The saying “you are what you eat” goes back centuries—possibly all the way back to ancient Greek. After all, what we put into our bodies has the power to impact our health, mood, and overall wellbeing.

The latest manifestation of that age-old adage? A certain carrot salad that’s been making its way across social media. Featuring thin, wide ribbons of raw carrots seasoned with green onions, garlic, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and hot chili peppers, the salad has been hailed as an anti-aging recipe for a few summers now.

The recipe originally started spreading on TikTok via Cassie Yeung and appears in the chef’s cookbook, Bad B*tch in the Kitch—though obviously shredded carrot salads have long been popular from Korea to Morocco to France.

The combination of ingredients in Yeung’s recipe has followers raving. The fresh, seasonal side dish is said to raise vitamin A levels in the body and stimulate melanocyte and retinol production. People call it the “skincare salad” and say it helps them fight wrinkles and get a healthy glow.

It’s easy to understand all the fuss. After all, carrots are not only delicious, they do offer impressive nutritional benefits for the entire body. However, is there any truth to the salad’s wrinkle-fighting skincare claims? Here’s what to know.

The myth of edible skincare

It is true that “we are what we eat.” Proper nutrition significantly affects our overall well-being, protecting against cardiovascular disease, keeping blood cholesterol levels stable, and promoting longevity.

The edible skincare approach, however, is a bit misleading. On social media, the amount of recipes that promote better skin, the eradication of acne, and the improvement of gut health are staggering—and definitely compelling. The trend is the result of a growing interest in overall nutrition and likely due to the cosmetic industry promoting a corrective approach with products that are meant to cover, erase, undo, or deflate. Now consumers seem to be seeking information on their own with the desire to personalize their wellness routines.

It makes sense. Taking a holistic approach to beauty is a great idea and certainly valid. What we eat can provide nutrients that support skin health and well-being from within—just think about the idea that reducing sugar eliminates glycation, a process that leads to the stiffening of collagen and the development of wrinkles and skin laxity.