Rich in beta-carotenes and provitamin A, carrot macerate is ideal for giving your skin a radiant boost and combating a dull complexion. However, for those with acne-prone skin, one question consistently arises before incorporating a new ingredient into their skincare routine: is it comedogenic? Discover here whether carrot macerate is likely to cause or exacerbate blemishes.
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Is carrot macerate comedogenic?
Summary
- What is a comedogenic ingredient?
- Carrot macerate: A comedogenic or non-comedogenic ingredient?
- Sources
Published February 3, 2025,
updated on February 3, 2025,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
6 min read
What is a comedogenic ingredient?
Calculated on a scale of 0 to 5, the comedogenicity index allows us to determine whether an ingredient, particularly a vegetable oil, poses a risk of causing comedones or not. An index of 0 indicates that an ingredient is non-comedogenic, while an index of 5 is given to those that are highly comedogenic. In practical terms, a product is comedogenic if it is capable of creating an occlusive film on the skin's surface and blocking the pores. Generally, it is recommended for oily skin types to avoid botanical extracts with a comedogenicity index higher than 2.
However, it is important to note that the use of an ingredient with comedogenic potential does not necessarily lead to the emergence of blemishes. Similarly, the application of a product containing a comedogenic ingredient does not always have the potential to clog skin pores. This depends on its concentration in the product and the overall formulation of the latter. Finally, the risk of developing blemishes after using a comedogenic ingredient largely depends on each person's skin type.
Carrot macerate: A comedogenic or non-comedogenic ingredient?
Indispensable for protecting the skin from oxidative stress and giving it a radiant boost, the carrot macerate is an ingredient obtained by soaking carrot roots in a vegetable oil. The carrot itself does not contain saturated fatty acids, the molecules mainly responsible for the oily nature of certain oils. These compounds are actually provided by the carrier vegetable oil used. Thus, the comedogenicity index of the carrot oil macerate largely depends on the oil used for the maceration.
The vegetable oils of olive, sunflower, sweet almond, argan, and hazelnut are the most commonly used to prepare a carrot oil macerate.
These plant-based oils are considered light and are low to non-comedogenic. Their comedogenicity indices are summarized in the table below.
| Vegetable Oil | Comedogenicity Index |
|---|---|
| Sunflower Oil | 0 |
| Argan Oil | 0 |
| Hazelnut Oil | 0 |
| Olive Oil | 2 |
| Sweet Almond Oil | 2 |
Comedogenicity indices of the main vegetable oils used to make a carrot macerate.
Thus, the carrot oil macerate is an ingredient that generally does not present a high risk of comedogenicity, provided that the chosen carrier oil is suitable for skin prone to blemishes. Sunflower, argan, and hazelnut oils, with a zero comedogenicity index, are particularly recommended to avoid pore clogging. On the other hand, olive and sweet almond oils, slightly more occlusive, may not be suitable for skin prone to acne. For these skin types, it is therefore recommended to inquire about the carrier oil used during the maceration before using a carrot macerate.
Note : At Typology, we use carrot macerate obtained by macerating dried carrot roots in organic sunflower oil.
Sources
FULTON J. E. Comedogenicity and irritancy of commonly used ingredients in skin care products. Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists (1989).
DINARDO J. C. & al. A re-evaluation of the comedogenicity concept. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2006).
SHOJAN A. & al. Comedogenicity of Oils. International Journal of Contemporary Medical Research (2019).
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).
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