Quick Take
A social media post suggests that applying beetroot juice to your face reduces wrinkles in a meaningful way. We fact checked and found the claim to be false.
The Claim
An Instagram post claims that “Applying beetroot juice ice cube on the face helps reduce wrinkles.
Fact Check
What leads to the formation of wrinkles?
Wrinkles can be influenced by genetics or develop gradually with age. They usually appear as fine lines or deeper folds on areas such as the face, neck, and hands. Both ageing and environmental factors play a major role in their development.
As we grow older, the skin slowly loses collagen, elastin, and moisture. This makes it less firm, less stretchy, and more likely to crease. The outer layer of the skin also becomes thinner, weakening the support structure underneath. At the same time, increased oxidative stress and slower skin cell renewal further reduce the skin’s ability to repair itself. Together, these changes cause the skin to sag, become more fragile, and form permanent lines and wrinkles over time.
External factors can speed up this process. Habits and exposures such as smoking, air pollution, prolonged sun exposure, dehydration, and repeated facial expressions all contribute to earlier and more noticeable skin ageing.
Does beetroot juice actually reduce wrinkles when applied to the skin?
No. There’s no solid clinical evidence in humans showing that rubbing beetroot juice on the face reduces wrinkles. Wrinkles form mainly because of collagen breakdown, loss of elasticity, and long-term sun exposure. To prove an ingredient reduces wrinkles, we’d need well-designed human studies (with before–after measurements, control groups, and enough participants). That kind of evidence doesn’t exist for plain beetroot juice.
Some lab and animal research suggests beetroot compounds could influence skin ageing pathways (like oxidative stress). For example, a rat study using a beetroot extract cream reported changes linked to collagen breakdown after UVB exposure, but animal studies don’t reliably translate to real-life facial wrinkles in people.
Dr Rashi Soni, Consulting Dermatologist at Rashi Hospital, notes that beetroot does contain some nutrients that support skin health, including vitamin C, which is involved in melanin regulation. However, she explains that the amount of vitamin C present in beetroot juice is very low compared with the concentrations used in skincare products that have been scientifically proven to work.
As a result, applying beetroot juice directly to the skin is unlikely to have any real effect on wrinkles. She also emphasises that it is always important to consult a dermatologist before trying untested or home-based skincare methods for wrinkle prevention or treatment.
Could beetroot’s antioxidants help at all?
Unlikely. Beetroot contains pigments called betalains, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in research settings. In theory, antioxidants can support skin by reducing damage from “oxidative stress” (one contributor to visible ageing).
But here’s the catch: antioxidants only help wrinkles if they’re stable, absorbed into the skin, and present at an effective dose,and beetroot juice isn’t designed for any of that. It oxidises easily, and isn’t formulated to penetrate the skin barrier well. So while beetroot is interesting on paper, rubbing a beetroot juice ice cube on your face is a big leap.
Can beetroot juice irritate or harm facial skin?
Yes. Dr Sachin Gupta, Dermatologist at Amrita Hospital, said, “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean “skin-safe”. Beetroot can trigger allergy in some people (rare, but reported), and anything acidic or plant-based can cause stinging, redness, or a rash, especially on sensitive skin or around the eyes. Also, homemade mixes come with hygiene issues (bacteria contamination), which can worsen breakouts or irritation.
What actually helps reduce the look of wrinkles more reliably?
Yes, proven options exist. If the goal is fewer visible wrinkles, the most evidence-backed topical approach is:
- Daily sunscreen (because UV exposure is a major driver of premature wrinkles)
- Topical retinoids, especially tretinoin/retinoic acid, which has consistent evidence for improving signs of photoageing including fine wrinkles.
Moisturisers (including those with humectants like glycerin/hyaluronic acid) can also temporarily plump and soften lines, but they don’t rebuild collagen the way prescription retinoids can.
Since wrinkles develop due to collagen breakdown, loss of elastin, long-term sun exposure, oxidative stress, and natural ageing that affects the deeper layers of the skin, relying on rubbing an ice cube on the face is unlikely to be effective. The cold may temporarily numb the skin or make it appear slightly tighter, but this effect is short-lived and does not address the underlying causes of wrinkles. Therefore, wrinkle care should be based on treatments that are clinically proven, rather than following viral or social media skincare trends.
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