Carrot Oil is a powerful tanning accelerator. It
also naturally reduces the damaging effects of
UV radiation. Look for carrot oil products that
have a deep, golden color (not orange) and contain
only vegetable or nut based oils, and no mineral
oil.
Additonally, BRAZEN! carrot oil:
naturally contains over 600 antioxidants
contains no dyes, self-tanners, or mineral
oil
will not turn your skin orange
will make your tan the envy of all your friends!
CARROT OIL, THE
NATURAL TREND IN SUNCARE
Have you been to South Beach lately? How about Myrtle
Beach or South Padre Island? If so, you've likely
witnessed the multitude of sun worshippers striving
for that perfect bronze tan. But, one might ask,
how could this be when the dangers of sun exposure
are so widely publicized? The answer: tan is "in"
and sunscreens are perceived to eliminate the harmful
effects of ultra-violet radiation (UVR). Recently
though, studies show that some chemical sunscreens
may not prevent the more serious adverse effects
of sunning, even though they do prevent sunburn
when used properly. This is a serious issue because
consumers relying only on traditional sunscreens
may have a false sense of security. The greatest
response to this concern is a body of research suggesting
that topical use of antioxidants, which are specifically
mixed carotenoids from natural sources, in combination
with traditional sunscreens will help to protect
the skin from photo-aging, sunburn and even cancer.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that exposure
to UVR can lead to deadly skin cancer, nearly 60
percent of adults under the age of 25 admit that
they actively seek a tan, and up to 2 million people
visit tanning salons every year(1). In the United
States, skin cancer is the most prevalent form of
cancer and is striking an ever-younger population.
At over 700,000 new cases reported per year(2),
skin cancer occurrences among Americans are almost
equal in number to annual incidence of all other
malignancies combined. Of even greater concern,
it seems that some chemical sunscreens do not protect
against skin cancer. In fact, recent studies indicate
that users of sunscreen have an increased risk of
some types of skin cancer(3).
How can this brazen quest for a beautiful tan and
the need for protection from UVR be reconciled?
You won’t find the answer in any newly engineered
chemicals. Nature holds the solution in Carrot Oil.
Suncare products containing naturally extracted
Carrot Oil quickly produce a beautiful golden tan
and better protect the skin against the damaging
effects of UVR than chemical sunscreens alone(4).
Carrot Oil is a golden colored extract from carrots
with extraordinary skin protection and conditioning
benefits derived from the high quantities of oil-soluble
carotenoids it contains. Carotenoids are a class
of easily assimilated antioxidants, which are present
in a wide range of fruits and vegetables, but are
most abundant in carrots. Antioxidants protect human
cells from harmful free-radical attack. Free-radicals
are stray oxygen molecules that attack healthy cell
walls and react with polyunsaturated fats to create
a chain reaction of unlimited free-radical regeneration.
Free-radicals are produced by a wide range of environmental
pollutants, including UVR. If left unchecked by
antioxidants, free-radicals damage both the structure
and function of cell membranes, resulting in premature
aging, cancer and an array of degenerative diseases.
Carotenoids, when either topically applied or ingested,
directly reduce the damaging effects of UVR. Specifically,
carotenoids have been found to enhance the body’s
immune response to UVR, decreasing skin damage from
ultraviolet exposure(5). Carotenoids have even been
proven to inhibit the proliferation of various types
of cancer cells(6). Carrots contain over 600 identified
carotenoids, making them an unparalleled source
of antioxidants. Carrot Oil, derived from pure carrot
extract, is the most potent source of the highest
concentration of carotenoids available. Suncare
products with only Beta-carotene (a single carotenoid),
although possibly beneficial, do not contain the
wide range of antioxidants contained in Carrot Oil.
In addition to carotenoids, Carrot Oil contains
other powerful antioxidants such as tocopheryl,
or vitamin E. Studies have shown that topical application
of vitamin E may directly reduce many harmful effects
of UVR, enhance skin immunity and help heal a sunburn(7).
