Number one in skin care: vitamin A for health, beauty and youth

Retinol acetate for facial skin, also known as vitamin A, is an excellent product for caring for your own appearance, allowing you to maintain freshness and youth for a long time. If you intend to use retinol for facial skin, then it is worth remembering that it is recommended to buy it only in trusted retail outlets, and best of all in pharmacies, where it is presented in the form:

• in the form of a solution - in this case, you should choose an oil solution of retinol acetate for the face. It can be of different percentages, in particular, 3.44% and 8.6% and is ideal for home care;
• capsules containing an oil solution. Just pierce the ampoule and then add vitamin A to a mask, cream or apply externally. This is essentially the most convenient way to use retinol;
• retinol in ampoules. It is used for intramuscular injections, but can also be used as an additive to homemade masks, creams, and so on;

What it is?

In pharmacies, retinol acetate is sold in capsule form and is prescribed as part of complex treatment for rickets, some eye diseases, erosions and intestinal ulcers, bronchopulmonary problems and various lesions and skin problems.

The drug is an oil solution, since vitamin A is classified as fat-soluble. Retinol acetate is produced synthetically and does not destabilize as quickly as retinol. This allows you to preserve and use its properties in cosmetics.

Reviews

Let's find out what women who use retinol palmitate in facial skin care say.

• Elena, 26 years old: “My acne has not completely gone away since I was a teenager. Sometimes acne appears. This problem makes life quite difficult and, of course, I tried many different remedies and methods to eliminate it. Recently I had an appointment with a good cosmetologist, and she suggested that I treat acne with vitamin A in oil. I bought it - the product is very inexpensive, and started lubricating pimples and blackheads with oil. What do you think? Where expensive creams and various expensive polishes failed, a simple vitamin helped. After a week, a positive result was already noticeable, and after a month, the face was almost completely cleared. Of course, you still need to go to a cosmetologist for procedures, but even without this, the result is already very good. I’m satisfied, I recommend it to everyone.”
• Marina, 43 years old: “I often use Vitamin A for the skin and also for the hair; I have known about the beneficial properties of this substance for a long time. My teenage daughter also uses retinol to solve her problems with skin and acne. Along with external use, I recommend taking vitamin A internally - if the skin defects are significant, this way the treatment will go faster

So, vitamin A or retinol palmitate is a product that has a unique positive effect on the skin. Buy an oil solution of this vitamin - and let it always be in your home medicine cabinet. If a pimple appears on the skin, a fever on the lips, an ulcer, or some other poorly healing defect, it is enough to lubricate it with an oil solution, and soon there will be no trace of the defect. In addition, vitamin A is also useful when taken orally - in this case it will benefit the entire body.

Retinol for enlarged pores

Along with its proven anti-aging effect, the substance can help those with enlarged pores. It cannot reduce the size of pores that are genetically determined, but it can shrink gaping ones due to clogs and sun exposure.

Due to unfavorable factors, pore walls can become sluggish and stretched. Retinol can intervene and return them to working condition. The result will be improved function, which over time will lead to the return of enlarged pores to normal size.

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Functions in the body

It is not for nothing that retinol acetate preparations are sold in pharmacies as medicine. They help quickly restore normal functioning of the body and have the following effects on it:

• regulates the speed of metabolic processes;
• improves and restores vision;
• strengthens immune defense;
• relieves PMS symptoms;
• stabilizes blood sugar levels;
• improves the appearance and condition of the skin;
• promotes concentration;
• accelerates the growth of nails and hair.

It is also a powerful antioxidant and can inhibit destructive age-related changes. Thus, the body, with an active intake of vitamin A from food or in capsule form, rejuvenates.

What is the difference between retinol acetate and palmitate

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble substance that is formed by the human body itself from beta-carotene. In addition, people get it additionally from food. Vitamin A obtained from plant foods is called carotenoids, and from animal foods - retionoids.

Expert opinion

Tatyana Somoilova

Cosmetology expert

The human body needs a constant supply of vitamin A, since it is actively involved in the formation of proteins, cells and their regeneration, and is needed for the formation of dental and bone tissue. Retinol is necessary to maintain immunity, good condition of mucous membranes and skin.

Without vitamin A, the organs of vision and the brain cannot function. The deficiency leads to the development of disturbances in the functioning of the heart and blood vessels, and problems with spermatogenesis.

In the modern world, an increasing number of people prefer to take additional vitamin complexes. Many people are familiar with such products as retinol acetate and palmitate . They can be present in vitamin complexes, and also sold separately as an oil solution.

