Vitamin A in Cosmetics

Vitamin A is a nutritional supplement, also known as retinol. It is renowned as a youth-regenerating vitamin and is often used in health and beauty products because of its anti-aging properties. It increases cell turnover, stimulates collagen production and, when taken internally, supports bodily functions and the immune system.

Learn about other beauty-enhancing vitamins on our vitamin E and vitamin C pages!

See our vitamin a guide to answer your questions like what is vitamin A and who shouldn’t use vitamin A beauty products.

Brands With Vitamin A Products

  • Bumble and bumble
  • The Ordinary
  • Alpha-H
  • PIXI
  • Murad
  • Paula's Choice
  • Antipodes
  • Isle of Paradise

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301 products found
John Frieda Detox & Repair Shampoo
John Frieda Detox & Repair Shampoo
$8.09
The Ordinary Multi Peptide + HA Serum
The Ordinary Multi Peptide + HA Serum
$35.64
Q+A Rosehip Cleansing Oil
Q+A Rosehip Cleansing Oil
$12.90
e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Face Primer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Poreless Face Primer
$10.75
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
Murad Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream
$101.46
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Midnight Reboot Serum
$91.74
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
Paula's Choice 1% Retinol Booster
$62.58
Q+A Niacinamide Daily Toner
Q+A Niacinamide Daily Toner
$10.26
Cantu Avocado Hydrating Cream Conditioner
Cantu Avocado Hydrating Cream Conditioner
$9.67
Murad Renewing Eye Cream
Murad Renewing Eye Cream
$102.54
Cantu Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Cantu Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
$9.67
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream With Lime Pearl AHAs
Alpha-H Liquid Gold Firming Eye Cream With Lime Pearl AHAs
$77.70
Cantu Avocado Curling Cream
Cantu Avocado Curling Cream
$10.75
Solgar Super Cod Liver Oil Complex Softgels
Solgar Super Cod Liver Oil Complex Softgels
$18.90
Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser
Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Cleanser
$9.67
Bumble and bumble Bb.Curl Starter Set
Bumble and bumble Bb.Curl Starter Set
$37.74
Antipodes Lime Caviar Collagen-Rich Firming Cream
Antipodes Lime Caviar Collagen-Rich Firming Cream
$45.30
Isle of Paradise 30 Minute Express Self-Tanning Mousse
Isle of Paradise 30 Minute Express Self-Tanning Mousse
$28.08
e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Lacquer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Lip Lacquer
$4.27
Q+A Vitamin A.C.E Warming Gel Mask
Q+A Vitamin A.C.E Warming Gel Mask
$10.75
Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment
Trilogy Bakuchiol+ Booster Treatment
$39.90
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer
e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Face Primer
$10.75
Trilogy Instant Glow Rosehip Oil
Trilogy Instant Glow Rosehip Oil
$44.22
Solgar Calcium Magnesium Plus Zinc Tablets
Solgar Calcium Magnesium Plus Zinc Tablets
$14.03
Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster
Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster
$21.54
Q+A Vitamin C Eye Cream
Q+A Vitamin C Eye Cream
$9.67
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Olaplex No. 4 & 5 Shampoo & Conditioner Set
$56.00
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm
$57.18
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
$70.14
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
$14.00
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Olaplex No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
$14.00
Bellamianta Tanning Liquid
Bellamianta Tanning Liquid
$21.54
-27%
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream
The INKEY List Retinol Eye Cream
$11.49 $15.66
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
$23.22
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
$89.00
-30%
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
Alpha-H Clear Skin Daily Face & Body Wash With 2% Salicylic Acid & Tea Tree
$35.91 $51.30
Redken All Soft Heavy Cream
Redken All Soft Heavy Cream
$39.42
-26%
Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm
Kevyn Aucoin Foundation Balm
$38.02 $50.70
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask
Paula's Choice Skin Recovery Hydrating Treatment Mask
$31.26
-22%
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
Paula's Choice Peptide Booster
$16.14 $20.46
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick
Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick
$9.67
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Riche Multi-Purpose Nourishing Oil
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Riche Multi-Purpose Nourishing Oil
