Vitamin A

Vitamin A, also known as retinol, is a powerful ingredient in skincare. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin A is a popular ingredient in many skincare products because it has been shown to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even out skin tone as well as being a medical treatment for acne. Vitamin A is a potent antioxidant helping to protect against free radical damage. It also promotes collagen synthesis by stimulation of fibroblasts within the skin. It can help to speed up or accelerate healing and promote a healthy dermis and epidermis due to its rapid effects on cell turn over.  It can also help to keep the skin hydrated giving it a radiant glow.  As we age, our skin’s natural ability to shed dead skin cells slows down, leading to a buildup of dead skin cells on the surface of the skin. This buildup can make the skin appear dull and can also clog pores, leading to breakouts. Vitamin A helps to speed up the skin’s natural cell turnover process, resulting in smoother, brighter, and more even-toned skin.

It is recommended to gradually increase the strength of retinol to condition the skin as starting on too strong a formulation can lead to a ‘retinol reaction’ which can cause redness, irritation, dryness and flaking of the skin.

Vitamin A is available in various strengths and derivatives, such as retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, retinaldehyde, retinoic acid and retinol.