But not everyone pays attention to whether there is a difference between these species. Often the second name is in parentheses, so it seems that the drug contains the same thing.

The main difference is this:

• Retinol acetate is a salt of acetic acid. This substance is not produced in the human body in any way. It turns out that it is foreign to the body.
• But retinol palmitate is a saturated acid, which, upon breakdown, enters the body and is transformed into unsaturated acids. They are very beneficial for the body. This type of vitamin A is more natural and physiological for humans. Therefore, it is preferable to choose it.

We recommend reading about ferul peeling. From it you will learn about the composition of ferul peeling, how the acid acts on the skin, how to use it at home, and also which one is worth buying. And here is more information about the cream with retinol.

Retinol for skin

Cosmetologists have long begun to use products with retinol acetate for aging and problem skin. In higher concentrations, it normalizes the functioning of the sebaceous glands and perfectly removes pimples and acne. But for this you need to use professional cosmetics or prescription pharmaceutical ointments, and only under the supervision of specialists.

In regular retinol creams, acetate for the skin is also useful and practically safe, since its concentration in them usually does not exceed one percent. With their regular use:

• small wrinkles are smoothed out;
• the depth of facial expressions decreases;
• the oval of the face is tightened;
• skin tone and texture are evened out;
• dryness and flaking disappear;
• the number of rashes decreases;
• acne and blackheads go away;
• pigmentation lightens;
• the oval of the face is tightened;
• the vascular network disappears.

That is why various forms of retinol, including acetate, are often found in ready-made preparations for aging skin. And some houses enrich masks or favorite creams with it. Is it worth doing this and how I will tell you a little later.

What is vitamin A and what are its benefits for the skin?

Vitamin A is actually a whole group of substances that are similar in structure and properties. Among them, for example, vitamin A1 (retinol), vitamin A2 (dehydroretinol), retinoic acid and a number of others. All of them, including synthetic analogues, are called retinoids.

Vitamin A is a group of substances similar in chemical structure and properties

Effect of vitamin on skin

Initially, doctors treated various skin diseases with retinol, but unexpectedly discovered a peculiar side effect - noticeable rejuvenation and lightening of pigmentation. This is how the “era of vitamin A” began in cosmetology: derivatives of this substance are now mandatory in anti-aging cosmetics, as well as in acne treatments.

Retinoids have a small molecular size, so they work on the superficial and even deep layers of the skin. Moreover, this is the only substance that can comprehensively affect collagen, restoring damaged fibers, stimulating the appearance of new ones and slowing down the destruction of existing ones.

The vitamin relieves the skin of almost all known aesthetic problems. The severity of the result depends on its concentration in the composition of the care product, but in general the following results can be expected:

1. getting rid of acne. Retinol normalizes sebum secretion and cleanses pores, thereby quickly and effectively eliminating both inflammation and blackheads;
2. improving color and smoothing texture, reducing pores. Retinoic acid accelerates the exfoliation of dead cells and thereby thins the stratum corneum of the epidermis, which makes the face look dull. At the same time, the skin’s ability to resist the harmful effects of pollutants contained in the environment increases;
3. smoothing wrinkles, increasing elasticity and hydration. Vitamin A affects fibroblasts - dermal cells responsible for the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid. The formation of new cells in the basal layer also accelerates, as a result, the deeper layers of the skin thicken and retain more moisture;
4. lightening of pigment spots. This occurs due to the normalization of melanin production, as well as the uniform distribution of the cells producing it;
5. recovery after sunburn. Vitamin A activates the protective functions of the skin, heals damaged cells and accelerates their renewal.

   
   Retinoic peeling rejuvenates the skin, tightens pores and improves complexion

Forms of vitamin A used in cosmetology

There are quite a few retinoids, but the most commonly used in cosmetic products are:

• retinoic acid. The most powerful substance, usually used in prescription medications;
• retinol (so-called true vitamin A). It is also used in ordinary over-the-counter cosmetics, as it is gentle and suitable for sensitive skin. This substance quickly breaks down, so it is enclosed in special polymer capsules that protect it from light and air. On cosmetics packages you should look for encapsulated retinol or microcapsulated retinol - this means that the optimal amount of vitamin A will be delivered to the deep layers of the skin;
• retinaldehyde (retinal). Penetrates quickly into the skin, is stable, has virtually no side effects in the form of redness and peeling;
• ethereal compounds: retinol acetate and palmitate. They are the most popular because they are inexpensive, resistant to heat, light and air, and have a gentle effect on the skin, which allows you to use cosmetics enriched with them every day.

