Easy to make at home, carrot macerate is a treatment with multiple uses. Indeed, although it is most commonly applied to the face to give a healthy glow, it has other interesting properties in cosmetics. Some even attribute it with an effect on acne. Myth or reality? Let's explore together what the scientific literature says.
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The effects of carrot macerate on acne?
Summary
Published February 5, 2025,
updated on February 5, 2025,
by
Pauline, Chemical Engineer
—
8 min read
80% to 90%
Adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 20 suffer from acne.
40%
adults over the age of 25 are affected by acne.
Is carrot macerate a natural solution to acne?
Acne is a skin condition that can affect both teenagers and adults, and is heavily hormone-mediated. Indeed, an excess of androgen hormones in the blood, mainly testosterone and dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), stimulates the activity of the sebaceous glands. However, excessive sebum production can lead to the obstruction of skin pores and the formation of spots spots. This sebum-rich environment is also conducive to the growth of the bacterium Cutibacterium acnes. In addition to causing a dysbiosis of the skin microbiota, the excessive proliferation of this microorganism leads to the release of free fatty acids, resulting in inflammation in the sebaceous glands that manifests as inflammatory acne and the occurrence of papules and pustules. Finally, the clogging of hair follicles and the appearance of spots can be caused by accelerated cell renewal, leading to an accumulation of dead cells on the skin's surface.
While some plant oils have demonstrated potential in combating acne in scientific studies, this is not the case for the carrot macerate, which possesses neither sebum-regulating action nor keratolytic properties.
However, although it is still poorly documented scientifically, the potential anti-inflammatory effect of carrot macerate could be interesting in cases of inflammatory acne. This effect is believed to come from the fatty acids present in its carrier oil, such as oleic acid. This omega-9 is indeed capable of inhibiting the pro-inflammatory NF-κB signalling pathway as well as the synthesis of inflammation mediators, such as leukotrienes. In doing so, oleic acid could be of interest in the fight against inflammatory acne. These various effects have, however, only been demonstrated in vitro and concern pure oleic acid. It is not certain that its concentration in the carrot macerate is sufficient to allow it to act on blemishes.
Similarly, the carrot macerate is said to have antibacterial properties that could be potentially beneficial in cases of acne. These properties were particularly highlighted in a study conducted in vitro using a carrot extract diluted in DMSO, an organic solvent, and various bacterial cultures, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and bacteria of the Streptococcus genus. For this, the circular inhibition zone was measured, corresponding to an absence of bacterial growth around the carrot extract placed in the centre of the Petri dish. The larger the inhibition zone, the more sensitive the bacteria is to the extract. The various inhibition zones measured are presented below and have been compared to that obtained for chloramphenicol, a bacteriostatic antibiotic used as a control.
| Bacteria | 100% Carrot Extract | 75% Carrot Extract | Carrot Extract 50% | Carrot Extract 25% | Control (1 mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staphylococcus aureus | 11.20 ± 0.5 mm | 10.0 ± 1.50 mm | 8.65 ± 0.1 mm | 7.05 ± 0.2 mm | 21.00 ± 0.5 mm |
| Bacteria of the Streptococcus genus | 12.15 ± 0.5 mm | 10.05 ± 0.5 mm | 9.33 ± 0.2 mm | 6.00 ± 1.0 mm | 24.30 ± 1.4 mm |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 11.22 ± 0.5 mm | 9.20 ± 0.57 mm | 7.00 ± 0.1 mm | 6.00 ± 1.0 mm | 30.02 ± 0.8 mm |
Characterisation of the antibacterial activity of carrot extract by measuring circular inhibition zones for various bacteria.
Source: Characterisation of the antibacterial activity of calendula extract by measuring the circular inhibition zones for various bacteria.
The carrot extract studied thus demonstrated good antibacterial activity during this study. This property is believed to come from its flavonoid content, compounds capable of halting bacterial growth through the inhibition of the bacterial efflux pump, a membrane transporter that helps bacteria resist antibiotic treatments by allowing their expulsion from the bacteria. However, one might question the possibility of transposing these results to a carrot oil macerate obtained by maceration in a vegetable oil, which is the type of ingredient commonly used in cosmetics. Furthermore, the antibacterial capacity of the carrot extract has not been tested against C. acnes, the bacteria involved in acne. Thus, even if a similar mechanism of action can be assumed, additional studies are necessary for a complete understanding of the phenomenon.
Note : The texture of the carrot macerate varies depending on the carrier oil used in its production. Some oils can make it thicker, which may prove too greasy for acne-prone skin and potentially promote the appearance of blemishes.
Although carrot macerate may exhibit some interesting properties in the case of acne, it does not provide sufficient treatment and has not been the subject of specific clinical studies for this use. If you suffer from acne and it causes you distress, it is important to consult a dermatologist. They can offer you a treatment plan tailored to your skin and the severity of your lesions.
Sources
BHUSHAN R. & al. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2016).
POTENZA C. & al. Adult Acne Versus Adolescent Acne. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology (2018).
EWANSIHA J. & al. Inhibitory potential of coconut and carrot oil extracts on some bacterial skin microflora. African Journal of Biology and Medical Research (2020).
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).
SULAIMAN S. & al. Antibacterial Activity Test of Ethanol Extract and Fraction of Carrot Leaf (Daucus Carota L.) Against Staphylococcus Aureus. Madani Multidisciplinary Journal (2024).
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