Carrot Seed Oil: Benefits, Risks, and Uses

What is Carrot Seed Oil?

Are Carrot Oil, Carrot Seed Oil and Carrot Seed Essential Oil all the same?

No! All of these are different oils. Confused? Let us explain.

1. Carrot oil: Carrot oil is prepared by infusing carrots with oil, heating it and then filtering it. It can be used directly on the face.
2. Carrot seed essential oil: This essential oil is produced by distilling seeds of carrot plant (daucus carota sativa). It cannot be used directly on the face; it must be diluted with carrier oil like coconut oil, jojoba oil or olive oil.
3. Carrot seed oil: This oil is made by extracting the oil from the seeds of carrot plant through a cold-pressing process.

Carrot seed oil is an essential oil that is extracted from the seeds of the carrot plant, Daucus carota. It has various benefits and uses, such as:

It has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can fight some common infections.
It has antioxidant properties that may protect against liver damage and aging skin.
It contains a compound called umbelliferone that can block UVB light and may help with hyperpigmentation.
However, carrot seed oil also has some risks and limitations, such as:

It can cause skin irritation and sensitivity in some people.
It is not the same as carrot oil or cold pressed carrot seed oil, which are different types of oils with different compositions and uses.
It is not a substitute for sunscreen, as it does not provide adequate protection against sunburns or skin cancer.

Carrot oil is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E along with essential fatty acids. It features several antioxidants including beta carotene, an essential antioxidant for healthy skin.

Benefits and uses for cold pressed carrot seed oil

When you mix carrot seed oil with a carrier oil, you can apply it to your skin. Several laboratory studies and anecdotal evidence indicate that carrot seed essential oil has a number of properties that may be beneficial when used this way.

Antibacterial

A recent study Trusted Source found that carrot seed oil is effective at combating several strains of bacteria.

These include Listeria monocytogenes, which causes listeriosis infections, and Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for staph infections. It had a smaller degree of effectiveness against E-coli and Salmonella.

Researchers attribute the effectiveness to the levels of a chemical compound called alpha-pinene in carrot seed oil. They also acknowledged that differences in concentrations of the chemical compounds in carrot seed oil can change the oil’s antibacterial properties.

Antifungal

Research suggests that carotol, another chemical compound in carrot seed oil, reduces the activity of fungi that affect plant growth.

Another study Trusted Source indicates carrot seed oil has some degree of effectiveness against yeasts such as Candida albicans and Aspergillus.

Antioxidant

An animal study Trusted Source performed on rats suggests that carrot seed oil may be an effective antioxidant. This same study found that carrot seed oil might also have benefits against liver damage.

Pro-aging support

A study Trusted Source that analyzed carrot seed oil’s antioxidant properties suggests that it might be beneficial in cosmetics as a rejuvenator for aging skin.

Gastroprotective

Alpha-pinene was found to reduce the incidence of gastric ulcers in an animal study Trusted Source performed on mice.

Anti-inflammatory

Anecdotal reports indicate that carrot seed oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is soothing to the skin and scalp.

Points To Remember When Using Carrot Seed Oil

• Carrot seed oil is generally considered safe if used externally. With that being said, you should never apply undiluted carrot seed oil to the skin as it may cause redness, rash, and burning sensations.
• Prior to using carrot seed oil, always test the diluted oil on a small patch of skin and wait overnight to see if any reaction is occurring.

How Carrot Seed Oil Is Used

Mostly, people use it for skincare. You can buy carrot seed essential oil on its own, but you can also find it in many different personal care products like:

• Face wash
• Facial oil
• Serum
• Dark spot treatments

Its antifungal and antibacterial properties might help with skin infections. Some skin conditions like eczema often have extra Staphylococcus bacteria. Carrot seed oil might help relieve eczema by fighting it. 

Some people also add carrot seed oil to shampoo and conditioner to help nourish their scalp. 

Risks

Since essential oils aren’t meant for ingestion, and many carrot seed essential oil studies were done in vitro or on animals, it’s important to consult a doctor before you use it to treat an infection or illness.

It’s also advisable to dilute carrot seed essential oil with a carrier oil before applying to your skin or scalp.

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