  
  Retinoids have different properties, which determine how and in what cosmetics a particular substance will be used

Reference! There are also substances that are stronger in their effects: tretinoin (a structural type of retinoic acid), isotretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene. They are part of medicinal cosmetic preparations, which can only be purchased with a doctor's prescription.

Despite the variety of forms of the vitamin, only retinoic acid has the ability to interact with skin cells. The rest are converted into it directly on the skin, through complex chemical transformations. This metabolism is shown in diagram form in the illustration below.

Retinoids are converted into retinoic acid when applied to the skin

The more conversions a particular form of vitamin A requires to transform into retinoic acid, the less pronounced the cosmetic effect will be.

Retinyl acetate and palmitate: which to prefer for home care

Oil solutions of retinyl acetate and palmitate, which can be purchased at any pharmacy, are suitable for home use. They are just as effective as more aggressive forms of vitamin A, but you will have to wait longer for results. However, if there are no pronounced problems (acne, deep wrinkles, pigmentation), then this shortcoming is easy to forgive.

As a rule, retinol acetate is found more often in pharmacies and is cheaper than its counterpart, so the question may arise: which one is better?

Retinyl acetate, being an ester of acetic acid, turns into palmitate when it comes into contact with the skin. In this regard, on the Internet there are sometimes recommendations to give preference to the latter, since it will quickly turn into retinoic acid. In any case, retinol palmitate is more common in cosmetics.

In turn, retinol acetate can boast that its molecule is more resistant to the destructive effects of light and air, is smaller in size and penetrates the epidermis more actively.

In addition, both esters have different dosages:

• 1 mg of retinol acetate corresponds to 2907 IU (international units) of retinol;
• 1 mg of retinol palmitate - 1817 IU of retinol.

Interesting fact: in the skin, up to 80% of vitamin A is stored in the form of retinol palmitate!

Conclusion: in terms of the final result, the difference between both substances is insignificant. When they get on the skin, they break down into retinoic acid, so both are suitable for homemade creams and masks. It is believed that retinol palmitate is slightly more effective, but this difference can be easily corrected by changing the amount of the drug.

Retinol palmitate is slightly more effective than acetate, so it is more often recommended for use in home masks

The best cosmetics with retinol

Anti-aging cosmetics with vitamin A effectively eliminate wrinkles, age spots and other signs of aging. This is confirmed by numerous positive reviews. Retinol acetate for facial skin works well in the following cosmetic products:

1. Liftactive Retinol HA from Vichy. In addition to retinol, the product contains hyaluronic acid and water from thermal springs. The use of the cream stimulates the dermis to produce more collagen. Wrinkles and unevenness are smoothed out, and skin tone is evened out.

2. Redermic R from La Roche-Posay. Eliminates deep wrinkles, pigmentation and uneven complexion. It is recommended that you additionally use sunscreen while using this product.
3. Eluage by Avene. Improves metabolism in the dermis and blood circulation. Increases skin elasticity and makes the oval shape clearer.
4. L'Oreal Revitalift. An affordable cream that contains retinol. Absorbs quickly. Improves skin microrelief and smoothes wrinkles.

Side effects and possible harm of vitamin A

The main danger of retinol is the possibility of triggering allergies. For this reason, people who are prone to this disease or have sensitive skin need to do a test every time they buy a new bottle of product or mix a new mask.

It is not recommended to use vitamin A during pregnancy. True, there is no exact data on the dangers of retinol for expectant mothers, but just in case, doctors advise them to receive this substance exclusively from food.

Do not apply retinol to the skin if it has open wounds or deep scratches. In this regard, even when treating acne, it is necessary to wait until the damaged inflammations heal.

Important! Using retinol to treat acne may exacerbate the inflammatory response, but this is temporary and usually goes away within a week.

All types of retinoids are contraindicated for cancer and benign tumors.

Retinol should be used with great caution by those taking medications that increase photosensitivity. These are sulfonamides, tetracycline antibiotics, hormonal drugs, including oral contraceptives. It is advisable for such people to put off cosmetics with vitamin A for autumn and winter.

All other potential dangers are associated only with excess dosage and improper use of retinol. Thus, frequent application of products with a high concentration of vitamin causes excessive peeling, dryness, sensitivity - the skin simply does not have time to recover and falls into a deplorable state. And if you don’t pay attention to the sun, then hyperpigmentation and photoaging will be added to the listed problems.

Using Retinol Incorrectly Can Harm Your Skin

Pharmacy products

To obtain a quick and significant result, the concentration of retinol should be at least one percent. This is rare in ready-made creams that can be bought in regular stores. Therefore, many began to use pharmaceutical drugs. But to do this you need to know about some of their features.

