The Basic (But Brilliant) Veg You Need In Your Skincare Routine

If you were to examine all the ingredients found in skincare products, you’d realize that there’s a legit “salad” of naturally sourced goodness. You probably already know some of the big ones, like olive oil, coconut oil, and pomegranate, but there are a handful of lesser-known “superfood” ingredients often incorporated, too. We’re talking broccoli, strawberry, watermelon, avocado, goji berry, pumpkin, mushrooms, and – the topic du jour – carrots. More specifically, carrot seed oil.

Carrot Seed Oil Benefits

“Carrot seed oil contains abundant amounts of vitamin E and vitamin A, both of which are powerful botanicals that are super kind to your skin,” says Dr.Tanuj Nakra, a cosmetic surgeon and the cofounder of AVYA Skincare. “Vitamin E is an antioxidant that reverses DNA damage and provides deep hydration, and vitamin A is the precursor to retinoic acid, a potent skin turnover agent that removes dullness, pigment irregularities, and also reduces wrinkles.

In addition to serving as an antioxidant powerhouse, carrot seed oil is majorly nourishing and hydrating when applied topically, which means it comes in very handy during winter. If you’re curious to try carrot seed oil yourself, the curated products below are a great place to start.

1. Yes To Carrots Kale Mud Mask, $16

Source: yesto

Of course, we’re leading off the list with a product from Yes To, a brand that owes a lot to carrots if you ask us. Their Vitamin-Enriched Kale Mud Mask shines the light on both kale and carrots, and we love that it’s 100% vegan. This one does three primary things. First, it helps detox the skin and shrink pores via kaolin clay and witch hazel. Second, it hydrates via carrot seed, castor, and linseed oils. And third, it infuses nutrients for a glowy complexion with carrot seed and kale extracts.

2. Naturopathica Carrot Seed Soothing Facial Oil, $58

Source: Naturopathica

If your poor skin is feeling beat up by winter weather and indoor heating, make it a priority to calm and nourish. This facial oil from Naturopathica combines carrot seed, primrose, and lavender oils to help relieve irritation, redness, and dryness. Because it’s so jam-packed with antioxidants, it also helps heal and defend your skin from environmental and free radical damage.

3. Sunday Riley Juno Antioxidant + Superfood Face Oil, $72

Source: Sunday Riley

We’ve got another rich facial oil for you, this one from Sunday Riley. Juno has been in their lineup for years now, and it’s considered a staple in many regimens. It’s particularly ideal for dry skin types (or those with parched skin from winter) and its entire ingredient list is as follows: blackberry, blueberry, grape seed, cranberry, raspberry, carrot, cumin, broccoli, and meadowfoam oils. Yum!

4. Shea Terra Organics 100% Pure Egyptian Carrot Seed Oil, $22

Source: Shea Terra

If you just want the pure stuff, this no-frills product from Shea Terra Organics is the way to go. The carrots are locally grown around the Nile River and then cold-pressed and packaged. You can wear the oil alone or add a couple drops to your current go-to products – including creams, serums, oils, and foundations – for a boost.

5. Mad Hippie Facial SPF 30+ Sunscreen, $25

Source: Mad Hippie

It doesn’t matter what time of year it is or whether the sun is hiding behind the clouds – SPF should be your #1 priority over everything else in your beauty routine. Mad Hippie’s Facial 30+ Sunscreen is an especially great one for the winter months since it’s so nourishing and moisturizing. It’s an all-natural formulation that uses zinc oxide, and is loaded up with carrot seed, avocado, jasmine, and raspberry seed oils, as well as hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and shea butter.

For more amazing skincare ingredients, check out our Beauty Glossary.