$37.74
-30%
Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream
Antipodes Joyful Hand & Body Cream
$24.91 $35.58
Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins
Hairburst Chewable Hair Vitamins
$14.75
Augustinus Bader The Cream
Augustinus Bader The Cream
$89.00
Redken All Soft Conditioner
Redken All Soft Conditioner
$26.94
Alpha-H Absolute Lip Perfector
Alpha-H Absolute Lip Perfector
$26.94
Bellamianta Crystal Clear Tanning Mousse
Bellamianta Crystal Clear Tanning Mousse
$26.94
Embryolisse Moisturizing Lait-Creme Sensitive
Embryolisse Moisturizing Lait-Creme Sensitive
$28.02
Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinoid Night Oil
Pestle & Mortar Superstar Retinoid Night Oil
$82.02
Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily Moisturizer SPF 50+ With Pomegranate Seed Oil
Alpha-H Protection Plus Daily Moisturizer SPF 50+ With Pomegranate Seed Oil
$51.78
-50%
Lusso Tan Flawless Tanning Kit
Lusso Tan Flawless Tanning Kit
$15.64 $31.26
-36%
TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum
TAN-LUXE Super Glow Hyaluronic Self Tan Serum
$30.18 $46.44
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Repair Cream
$43.14
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
Paula's Choice C15 Super Booster
$60.42
Isle of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow Lotion
Isle of Paradise Happy Tan Everyday Gradual Glow Lotion
$19.98
-50%
The Gruff Stuff The Eye Balm
The Gruff Stuff The Eye Balm
$13.48 $26.94
-30%
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
$15.09 $21.54
-30%
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Concentrate Oil
$49.10 $70.14
-25%
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Water
$20.21 $26.94
-23%
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
$10.50 $13.50
-22%
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
$9.80 $12.42
-21%
Bellamianta Tanning Lotion
Bellamianta Tanning Lotion
$20.30 $25.38
-21%
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
The Ordinary Resveratrol 3% + Ferulic Acid 3%
$9.00 $11.34
-21%
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% In Squalane
$7.50 $9.45
-10%
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
The Ordinary No Brainer Set
$28.25 $31.26
-9%
Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Conditioner
Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Conditioner
$8.89 $9.67
Murad Oil & Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45
Murad Oil & Pore Control Mattifier SPF 45
$57.18
Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex
Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex
$44.28
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Shampoo
L'Oréal Professionnel Serie Expert Volumetry Shampoo
$18.30
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse
SOSU by SJ Dripping Gold Luxury Tanning Mousse
$25.86
Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
Antipodes Avocado Pear Nourishing Night Cream
$44.22
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum
Paula's Choice Resist Intensive Wrinkle Repair Retinol Serum
$51.78
Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol Cream
Institut Esthederm Intensive Retinol Cream
$65.87
Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser
Antipodes Grace Gentle Cream Cleanser
$32.34
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmering Dry Oil
Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Shimmering Dry Oil
$30.18
Redken All Soft Shampoo
Redken All Soft Shampoo
$24.78
Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
Paula's Choice Resist Super Antioxidant Concentrate Serum
$45.30
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
$7.20
Dermalogica AGE Smart MultiVitamin Power Firm
Dermalogica AGE Smart MultiVitamin Power Firm
$67.00
Augustinus Bader The Essence
Augustinus Bader The Essence
$85.00
-26%
NIP+FAB Renew Anti-Redness SPF 30 Moisturizer
NIP+FAB Renew Anti-Redness SPF 30 Moisturizer
$27.49 $36.66
-20%
Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum
Pestle & Mortar Vitamin C 2 Phase Serum
$65.62 $82.02
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Serum Extreme
NIP+FAB Retinol Fix Serum Extreme
$36.66
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Serum
REN Bio Retinoid Youth Serum
$79.86
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Vitamin A

Frequently Asked Questions about Vitamin A products

What is vitamin A?

Vitamin A is a powerfully antioxidising fat-soluble vitamin. It comprises a group of compounds including retinol, retinal and retinoic acid.

Who shouldn’t use vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A-based products are unsuitable for children and pregnant women, as they often contain a high concentration of retinoids that can be particularly harmful.

