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Sabon Body Lotion with Carrot: About the Antioxidant Benefits of Carrots

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Sabon Body Lotion with Carrot ($23, sabonnyc.com) is a creamy lotion that gets a carotenoid-boost from the inclusion of carrot seed oil. While it says it’s for all skin types, its main emollient is a comedogenic one, so those with body acne issues might want to skip this one and consider alternative carrot lotions.

Carrot Seed Oil’s Anti-Aging Benefits

Ripe fresh carrots on a white background.Carrot seed oil is known for containing potent amounts of antioxidants, rivaling those in cranberry, black caraway, and hemp seed oil (Natural Product Radiance). In particular, it’s known for its phenomenal free-radical scavenging and oxygen-radical absorbing abilities (Trends in Food Science and Technology).

But carrot oil has something else: carotenoids. The same vitamins that give brightly colored vegetables their hues can also do phenomenal things for your skin. Carotenoids applied topically absorb into the skin and are slowly released through sweat and sebum (Journal of Dermatological Science). These greatly boost the antioxidant potential for skin, which explains many of their beneficial effects (Laser Physics Letter). Carotenoids help prevent signs of aging, even out skin tone, and protect skin from UV damage (Life Enhancement Magazine).

Isopropyl Myristate: The First Ingredient after Water

Isopropyl Myristate is used in cosmetics as an emollient and a lubricant. Unfortunately, it’s comedogenic. Tests on rabbit ears sowed that isopropyl myristate and its analogs are pore clogging (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology). It’s effects are worse with larger quantities, and many dermatologists suggest that you avoid it if you’re acne prone (University of Mississippi Health Care).

That it’s comedogenic might not be problematic for everyone in a body lotion, but those prone to body acne could find themselves breaking out as a result of using lotion with isopropyl myristate (JDDG).

Fatty Alcohols in Skin Care

Sabon’s Body Lotion has two fatty alcohols: cetearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol. Not only are fatty alcohols not something to feat, they’re something that can be very moisturizing for skin. You can remember fatty alcohols with the mnemonic device “5 C’s steer left.” They are: Cetyl alcohol, Cetearyl alcohol, Cetostearyl alcohol, Cetyl alcohol 40, C12-15 alcohols, Stearyl alcohol, and Lanolin alcohol (The DERMAdoctor Skinstruction Manual).

Both of these fatty alcohols come from coconut, and work as emollients, and also improve the viscosity, in cosmetics (Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, PubChem).

Bottom Line

Yes_to_CarrotsSabon Body Lotion with Carrot’s carrot seed oil is awesome and I like that it includes fatty acid. I’m not a fan of isopropyl myristate as the first ingredient after water, and if you have body acne, this isn’t your best choice. Otherwise, you might find it enjoyable, but it certainly won’t do too much heavy lifting if you need serious moisture. If you’re looking for something that gets a boost from carrots (and other carotenoid-rich ingredients too!) I think that Yes to Carrots Body Lotion ($12.99, amazon.com) — which has fatty alcohols, super-moisturizer glycerin, and safflower seed oil — is also a good choice.

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