Carrot seed oil: what it is, and why it is not a sunscreen
The difference between carrot seed oil and carrot oil, what is in it, what the evidence supports and the risky myth of natural SPF.
1 min read · Updated 2026-11-14
Two different oils
The carrot plant gives two cosmetic oils. Carrot seed oil is pressed or distilled from the small brown seeds; the distilled essential oil is dominated by a compound called carotol. Carrot oil is usually carrot root soaked in another oil, which takes on its orange colour.
What is in carrot seed oil
Cold-pressed seed oil is mostly oleic and linoleic fatty acids, with carotenoids and vitamin E. The essential oil is dominated by carotol and has an earthy, woody scent.
What the evidence supports
Laboratory studies describe antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity for wild carrot essential oil. Controlled human trials for anti-ageing or skin-tone claims are lacking. In a lotion, carrot seed oil works as a light emollient.
The natural SPF myth
Social media often calls carrot seed oil a natural sunscreen. That is dangerous. No carrot oil has been shown to give reliable sun protection. Our Day Protection Lotion uses carrot seed as a skin-conditioning ingredient; please still use a tested sunscreen outdoors.
In Kart Naturals
Carrot seed is in both variants of Day Protection Lotion.
This guide is general information, not medical advice.
Questions
Is carrot seed oil the same as carrot oil?
No. Carrot seed oil comes from the seeds. Carrot oil is usually carrot root infused in a carrier oil.
Does carrot seed oil have SPF?
It should not be relied on for sun protection. Always use a tested sunscreen outdoors.
Is it retinol?
No. Beta-carotene on the skin does not act like retinol, and there are no good trials showing retinol-like effects.
Sources
- Alves-Silva JM et al. New Claims for Wild Carrot (Daucus carota subsp. carota) Essential Oil. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016:9045196
- Thiele JJ, Hsieh SN, Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage S. Vitamin E: critical review of its current use in cosmetic and clinical dermatology. Dermatol Surg 2005;31(7 Pt 2):805-813
This guide is general information about traditional and natural care. It is not medical advice. For a skin, scalp or health condition, speak to a dermatologist or qualified practitioner.
