Carotene vs. Keratin — What's the Difference?

A pigment that gives plants and fruits their orange and yellow colors.

Provides structural strength and protection to epithelial cells.

An antioxidant that can be converted into vitamin A in the human body.

Involved in the healing process and cell regeneration.

Essential for photosynthesis in plants.

A protein that makes up hair, skin, and nails in humans and animals.

Cannot be synthesized by humans and must be ingested through diet.

Synthesized in the body from amino acids.

Associated with reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Key component in the physical barrier against environmental damage.

The term carotene (also carotin, from the Latin carota, "carrot") is used for many related unsaturated hydrocarbon substances having the formula C40Hx, which are synthesized by plants but in general cannot be made by animals (with the exception of some aphids and spider mites which acquired the synthesizing genes from fungi). Carotenes are photosynthetic pigments important for photosynthesis.

Keratin () is one of a family of fibrous structural proteins known as scleroproteins. α-Keratin is a type of keratin found in vertebrates.

An orange or red plant pigment found in carrots and many other plant structures. It is a terpenoid hydrocarbon with several isomers, including beta-carotene.

A fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, etc.

An orange-yellow to red crystalline pigment, C40H56, found in animal tissue and certain plants, such as carrots and squash. It exists in several isomeric forms and is converted to vitamin A in the liver.

Any of a class of filamentous proteins that are abundant in the cytoskeleton of vertebrate epithelial cells and are the main constituents of the outer layer of skin and tough epidermal structures such as hair, nails, hooves, feathers, and claws.

(organic chemistry) A class of tetraterpene plant pigments; they vary in colour from yellow, through orange to red, this colour originating in a chain of alternating single and double bonds.

Material composed principally of keratin proteins.

(organic chemistry) Specifically, a number of isomers of tetraterpene hydrocarbons, C₄₀H₅₆, (especially beta-carotene), present in carrots etc, which are converted into vitamin A in the liver.

(protein) The protein of which hair and nails are composed.

An orange isomer of an unsaturated hydrocarbon found in many plants; is converted into vitamin A in the liver

A sulfur-containing fibrous protein constituting the main structural protein of hard epidermal tissues, such as horn, hair, feathers, nails, claws, hoofs, and the like. It is an insoluble substance, and, unlike elastin, is not dissolved even by gastric or pancreatic juice. By decomposition with sulphuric acid it yields leucine and tyrosine plus various other acid-stable amino acids. The amino acid composition varies, but it usually has a high percentage of cystine, which stabilizes and insolubilizes the protein by forming intrachain linkages. A softer form of keratin is present in the epidermis and whalebone. Called also epidermose.

Yellow or orange-red fat-soluble pigments in plants

A fibrous scleroprotein that occurs in the outer layer of the skin and in horny tissues such as hair feathers nails and hooves

Keratin provides structural strength to hair, skin, and nails, protecting against environmental damage and contributing to cell regeneration.

Keratin is a structural protein found in humans and animals, making up hair, skin, and nails, providing strength and protection.

Carotene benefits the body by serving as an antioxidant and a precursor to vitamin A, essential for vision, immune function, and skin health.

Keratin is synthesized in the body from amino acids, requiring a diet rich in protein.

Carotene is a plant pigment responsible for the orange and yellow colors of many fruits and vegetables, and it serves as a precursor to vitamin A in the human body.

No, the body cannot produce carotene; it must be obtained through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.

Yes, consuming carotene can improve skin health due to its role in vitamin A production and antioxidant properties.

Increasing intake of carotene-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens can boost carotene intake.

While supplements can be beneficial, getting carotene from natural food sources is often recommended for its additional nutrients and fiber.

Cooking can actually increase the availability of carotene from plant foods by breaking down cell walls.

While keratin itself is not consumed directly, eating a protein-rich diet supports the body's production of keratin.

No, keratin is also crucial for the health and strength of skin and nails, in addition to hair.

Keratin strengthens the skin's barrier, protecting against physical and environmental damage.

Excessive carotene intake, typically from supplements, can cause carotenemia, a condition where the skin turns orange, but it's not usually harmful.

While keratin treatments can smooth and strengthen hair, improper application or excessive use may cause damage.