Carrot Oil also acts as a natural tanning enhancer,
producing a visibly golden tan in a short amount
of time. The natural color of Carrot Oil is deep
gold and will appear so in solutions containing
effective concentrations (between 2% to 10%). Either
alone or when combined with other tanning enhancers,
such as tyrosine or riboflavin, suncare products
containing effective concentrations of Carrot Oil
provide a noticeably golden, even tan without any
unwanted orange coloration.
It must be noted that the beneficial effects of
Carrot Oil may be diminished if placed in a mineral
oil base. Mineral oil, commonly known as baby oil,
is a petroleum derivative that decreases the absorption
of and depletes the body's reserves of vitamins,
especially vitamin E(8). During exposure to UVR,
this is of special concern. Of even greater concern,
the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services have published findings
that mineral oil has been determined to cause cancer
in humans(9). Unfortunately for the consumer, most
suncare products are almost wholly comprised of
mineral oil because it serves as an inexpensive
base. However, there are Carrot Oil suncare products
available that do not contain mineral oil.
In summary, Carrot Oil used in combination with
topical sunscreens provides more optimal protection
against skin cancer and photo-aging than chemical
sunscreens alone. In order to maximize the positive
effects, look for Carrot Oil products that expressly
do not contain mineral oil and that have a deep
golden color upon application to the skin. Analysis
of the Florida suncare market shows that there is
widespread demand for products containing Carrot
Oil. Although price points for Carrot Oil products
are higher than traditional suncare products, consumers
appear more than willing to pay for the added benefits.
References:
1 Schweitzer, C., "Natural Mixed Carotenoids
Provide ‘Inside-Outside’ Sun Protection,"
DCI, 40-44, Dec. 1997.
2 "Skin Cancer – An Undeclared Epidemic,"
American Academy of Dermatology, June 1998; http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/PIPs/SkinCa.html.
3 Garland, C.F. , et al. "Could Sunscreens
Increase Melanoma Risk?" American Journal of
Public Health, 82: 614-15, 1992. McGregor, J.M.,
Young, A.R., "Sunscreens, suntans and skin
cancer," BMJ, v.312; n. 7047: 1621-2, June
29, 1996. Aesoph, L., "A Holistic Approach
to Skin Protection," Nutrition Science News,
April 1998; http://www.nutritionsciencenews.com.
4 See generally, Aesoph and "Carotenoids: What
they are and what they do," Carotenoid Online
Factbook, 1998; http://www.VERIS-online.org/cawhtfbk.htm.
5 Bendich, A., Journal of Nutrition, 119: 112-115,
Jan. 1989. Gollnick, H., et all. "Systemic
beta carotene plus topical UV sunscreen are an optimal
protection against harmful effects of natural UV-sunlight:
results of the Berlin-Eilath study," European
Journal of Dermatology, 6:200-205, 1996.
6 Id. See also, Zimmerman, M., "Phytochemicals:
Nutrients of the Future"; http://www.realtime.net/anr/phytonu.html.
See also, The Carotenoids Page; http://dcb-carot.unibe.chfunct2.htm.
7 Gensler, H.L. & Magdaleno, M. "Topical
vitamin E inhibition of immunosuppression and tumorigenesis
induced by ultraviolet irradiation," Nutrition
and Cancer, 15: 97-106, 1991. Trevithick, J.R.,
et al. "Topical tocopheryl acetate reduces
post-UVB, sunburn-associated erythema, edema and
skin sensitivity in hairless mice," Arch Bioc
Biophysics, 296: 575-82, Aug. 1, 1992. See also,
Aesoph.
8 "Vitamin E – Drug Interactions,"
VERIS Online; http://www.VERIS-online.org/cgi-bin/fulldisp.prl?/drgitefb.htm.
9 International Agency for Research on Cancer, World
Health Organization, Monograph Vols. 1-60, 1972-1994
and Supp. 7, 1987; U.S. Dept. of Health and Human
Services, National Toxicology Program, 6th Annual
Report on Carcinogens, 1991. Mineral Oil has been
determined to be a Category One carcinogen. Category
One is for substances (such as arsenic, asbestos,
and tobacco products) for which there is sufficient
evidence for a causal relationship with cancer in
humans, i.e. a confirmed human carcinogen.
