Carrot Seed Oil vs. Carrot Seed Essential Oil

Perhaps you’ve heard about the benefits of using carrot seed oil for the face, skin, and hair. But when you go to purchase some, you notice there’s distilled carrot seed essential oil, cold-pressed carrot seed oil, or just carrot oil on the market. And people sell them all as carrot seed oil. It’s so confusing! For your safety, it’s important to learn the differences because they aren’t the same! So which one do you choose?

While many people use the terms carrot seed essential oil and carrot seed oil interchangeably, these products must be used differently. That’s why learning the Latin name and place of origin becomes essential for using the product safely. If the label doesn’t contain this information, we recommend you look for a supplier who’s more forthcoming.

Do not confuse Carrot Seed essential oil with carrot seed carrier oil or carrot seed oil. What are the differences?

Carrot Seed essential oil is distilled from the seed of the wild carrot plant — Queen Anne’s Lace — which is widely grown throughout Europe. It’s well known for its use in skincare to help moisturize and brighten your skin. What’s more, its earthy, warm, woody scent can also help relieve stress and anxiety. As with most essential oils, it’s meant to be used topically, not ingested. It’s noted for its antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

Carrot oil or Helio Carrot is a herbal oil made from macerated carrot roots soaked in carrier oil or vegetable oil such as sunflower, olive, or coconut oil to extract the nutritive value. Carrot oil is not an essential oil. It is nourishing and moisturizing for the skin and can be used topically and may be ingested, depending on what oil you use.

Cold pressed carrot seed oil is a fatty carrier oil, not an essential oil. It’s used in cosmetics or skin care preparations for its moisturizing, anti-aging properties.

Since e3 only carries distilled Carrot Seed essential oil, we will concentrate on the benefits and uses of Carrot Seed essential oil, not the other forms of carrot oil.

3 Ways to Use Carrot Seed Essential Oil for Skincare

The National Library of Medicine lists a number of studies that show its effectiveness against certain types of skin fungus and another study point to its use against bacteria, like Staphylococcus causing eczema outbreaks. Add these health benefits to its moisturizing effects and you quickly realize your skin will love Carrot Seed essential oil.

Facial Cream

Add 4-8 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to 2 ounces of your night-time facial moisturizer. Smooth on and let it soak in overnight.

Body Lotion

Add 6-30 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to 1 ounce of e3’s lotion. Apply to your skin, especially after a shower or bath.

Hyperpigmentation Spot Application 

Mix 1-4 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil in 1 teaspoon of carrier oil or aloe vera and apply to the area in need.

You could also use e3’s done-for-you blend that utilizes carrot seed essential oil, Skin Care Blend.

3 Ways to Use Carrot Seed Essential Oil for Emotional Support

Its warm, earthy scent is soothing, refreshing, and grounding, which you can use to diminish feelings of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, and stress.

Inhalation

 Put 1-3 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil on a tissue and inhale the aroma through your nose. Pause and inhale again. (Avoid touching your nose with the tissue.)

Facial Compress

Fill the sink with warm water. Add 1-3 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to the water and agitate the water to mix well. Lay in a clean washcloth, wring, and apply to face, with eyes closed, holding in place for 5-10 seconds. Repeat dipping, wringing, and applying – 3 times. Pat dry.

Skin Mist

 Mix 10-40 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil in 4 ounces of water in a mister bottle. Shake well before each use and avoid getting the mist into the eyes.

3 Ways to Use Carrot Seed Essential Oil for Hair Care

Anecdotal evidence points to carrot seed essential oil helping to make hair luxuriantly shinier, softer, and stronger.

Shampoo

Add 10-20 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to 8 ounces of shampoo and use normally.

Hair Conditioner

15-30 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to 8 ounces of conditioner and use normally.

Hair Rinse

Add 3–4 drops of Carrot Seed essential oil to 2 cups water and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. After rinsing out shampoo, shake the bottle and do a Carrot Rinse, leaving it in for 5 minutes, then end with a final rinse of clear water.

Is Carrot Seed essential oil photosensitizing?

Carrot seed contains a small amount of a compound called carotol, which has a slight potential to make skin more sensitive to sunlight. While most people don’t have adverse reactions, we suggest you do a patch test before using any new product on your skin to be on the safe side. This is especially so if you have sensitive or reactive skin.

Use e3’s dilution guidelines to mix a small amount of  Carrot Seed essential oil in a carrier oil or lotion. Then apply to a small area of skin, such as your inner forearm, and wait a day or two to see if your skin reacts.

Interestingly, carrot seed essential oil also contains a compound called umbelliferone, or 7-hydroxycoumarin, which absorbs UVB light and is commonly used in sunscreens. So far there’s no evidence that it blocks sunburn or protects the skin from cancer, so it would be unwise to expect carrot essential oil on its own to act as a sunscreen. However, this compound does help with hyperpigmentation and works to even out the skin tone.

Are you ready to try mixing Carrot Seed essential oil with other oils to create your own blend? You’ll find great blending tips, including worksheets to track your efforts, download our free workbook, The Art & Science of Blending Essential Oils. You’ll also get a coupon you can use for your next order.