annashay 
Today, we’re talking carrots, and not the kind that sparkles on your finger. Don’t worry, this kind of carrot is just as worthwhile, and it’ll keep you looking just as beautiful.
We’re talking about the super nutritious and very available veggie you’ve probably got in your fridge right now. And if you don’t, you should. Let’s get into why.
Carrots have TONS of health and beauty benefits when consumed, but did you know they also provide excellent benefits when applied topically?
That’s why today, we’re sharing a roundup of carrot benefits for skin, hair, and overall health plus ways to use them. Check it out below.
9 Beauty Benefits of Carrots We Almost Can’t Believe
Increase your antioxidant protection.
This study found out that if you eat baby carrots three times a week, it increases the carotenoid levels in your skin. Increased carotenoid levels are associated with increased antioxidant protection.
And, this is actually crazy important for your skin and health. When you have higher levels of antioxidant protection, your body is more easily able to neutralize free radicals, which is essential for maintaining gorgeous skin.
Free radicals are these unstable molecules that are created by stress, environmental aggressors like pollution, UV radiation, etc. When they’re not neutralized, they cause obvious signs of aging like wrinkles and saggy, dull skin.
When you do have solid antioxidant protection, your skin is brighter and your skin tone is more even.
Protect yourself from the sun.
In addition to brightening your skin tone, carrots can help protect you from the sun. This is because increased antioxidant protection prevents those environmental aggressors like UV radiation from creating free radicals. So, if you somehow forgot to Get the F*ck Out of the Sun for a minute, you’d be more protected.
But, you’d definitely be better off using your CAFFEINATED SUNSCREEN and saving the antioxidant protection for other environmental toxins.
Stimulate cell turnover for younger-looking, healthier skin.
Carrots are rich in Vitamin A, which is a nutrient that boosts the process of cell turnover. It accomplishes this by stimulating the growth of new cells, prompting the old cells to be shed.
This can help to reduce acne scars and other blemishes on your face, as Vitamin A aids in healing wounds and rejuvenating our skin.
Here’s the best thing about getting your Vitamin A primarily from carrots: it’s the safest way to get Vitamin A. Did you know it’s actually dangerous to consume too much Vitamin A? Taking too many micrograms can cause problems like bone thinning, liver damage, nausea, skin irritation, and much more.
BUT, the good news is that your body only converts beta-carotene into Vitamin A if it actually needs it so you don’t have to worry about accidentally overdosing your skincare supplements.
Rehydrate dry skin.
Carrots have a lot of potassium in them, which is an electrolyte that’s essential for keeping our body (& skin!) hydrated. If you’re struggling with dull, dry skin, carrots just may refresh you.
Support collagen synthesis through Vitamin C.
We already know we love Vitamin C after all, it’s in all the best brightening skin serums. But, it does so much more than just brighten our skin.
Vitamin C is vital for the production of our favorite protein and beauty supplement, collagen. Collagen provides structure & strength to your body, AKA the glue that holds everything together. Plus, it makes your skin look bouncy, moisturized, and bright. What’s not to love?
In order for collagen to be able to do its thing, it needs Vitamin C to stabilize the collagen molecules as they’re being formed. This means the molecule can hold its structure and therefore YOU together. So, thank you, Vitamin C! And as always, thank you, collagen.
Do you want to better assist your collagen production WITHOUT eating literally 10 cups of carrots per day? Beauty Salt is the perfect supplement to your diet it’s full of collagen-supporting ingredients like pearl powder and pure 40% Colostrum from the first milking. That way you can keep your daily carrot intake down to ½ a cup.
Add shine & strength to your smile.
Did you know some people call carrots nature’s toothbrush? The thick, slightly abrasive texture of carrots is actually amazing at breaking up plaque and removing surface stains.
We’ll be honest, we’re not ready to throw out our electric toothbrush, and we probably never will be. But, your smile can still benefit from eating carrots.
Carrots boost keratin production, which is essential for a healthy, bright smile.
Keratin is one of the building blocks of enamel, which is an important structure for our smiles. Enamel works double time to protect your teeth from degrading when you chew, AND give you gorgeous pearly whites to show off.
So does a carrot (or a few) per day keep the dentist away, or what? For all of Lauryns favorite, healthy oral care products, check out this post.
Keep your hair healthy & strong.
Keratin isn’t just good for your teeth and gums it’s also the protein that builds our hair. If you want to see some hair growth, eating carrots can help stimulate keratin production through the processing of all that Vitamin A.
Brow Peptide also stimulates keratin so if you’re looking to grow your brows and lashes be sure to get it on subscription.
Boost your immune system.
Is this a beauty benefit? Maybe not, but we can tell you from experience that when we’re sick we look like it. And who wants to show up looking like a tissue box’s worst enemy? Not us.
Carrots have SO many nutrients and antioxidants that support immunity and cardiovascular health. We already know that they reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which supports a healthy immune system.
But, beyond that, beta-carotene actually acts as an immunomodulator, which means it has the ability to affect the immune system. Beta-carotene acts in a positive way to regulate different levels in the immune system, including your histamine levels.
Exfoliate your skin.
When used topically, carrots are in that sweet spot of just abrasive enough to exfoliate, but still do it gently. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, making way for newer, healthier ones.
Speaking of exfoliating…do you have a Butter Brush? It’s the best exfoliator we’ve EVER used.
How To Use Carrots For Skin
Drink carrot juice.
If you’re really into carrots, this probably sounds amazing. And, the carrot juice benefits are endless. However, if you’re not really into carrots, you should know that usually carrot juice is mixed with other fruits and/or vegetables, so it doesn’t ONLY taste like carrots. It can actually be super yummy.
Add carrots to your smoothies.
Carrots naturally have sugar in them, so they’re a sweet addition to any fruity smoothie. We’d recommend using shredded carrots to make it easier on your blender. (Lauryn loves her Vitamix with the stainless steel pitcher.)
Eat a carrot salad.
Shred a bunch of carrots and add them to any salad. Try it with dried cranberries and goat cheese, or on a nice garden salad with Italian dressing.
Make a carrot face mask.
If you want to gently exfoliate your skin, try using a carrot mask.
To make:
+ Boil a freshly washed carrot until it’s soft.
+ Mash the carrot into a paste.
+ Combine the carrot with ingredients of your choosing, depending on your goals:
Honey—Dry skin
Yogurt—Extra exfoliating
Tomato—Brightening
Avocado—Hydration
Turmeric—Anti-inflammation
Apply to your face, leaving to sit for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse off gently.
Use carrot seed oil.
Not in your DIY era yet? You can also reap all the benefits of carrots when applying a carrot seed oil to your skin, face, and hair directly. And while you’re at it, why not check out some other oils that are great for your skin.
Dip your carrots in hummus.
We’ll be honest, we stole this one from Danielle Brown’s plant-based eating guide it was just so delicious, we couldn’t resist.
For this one, you’ll just need freshly washed raw carrots and some hummus. We recommend this recipe.
Try carrots with… mustard?
We weren’t sure about this one, but our very own Parker Miller (Project & Operations Manager for TSC) swears by it. Just take freshly washed carrots, some mustard (honey or dijon), and go to town.
Carrots are an easy way to boost your health & beauty.
Whether you’re using them in your skincare routine for their anti-aging properties, or you’re munching on them for their health benefits, carrots will give you what you need.
x, The Skinny Confidential team.
+ Try TSC’s depuffing oil for supple, soft, hydrated skin.
++ Try Reese Witherspoon’s Glowing Green Smoothie.