Release form

Today, retinol is available in several forms:

1. In capsules. Convenient product for external or internal use. It allows you to preserve all the beneficial properties of the substance for as long as possible, but is expensive.
2. Oil solution. Sold in small dark glass bottles. It is much cheaper than capsules and is suitable for preparing masks or enriching creams.
3. In ampoules. According to the instructions, this liquid formula is intended for intramuscular injection. But it is also used to treat wounds and acne, since the drug is sterile and the risk of infection after its use tends to zero.

There is no big difference in the effectiveness of these funds. There are also combination preparations with retinol, the most famous of which is AEVit. They have an even more active effect on the body, since the beneficial ingredients reinforce each other.

Features of the drugs

I would like to note some features of vitamin A preparations available in modern pharmacies:

Important! Before using any form of retinol acetate, be sure to read the instructions for use. Please note that there are contraindications for the drug, and an overdose can cause quite unpleasant side effects.

Which release form should I choose?

• Injection . It is considered the most effective because it has the maximum concentration of the vitamin. Very convenient for everyday use - does not leave greasy marks. Often used in cosmetology.
• Oil solution . In appearance it is very similar to vitamin E (it can also have a beneficial effect on the skin). The oily product is recommended to be applied to moisturize dry skin. The group of oils in the composition has a strong nutritional effect. Great even for sensitive skin. To enhance the effect, you can take it after waking up on an empty stomach.
• Pills . In this form, the vitamin is combined with additional minerals, so its content is minimal.

According to consumer reviews, it has been determined that it is the injection solution that has the most powerful effect.

Beneficial features

Retinol acetate is used for skin regeneration and restoration. It has a deep moisturizing effect. The molecules that make up vitamin A are lightweight, due to which they penetrate into the deepest layers. Retinol acetate acts on the outer layer of the epidermis while eliminating inflammation from the inside.

The drug for oral administration is prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, as well as those who are preparing to conceive a child. Vitamin A components cleanse the body from the inside. For oral administration, tablets and even specially selected vitamin complexes are used.

But before you start taking retinol acetate, consult your doctor.

Beneficial properties for facial skin:

• increases the skin’s resistance to factors that irritate the epidermis from the outside, for example, sunlight;
• relieves itching during inflammatory processes;
• cleanses and removes toxins;
• improves blood circulation and provides the inner layers of the dermis with nutrition;
• strengthens the vascular system, eliminates spider veins;
• eliminates acne and improves pore function;
• renews the upper layers of the epidermis due to fruit acids;
• Having antioxidant properties, it helps to overcome the initial signs of aging and enhances collagen production.

Home use

Of course, it is always more convenient to use high-quality ready-made cosmetics, and I strongly recommend making this choice for those who are guaranteed to get predictable and long-lasting results.

But nothing can be done about those who like to experiment at home - they exist and will continue to exist. Here are some of my pro tips just for them.

Important nuances

Before applying pharmaceutical products with retinol that have a fairly high concentration of this substance to your face, be sure to do an allergy test. In general, I advise starting with a content of no more than one percent, and then, if necessary, gradually increasing it.

If you are making an intensive course of masks with retinol, under no circumstances should you take it orally at the same time. This can lead to hypervitaminosis, which is expressed by extremely unpleasant symptoms: headache, visual disturbances, increased intracranial pressure, nausea and vomiting, facial redness, itching and rashes.

Before applying a cream or mask, be sure to remove makeup, wash your face, and even lightly exfoliate. It is better to lightly steam problematic skin to enhance the effect of retinol. You need to apply masks and creams along the massage lines, and then gently massage in with your fingertips for a couple of minutes.

With a high concentration of retinol, masks can dry out the skin. Therefore, it is advisable to add natural oils to them or then apply a high-quality moisturizer.

There should be no burning or other discomfort. If it appears, the product must be washed off immediately.

