Carrot macerate for a healthy glow?

A radiant complexion often evokes the beautiful summer days and brings a touch of glow to the face that one would wish to maintain all year round. To achieve this, some turn to carrot macerate, an ingredient obtained by macerating dried carrot roots in vegetable oil. This is rich in carotenoids, specifically in β-carotene, also known as provitamin A, a precursor of vitamin A. This photosynthetic pigment, capable of absorbing wavelengths between 400 and 500 nm, displays an orange to yellow hue characteristic of the carrot. It is this colour that is also at the origin of the reputation of the carrot oil macerate for brightening the complexion and providing a natural healthy glow.

Indeed, the β-carotene found in carrot macerate possesses potent antioxidant properties that enable it to protect the skin from oxidative stress and impart a radiant glow. These benefits stem from its unique chemical structure, rich in double bonds, which allows it to neutralise free radicals by providing the missing electron. Another distinctive feature of β-carotene is its ability to regenerate other antioxidants present in the skin, such as vitamin E. When the latter is oxidised by free radicals, β-carotene can contribute to its reactivation, creating a synergistic effect of antioxidant defence. This mechanism helps to reduce the impact of oxidative stress and protect various skin organelles, including keratinocytes, the constitutive cells of the epidermis.

Indeed, oxidative stress, a phenomenon linked to an excessive production of free radicals, is recognised as one of the main culprits of dull complexion. Free radicals, naturally produced during cellular respiration or in response to external aggressions, such as exposure to UV radiation, pollution or even blue light, can notably alter the DNA and mitochondrial activity of keratinocytes, thus disrupting their ability to proliferate and potentially causing a slowdown in cellular renewal. This slowdown can result in an accumulation of dead cells on the skin's surface, which prevents light from reflecting on it and gives it a dull appearance.

By protecting the skin from oxidative stress, carrot macerate can help to enhance complexion.

Furthermore, carotenoids, such as the β-carotene found in carrot oil macerate, are known for their ability to stimulate the melanogenesis. A study has indeed focused on this subject and highlighted the benefits of a diet rich in carotenoids. For four weeks, 15 women followed this type of diet, corresponding to an intake of 176,425 μg of β-carotene per week, while 15 others consumed only 2,073 μg of β-carotene per week. At the end of the study, the researchers observed that the participants from the first group had a significantly more tanned complexion than those from the second group, and this was true for areas naturally exposed to the sun, such as the face, and non-exposed areas, like the soles of the feet. However, evidence of such an action of β-carotene in topical application remains to be established.

Good to know : You can find the carrot oil macerate in our sunless tanning botanical blend. This treatment, containing five other plant extracts, revives the complexion's radiance and provides an immediate subtle tan.

• 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).

• COLLINS C. & al. Consuming high-carotenoid fruit and vegetables influences skin yellowness and plasma carotenoids in young women: A single-blind randomized crossover trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (2016).

• STAHL W. Carotenoids in human skin. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids (2019).

• STAHL W. & al. Carotenoids in human skin.
  Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids (2020).