach. Carrots have alpha and beta carotene and carotenoids that fight against free radicals. We all know how antioxidants are essential in fighting off free radicals. Therefore, carrots help us escape premature signs of ageing. If you don’t consume enough antioxidants, your skin will show oxidative damage.
2. Glowing Skin
Yes, you can use carrot juice for skin whitening. You can use this root vegetable to achieve soft and glowing skin. All you need to do is drink one glass of carrot juice on an empty stomach every day. Carrots contain high levels of vitamin C, which are easily absorbed by our bodies. Along with the antioxidants, these nutrients boost collagen production. This brightens the skin, prevents the formation of wrinkles, and makes your skin glow. You can take it one step further by having carrot and beetroot juice for skin whitening. Vitamin C plays a big role in nourishing and hydrating the skin.
3. Hydrates the Skin
Drinking one glass of carrot juice a day can help you fix your dry and dehydrated skin. Carrots contain tons of useful nutrients that help retain water in your body. They also nourish and hydrate your skin. As you can see, there are tons of benefits of carrot juice for skin complexion. The best part of drinking carrot juice is that it helps to flush the toxins in your body. This, too, helps even your skin’s complexion.
4. Prevents Acne
We all hate acne. However, it is easy to get acne breakouts due to pollution or toxins in our system. However, you can avoid getting pimples and boils on your face by drinking one glass of carrot juice daily. Alternatively, you can apply it to your skin. This is an easy remedy for your skin. We advise you to use brightly coloured carrots as they are extremely nutritious and rich in vitamins and minerals. Vitamin A is healing and will protect you from pimples and acne. Vitamin C will aid by strengthening and nourishing your skin.
5. Reduces Inflammation
The carotenoids present in carrots help those who suffer from internal inflammation. Hence, drinking carrot juice can ease our inflammation and reduce the chances of cancer. This is because the antioxidants in carrots fight leukaemia cells. As mentioned before, carrots fight against free radicals, reducing the oxidative stress levels in our blood. This consequently reduced inflammation within our body.
How to Make Carrot Juice
Ingredients (240ml)
- 500 grams of fresh carrots
- 1 inch of fresh ginger (use only ½ for kids)
- 1 orange, 2-3 pears, 5-6 tangerines, or 2 lemons
- 1 cup water
Preparation
- Wash the carrots. Use a vegetable scrub if needed to clean them.
- Soak the carrots in a large pot of clean water for half an hour.
- You can choose to peel the skin off the carrots.
- If you are using oranges, wash, peel, deseed, and halve them.
- If you are making the juice in a blender, cube all your ingredients into 1-inch pieces.
- If you are using a juicer, then cut all the ingredients to the size required for your instrument.
Instructions
- Start by running the machine.
- If you use a mixer or blender, pour the liquid through a strainer or filter. Collect all the juice at the bottom.
- Serve it immediately and consume your carrot juice fresh.
Potential Risks of Carrot
While there are many benefits of eating carrots for the skin, there might also be some potential risks you must consider. Carrots are most definitely healthy and great for the body. But it may not suit everyone. Also, you must eat it in moderation. The following list outlines the potential risks of carrot:
- Overconsumption of vitamin A can negatively affect you. It may result in an orange tint to your skin. It is not harmful to your health, but you might still want to avoid this.
- Some people may be allergic to certain compounds in carrots. If you ever develop hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing after eating carrots, you must seek immediate medical help. Also, do not consume carrots if you notice this happening regularly.
- If you have severe symptoms when consuming carrots, you may experience anaphylaxis. This can be a life-threatening reaction that develops rapidly. Get immediate medical help if you experience this. Also, notify people regarding your allergies to help you if needed.
How to Store Carrots?
It is very easy to store carrots. Put your carrots in a sealed plastic bag and put them in the fridge. Ensure you remove the leaves off the carrots before you store them. This is because the leaves tend to draw out nutrients and moisture from the roots.
Summing Up on Carrot Benefits for Skin
No matter how old you are, you can enjoy carrot benefits for your skin and your overall health. This nutrient-packed vegetable does wonders for the body. As it is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamin A and C, not only will it help you become healthier, but it will also heal and take care of your skin. There are plenty of ways in which you can add carrots to your diet and skincare regimen.
FAQs
Is Drinking Carrot Juice the Same as Eating Carrots?
No, there is a difference between eating carrots and drinking carrot juice. Eating carrots offers you more fibre, which is good for your gut health. On the other hand, Carrot juice has a higher level of sugar. Hence, there is nothing wrong with drinking carrot juice, but it shouldn’t replace eating carrots.
What Is the Best Time to Drink Carrot Juice?
You can drink carrot juice whenever you like. However, it helps to drink it on an empty stomach, and that is usually in the morning. We advise you to do this as your body can quickly absorb all the nutrients when your stomach is empty. After a meal, it may take longer for the nutrients to get soaked.
What Are the Benefits of Carrots During Pregnancy?
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which becomes vitamin A in the body. This nutrient plays a significant role in developing your baby’s eyes, skin, and organs.
References
- Tanveer Ahmad, Maria Cawood, September 2019; Phytochemicals in Daucus carota and Their Health Benefits—Review Article - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC6770766/
- Shalini Singh, Alka Lohani, 2019; Formulation and evaluation of carrot seed oil-based cosmetic emulsions - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29737890/
- Martino Bianconi, Laura Ceriotti, October 2020; Red Carrot Cells Cultured in vitro Are Effective, Stable, and Safe Ingredients for Skin Care, Nutraceutical, and Food Applications - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2020.575079/full
