What are the benefits of using baobab oil and carrot seed oil in your skincare routine?

In Forever’s Sonya Daily Skincare range, a wealth of botanicals have been carefully formulated to fit your skincare needs. Two new introductions are the lesser-known plant oils of carrot seed and baobab seed.

So where do these skincare ingredients come from?

Carrot seed oil is an extract from the seed of the carrot plant (Daucus carota), also known as ‘Queen Anne's Lace’. Although their names are similar, carrot seed oil is not pressed from the root vegetable that we commonly call a carrot, but rather another part of the plant.

The baobab tree (adansonia digitata) is called the ‘Tree of Life’ in remote parts of Africa for its almost mythical powers as it provides food, water and shelter, as well as an abundance of nutrition. Regarded as the largest succulent plant in the world, these iconic trees can live up to 2,000 years old and the biggest baobab tree ever recorded has a circumference of over 43 metres.

Baobab fruit is a hidden gem in the superfood world and the powder has been available in most health food stores for quite some time. The fruit has a tart flavour which works perfectly in porridge and in smoothies, and it’s one of my favourite natural vitamin C sources. Furthermore the leaves, which are very rich in nutrients, are harvested for their essential oils as they are fantastic when applied topically to the skin.

Oils that balance oils

When you have oily skin, the last thing you want is more oil, right? Actually, that’s not completely true, but it depends on the type of oil you apply. The best skincare routines should include oils. Yes, some oils will clog the pores and wreak havoc on the skin, but others help to create stability in an individual’s skin type.

Whether you have dry or oily skin it doesn’t matter, because carrot seed oil has the ability to balance both skin types! It gives skin just enough moisture without clogging pores and helps to stimulate the sebaceous glands. When applied on the skin, it opens your pores to create a balance in the production of oils.

Baobab oil, on the other hand, is known for its quick absorption and low comedogenic rate, meaning it doesn’t clog your pores. Both carrot seed oil and baobab oil are non-greasy when applied as part of your daily skincare routine. They both contain fatty acids which help maintain the integrity of your skin cell membranes as well as protecting from moisture loss in the barrier function of your skin.

Rich in vitamin C and E

Vitamin C and E are often known as ‘superheroes for the skin’ and are found in high quantities in both carrot seed and baobab oils.

Rich in powerful antioxidants, vitamins C and E are some of the best topical nutrient infusions for the skin. Baobab in particular is high in vitamin C (which assists with skin elasticity), containing approximately six times more vitamin C than an orange.

In Africa, baobab oil is often used to protect the skin against the harsh desert environment due to its high levels of antioxidants and fatty acids. Antioxidants are essential in repairing the damages done to your skin cells by oxidants and stopping them from doing any further harm.

Vitamin C also helps promote the production of healthy collagen in the skin, the main protein that starts to decrease as we age. A vitamin C boost helps to strengthen the production of collagen, which equals a healthy, youthful look and keeps the skin resilient by protecting it against the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Like vitamin C, vitamin E is an antioxidant. Its main function in skincare, as part of a carrier oil, is to protect against sun damage by helping to absorb the harmful UV light from the sun.

The vitamin E in carrot seed and baobab oils has the ability to replace lost moisture, and renew and restore your skin. It rejuvenates skin cells, speeds up skin recovery processes, and encourages new growth while bringing a refreshed beautiful glow to your skin.

 Gel-carrier system take the oils where they are needed most

In one of our previous blogs, we explained the revolutionary gel-based carrier used in our Sonya Daily Skincare. This gel, paired with aloe as a carrier, helps the oils to go further into the skin than they would be able to on their own. This means that your skin gets the nourishment it needs whilst also balancing its own natural oils.

If you have oily or combination skin and you’ve tried our Sonya Daily Skincare, let us know in the comments if you think your skin feels better balanced.

 Written by Jeannie McGinnis, Forever’s skincare specialist