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In This Article
What Is Vitamin A?
Benefits of Vitamin A
Side Effects of Vitamin A
How to Use It
Frequently Asked Questions
Lets cut right to the chase: Vitamin A is widely considered to be the most beloved hero ingredient in all of dermatology. Confused because you perhaps havent heard of it? Well, you probably have heard of retinol or retinoids, right? Theyre all one and the same; retinoids are the preformed, or active, form of vitamin A. Vitamin A is featured in many anti-aging serums and face oils. Ahead, we speak with two board-certified dermatologists and a cosmetic chemist to offer a deep dive on this A+ vitamin (pun intended).
Meet the Expert
Lucy Chen, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Riverchase Dermatology in Miami, FL.
David Petrillo is a cosmetic chemist and founder of Perfect Image.
Keep reading to find out more about vitamin As benefits for skin.
Vitamin A
Type of ingredient: Retinoid
Main benefits: Stimulates the production of collagen to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, stimulates cell turnover, decreases oil production, has an anti-inflammatory effect.
Who should use it: According to Gmyrek, everyone starting in their mid-20s (and even earlier if youre battling acne), except for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Depending on the formulation, vitamin A can potentially be too irritating for those with sensitive skin.
How often can you use it: Daily, or more specifically, nightly, once your skin has acclimated to the ingredient.
Works well with: Always pair vitamin A with sunscreen, as it can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.1Many formulas incorporate soothing ingredients such as chamomile, or hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid with vitamin A, to help increase the tolerability of a product, says Petrillo.
Dont use with: Alpha-hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid, complement vitamin As anti-aging effects nicely, though using the two in tandem can increase the likelihood of irritation so proceed with caution, says Gmyrek.
What Is Vitamin A?
"The terminology is so confusing and theres a ton of misinformation out there, but, according to the National Institute of Health, vitamin A is the name of a group of retinoids," explains Gmyrek. (So, for our purposes, lets use the two names synonymously). That being said, the term "retinoid" refers to three different states of vitamin A: retinol, retinal (or retinaldehyde), and retinoic acid, she adds. Ultimately, they all have the same types of skincare benefits; the difference lies in the conversion process they do or dont have to undergo in the skin to be effective, and subsequently how potent they are, she explains. Retinoic acid, which is what prescription-strength products contain, is the strongest, retinols are the weakest, and retinaldehyde falls in the middle.
Benefits of Vitamin A for Skin
Its an impressive list, for sure. "Vitamin A as a skincare ingredient has been more extensively studied than any other ingredient on the market today," says Gmyrek. "Retinoids were first used in dermatology in 1943." The point being, this is one tried-and-true ingredient with a long list of proven benefits and is effective both as a preventative and anti-aging option. More of its benefits include:
Boosts skin cell turnover: "Vitamin A promotes the shedding of old skin cells and stimulates the regeneration of newer, healthier, and smoother cells," says Chen.Improves skin texture and tone:Essentially, vitamin A acts as an exfoliant, improving both the tone (its great for combating hyperpigmentation) and texture of the surface of the skin.2
Stimulates collagen production: Along with working on the epidermis (aka the top layer of the skin), vitamin A is unique in that it also works in the dermis, the deeper layer, where it stimulates the production of collagen.3
Reduces fine lines and wrinkles: Vitamin A helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles and also improves and thickens the skin, explains Gmyrek. As if that werent enough, it simultaneously minimizes the destruction of existing collagen and elastin, she adds, giving you even more bang for your buck.Is an effective acne treatment: Theres good reason(s) why prescription-strength vitamin A (or retinoic acid) was first FDA-approved as an acne treatment: It helps normalize oil production and its exfoliating properties help prevent clogged pores, points out Chen.Treats post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation:
Prescription-strength vitamin A can also minimize the look of post-blemish discoloration if pimples do pop up, and Gmyrek adds that it also has an anti-inflammatory effect that eliminates redness.
Side Effects of Vitamin A
The bad news is that all of these aforementioned potent effects come with some pretty problematic potential pitfalls. "Side effects include irritation, dryness, and photosensitivity, and in some cases even blistering and peeling," notes Petrillo. It is worth noting, however, that the less potent, over-the-counter retinoids also come with a reduced likelihood and intensity of side effects (at least for most people). And the good news is that these effects usually will resolve once your skin acclimates to the ingredient, a process technically known as retinization.
How to Use It
Above all else, start slowly. "This is a marathon, not a sprint," warns Gmyrek. "More vitamin A isnt better, and it will increase your chances of irritation, causing you to stop using it." Try using it every third night for a week or two, then increasing to every other night, and finally to nightly use. You only need a tiny amount—about a pea-size—for your entire face. Apply it onto clean skin, and make sure that youre using gentle and mild products in the rest of your routine to not overwhelm your skin, suggests Chen, at least until your skin is used to the vitamin A.
Keep in mind that patience is a virtue. According to Gmyrek, it will take a minimum of eight to 12 weeks to start to see improvements in your skin.
How often can I use vitamin A?
Slow and steady wins the race with vitamin A. Start using it once every three days, then increase to every other day, and then every day as your skin grows accustomed to it.
Is vitamin A okay for sensitive skin?
Vitamin A can be irritating, so its best for those with sensitive skin to think about using it in moderation. Its best if you start with a low percentage product or one thats formulated with skin-nourishing ingredients like chamomile, aloe, or green tea extract.
Are vitamin A and retinol the same?
Think of vitamin A as the umbrella term for "retinoids." Underneath that umbrella, you have three different versions of vitamin A. There is Retinal—the ingredient used in prescription-strength formulas—retinoic acid, and retinol, the weakest of the three.
Kowalska J, Rok J, Rzepka Z, Wrześniok D. Drug-Induced Photosensitivity-From Light and Chemistry to Biological Reactions and Clinical Symptoms. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2021;14(8):723. doi:10.3390/ph14080723
Sofen B, Prado G, Emer J. Melasma and Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Management Update and Expert Opinion. Skin Therapy Lett. 2016;21(1):1-7
Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, et al. A Comparative Study of the Effects of Retinol and Retinoic Acid on Histological, Molecular, and Clinical Properties of Human Skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016;15(1):49-57. doi:10.1111/jocd.12193
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