Can carrot seed oil really help with acne, ageing and sun damage?

You already know carrots are good for you—the stuff of 90s lunchboxes, juice bar cleanses and your grandmother’s eyesight-enhancing hack. But somewhere between soup season and salad bowls, carrots have sprouted a new identity in beauty. Not as a food, but as an oil. Or rather, two.

Meet carrot seed oil and carrot root oil—golden-hued extracts that are quietly showing up in face oils, sun drops, supplements and even DIY skin elixirs. Both promise skin-deep benefits, from calming acne and eczema to softening fine lines and supporting your summer glow. Some go as far as claiming UV protection and detoxifying magic.

But what’s the difference between the seed and the root? Are these oils truly as multitasking as they sound, or just another ingredient riding the wellness wave? Ahead, we decode what makes them tick—and what to know before adding either to your beauty routine.

Carrot oil vs carrot seed oil

Carrot seed oil, often pale yellow, is derived from wild carrot seeds and prized in skincare for its purported anti-ageing, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial benefits. It’s been used to soothe acne, eczema, and psoriasis, and some even claim it offers natural UV protection (though it’s not a replacement for sunscreen).

Carrot oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the root and has a deeper orange tint. It’s rich in beta-carotene, antioxidants, and vitamins B, C and E—making it a multitasking ingredient that helps boost radiance, support tanning, and combat early signs of ageing. It’s often used topically in massage oils to stimulate circulation, or even taken as a supplement for its detoxifying benefits.

While the science behind some of the bolder claims is still evolving, both versions offer nutrient-rich support for skin and body. If you’re adding it to your routine, look for cold-pressed, organic options—and always patch-test first.

What is carrot oil used for?

Carrot seed oil is used for a lot of things—you may see it used as a fragrance ingredient in soaps, creams, lotions, and perfumes, or even as a flavouring agent in beverages, condiments, and desserts. Carrot seed oil is also used in aromatherapy.

Carrot oil, on the other hand, is primarily used in cosmetics and especially in sunscreen. Due to its high beta-carotene content, it’s also used as a source of beta-carotene and vitamin A in beauty products, food products, and supplements.

The benefits of carrot seed oil

Carrot seed essential oil—or CSEO, for short—is particularly impressive. It contains beneficial plant compounds, especially caratol and terpenes like α-Pinene, sabinene, myrcene, limonene, and bisabolene, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory properties and signature scent. “The aroma of this essential oil is mildly sweet with the presence of the earthy and herbaceous hints,” one scientific study notes. “In traditional medicine its tonic properties were used for treatment of digestive complaints. What is more, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of CSEO were very efficient in healing the joint conditions. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of CSEO has also been reported.”