It started with a simple TikTok video, four large carrots shaved into ribbons, mixed with garlic, sesame oil, lime juice, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, and green onions. The resulting “crunchy and addictive” salad quickly racked up millions of views under the viral trend #EatYourRetinol. But is it just social media hype, or can what’s on your plate really show up on your face?The trend encourages eating vitamin A-rich foods, like carrots, to support skin health from the inside out. “Skincare always starts within,” says Johanna Salazar, registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of Healing Nutrition, as noted by Martha Stewart. But experts urge a balanced view: while diet can support your skin, it’s not a magic replacement for topical care.What’s in the Carrot Salad That’s Good for Your Skin?The base of the salad, carrots, are packed with beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, known for boosting skin cell turnover and promoting a radiant complexion. Pairing it with a fat, like sesame oil, helps your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamin. Lime juice adds vitamin C, key for collagen production, while garlic and green onion offer prebiotics that support gut health, which in turn impacts skin health.Sesame seeds sprinkled on top bring in vitamin E and fiber, which contribute to skin hydration and a healthy glow.“It’s a nice mix of ingredients that all play small but beneficial roles in skin support,” says Salazar.Dermatologists Weigh In: Not a Cure-AllLauren Kole, M.D., associate professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, appreciates the effort to eat for skin health—but with a word of caution.“Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can negatively affect the hair, skin, and nails,” she says. “But eating an excess doesn’t necessarily make your skin better.”Kole points out that while beta-carotene from carrots is helpful, it's not strong enough to replace prescription retinol or other topical treatments for conditions like acne or hyperpigmentation. “Diet is not a substitute for proper skin care,” she emphasizes.Beyond Carrots: Other Skin-Loving FoodsExperts agree that eating for your skin isn’t just about one salad. A variety of fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats are essential. Salazar and Kole both recommend incorporating:Dark-colored fruits like berries and red grapes, which are high in antioxidants that fight oxidative skin damage.Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and chard, which are rich in vitamin C and help with collagen production.Vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, and cauliflower, which support healthy pigmentation and skin repair.Healthy fats including avocados, walnuts, flaxseeds, and omega-3-rich foods to reduce inflammation and maintain skin moisture.According to Kole, diets like the Mediterranean diet—rich in plant-based foods and good fats, have shown potential skin benefits in clinical settings.Don’t Ditch Your Skincare Just YetWhile the “Eat Your Retinol” movement has its heart in the right place, Salazar and Kole stress that no food trend should replace professional skincare or personalized advice. Lizzy Davis, Ph.D., a dietitian and assistant professor at UAB, advises people to approach such trends with balance.“Cooking carrots, for example, doesn’t reduce their skin-friendly fiber,” she notes. “It can actually make them easier to digest and still beneficial.”Davis also warns against over-relying on TikTok or Instagram for skincare advice. “Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian,” she says. “Social media is convenient, but it can’t give you a plan tailored to your needs.”