People with a vitamin A allergy should avoid retinol beauty products as they contain high levels of vitamin A that can trigger allergic reactions.

How often should I be using vitamin A beauty products?

To start with, incorporate a mild vitamin A formula (like retinaldehyde or the mildest retinyl palmitate) into your routine. Use it once a week and then slowly increase your usage, allowing your skin to adapt for best results.

It's important to regularly observe the way that your skin reacts to specific formulas and product combinations, as every skin type will react differently, depending on the strength of the retinol in the product. Sensitive skin types should take caution as retinoids can easily irritate and redden the skin.

Whatever your skin type, you should only use a very small amount of topical vitamin A; applying too much can result in seriously dry and irritated skin. When in doubt, always refer to the manufacturer's instructions.

What are the skin and health care benefits of vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A is a key nutrient that keeps your skin healthy while supplying an array of anti-aging benefits, including reducing the visibility of dark spots, hyperpigmentation and fine lines. It's widely used in skin care products for its nourishing and protective properties, which stimulate skin cell regrowth and boost tissue repair to help to combat breakouts.

If ingested – within foods or dietary supplements vitamin A also helps to maintain good, healthy vision and support your body's natural defenses against illness and infection.

Who should use vitamin A beauty products?

It is recommended that you incorporate vitamin A into your skin care regimen as soon as possible to combat UV damage and signs of aging, and maintain optimal skin health. The vitamin is especially beneficial for people who suffer with acne or blemishes as its antioxidising properties promote skin healing and tissue regeneration.

Vitamin A can also be taken as a dietary supplement to treat and prevent vitamin A deficiency.

Are there any drawbacks/side effects of vitamin A beauty products?

Vitamin A increases sun sensitivity as it encourages skin cell turnover, leaving you with skin that is delicate and easily sensitized. It is often recommended that retinol skin care products are used at night to avoid the risk of sun damage. For the same reasons, you shouldn't use retinoid prior to waxing or laser procedures – your skin will simply be too vulnerable.

In general, retinoids can be very irritating and drying to the skin if used too often or incorrectly – especially when you first start incorporating them into your skin care routine.

Can I use a beauty product containing vitamin A/retinol in combination with AHAs or BHAs?

Yes, it is fine to use a vitamin A/retinol product in conjunction with AHAs or BHAs, which exfoliate dead skin cells. For the best anti-aging results, we recommend using an exfoliator and a retinol product (e.g. a night cream or serum) to maximize the results. You must make sure to keep an eye on the way your skin reacts product combination.

What are the different vitamin A derivatives?

The derivatives of vitamin A are known as carotenoids (found in plant-based products) and retinoids (found in animal-based products). They both provide the body with a variety of health benefits from boosting tissue repair to promoting skin cell regeneration.

To be even more precise…

Retinoids –These are known as prescriptive retinol products, and are often identified as the brands Retin-A and Differin. When applied to the skin, retinoids combat hyperpigmentation, scarring and fine lines.

Retinol –This is the alcohol form of vitamin A, which is a great alternative to retinoic acid for long-term use. It is used by many cosmeceutical skin care companies as it easily adapts to the skin after a few uses.

Retinyl Palmitate –This is the ester of vitamin A that combines retinol with palmitic acid, which then converts to retinoic acid. Its strength is significantly lower than other derivatives because the conversion takes a while, which means it loses potency. It is a good alternative to use in conjunction with other retinol-based products to build efficacy and enhance results.

Retinaldehyde –The most potent form of vitamin A, retinaldehyde requires minimal conversion and causes little to no skin irritation. Retinaldehyde is an expensive ingredient that is often used in high-end skin care formulations, so in most cases it unfortunately comes with a hefty price tag.

How do you use prescription vitamin A products?

A prescription vitamin A product (or retinoid) should be used in your evening skin care routine as follows:

  1. Use your cleanser, toner and exfoliator with AHA or BHA as normal
  2. Apply your retinol prescription product
  3. Use any brightening products after applying the retinoid
  4. Apply a serum or night cream for maximum effect
Luke Chapman

Written by Luke Chapman, Beauty Editor

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