The carrot macerate is a natural cosmetic ingredient derived from dried carrot roots. Used pure or incorporated into a product, it has several interesting properties that make its use popular for skin or hair care. Discover here the different ways to use a carrot oil macerate.
How to use carrot macerate?
Summary
Published on February 4, 2025, updated on February 4, 2025, by Pauline, Chemical Engineer — 6 min of reading
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Carrot Macerate: How to Use it on the Skin?
Renowned for imparting a natural healthy glow, carrot macerate is a coveted ingredient in the cosmetic industry. As its name suggests, it is obtained by macerating carrot roots in pure vegetable oil, such as sunflower oil. Carrot macerate is a rich source of beta-carotene, a photosynthetic pigment capable of neutralizing free radicals, particularly those generated following exposure to the sun's UV rays, thereby protecting the skin from their harmful effects. Another property of beta-carotene is its ability to regenerate certain antioxidants present in the skin, like vitamin E. When the latter is oxidized by free radicals, beta-carotene can aid in its reactivation, creating a synergistic effect of antioxidant defense. These antioxidant effects of the carrot macerate explain why it is frequently used to prevent skin aging and enhance complexion radiance.
The carrot macerate can also be beneficial in protecting the skin from dehydration and external aggressions. Indeed, thanks to its carrier oil, this ingredient contains fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids. These are recognized for their ability to strengthen the hydrolipidic film present on the skin's surface, thereby limiting the evaporation of water, but also for their nourishing properties, useful for improving the cohesion of the horny layer and thus the integrity of the skin barrier.
How to use carrot oil macerate for topical application?
The carrot oil macerate easily integrates into a skincare routine to provide radiance and nourish the skin. For direct application, simply warm a few drops between your hands before massaging them onto a clean and dry skin. The use of carrot macerate is particularly interesting for evening care, either alone or mixed with a vegetable oil, such as jojoba or sweet almond, to promote skin regeneration during the night.
The carrot macerate can also be added to existing skincare products to enhance their benefits. Adding a few drops to a daily moisturizer can intensify its softening and protective effects, while providing an immediate healthy glow due to the slightly orange color of the carrot oil macerate. However, caution is advised if you have fair skin: do not apply more than a few drops, or you risk ending up with an orange complexion.
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A potential hair application for carrot macerate?
Although the carrot oil macerate is primarily valued for its benefits on the skin, its application to the hair and scalp could also be of interest. Indeed, due to its richness in antioxidants, particularly beta-carotene, it could help to protect hair fibers from oxidative stress, a factor involved in hair loss and canities, that is, the appearance of white hair. However, it is important to note that these potential actions of carrot macerate have not, at present, been the subject of scientific research. Therefore, we cannot assert that this ingredient can prevent hair loss or hair whitening, only that it has antioxidant properties.
How to use carrot macerate on hair?
To protect hair from oxidative stress, it is possible to apply a few drops of carrot macerate over the entire scalp before massaging until absorbed. However, depending on the carrier oil used during the maceration of carrot roots and the nature of your hair, this method may leave a slight oily film. To avoid this, you can let the macerate sit for thirty minutes to an hour before washing your hair, or dilute it beforehand in a hydrosol, like that of cornflower, which is lighter.
Another possible use for carrot oil macerate: as a hair oil treatment on the lengths. This method is particularly beneficial for taking advantage of the nourishing benefits of the macerate's carrier oil, often rich in fatty acids. These lipids can help strengthen the hydrolipidic film that coats hair fibers, preserve their elasticity, and reduce dryness at the ends.
Sources
SIES H. & al. Activité antioxydante des caroténoïdes. Aspects moléculaires de la médecine (2003).
MIELOCH M. & al. β-carotene in skin care. Polish Journal of Cosmetology (2016).
SIONKOWSKA A. & al. Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Capacity and UV Radiation Protection Properties of Marigold (Calendula officinalis), Carrot (Daucus carota), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Hop (Humulus lupulus) Extracts. Cosmetics (2022).
HE H. & al. The Role of Linoleic Acid in Skin and Hair Health: A Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2025).