Mask recipes

There are quite a few recipes for masks that use retinol acetate for facial skin. In principle, the oil solution can be added to your usual favorite cream. But it’s better to try one of the following formulations:

1. With aloe. Mix the pulp or juice of aloe leaves (they must be cut in advance and kept wrapped in cloth in the refrigerator) with a teaspoon of retinol oil solution and add a tablespoon of oatmeal. When the mixture becomes homogeneous, apply it to your face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water without soap. The mask is especially good for thin, dry and sensitive skin.
2. Oil compress. Heat a small amount of natural oil (jojoba, coconut, grape seed, wheat germ, peach) in a water bath to a temperature of 45-50°C. Pour two capsules of the drug “AEVit” into it, mix well and dip a sterile napkin folded several times into the mixture. Cover your face with it (eyes closed) and you can also insulate it with cotton wool or a cotton towel. Keep for 20-30 minutes, rinse with warm water and a small amount of gel. Perfectly nourishes the skin and smoothes out wrinkles.
3. Honey-butter. A very effective procedure combines a nourishing mask and a light massage. Melt two tablespoons of honey in a water bath (temperature up to 60 ° C), add one spoon of olive, sea buckthorn or almond oil and half a teaspoon of vitamin A solution (2-3 capsules are possible). Mix everything, apply an even layer on the face and then pat with your palms or tap with your fingertips for 2-3 minutes. Leave the mask for 10-15 minutes, rinse with running water and soap.

If you wish, you can search and try other recipes. But it is important to remember that such masks should be made no more than twice a week and no longer than two months without a break.

Scrubs and lotions

Cleansing the skin with scrubs allows you to cleanse pores, eliminate dead cells and improve skin microrelief. In addition, the breathing of the dermis and blood circulation in its tissues improves. A scrub with retinol will be beneficial for all skin types. To prepare it you will need the following ingredients:

1. Oat flakes - 25 g.
2. Milk (fat for dry skin and vice versa) - 25 ml.
3. Retinol oil solution - 5 ml.

The flakes must be ground in a coffee grinder. Oatmeal powder is poured with hot milk. When it cools to room temperature, add retinol and mix. The mixture can be used as a scrub.

An oil solution of retinol or vitamin from injection ampoules can be added to ready-made tonics or lotions. In addition, it is easy to prepare such care products yourself from cucumber juice or the pulp of aloe leaves.

Contraindications

There are few contraindications to the use of retinol acetate and its other forms, but they do exist. The drug is not used for:

• severe skin damage;
• acute inflammatory processes;
• multiple ulcers;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• chronic pancreatitis;
• cholelithiasis;
• hypervitaminosis of vitamin A.

Internal use is also not recommended for alcoholism, cirrhosis or other serious liver diseases, renal failure, age under 7 and over 70 years.

Dermatologists' opinion

What do cosmetologists say?

1. About different forms and concentrations. Biochemically, they do exactly the same thing; they affect the skin at the cellular level. But weak concentration takes longer for results to appear.
2. Any skin can benefit from using retinol, but most women start using it between the ages of 40 and 50.
3. Disadvantages: primary peeling. To see results, you need to be patient for 2-6 months. When use is stopped, all signs of aging return: age spots appear, wrinkles deepen.

Some dermatologists say that home care products with low concentrations of active ingredients are not effective and users will not notice a difference.

But an independent study showed that retinol at a concentration of 0.4%, used three times a week for six months, can heal cellular damage in mature skin. Most companies do not disclose the concentration of the active ingredient in their product, it is simply not on the packaging, even Vichy " and "L'Oreal".

However, would it be nice if all brands printed percentages on the packaging of their products, especially since the cream can be expensive?

Then we could make more informed choices about this proven anti-aging ingredient. The maximum concentration of products that can be purchased from professionals is 1.0%, which is indicated on the packaging.

Tips for use

• Consult a cosmetologist; retinoids are not suitable for every skin type.
• Peeling and redness may occur after use. If they are minor, they may disappear after a few days: the skin adapts. If unpleasant symptoms do not disappear or the condition worsens, stop using the product.
• If this is your first time using retinol, do not use it daily. Apply every other day or add a little to your moisturizer before use. This will give the skin a chance to get used to it.

Research has shown that gentle exfoliation with fruit acids significantly increases the effectiveness of retinol in treating sun-damaged skin.

• Exposure to sunlight makes retinol unstable, so it is best to use it at night.
• If you apply it during the day, be sure to wear sunscreen and avoid sun exposure as much as possible.

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Summing up

Reviews from patients who have tried ready-made or homemade remedies with retinol acetate confirm their high effectiveness. If there is a suspicion of a significant lack of vitamin A in the body, it is worth taking a blood test. In this case, together with or after using creams, the doctor may also prescribe internal retinol. He will also determine the dosage and how long to take the drug over time. For oral administration, it is better to choose a product in tablets or capsules.

Remember that everything is important for beautiful skin - from a balanced diet to quality care and a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, you should not expect miracles from creams with retinol. Yes, they have a healing and rejuvenating effect. But only if used as part of a complex of anti-aging measures or elimination of dermatological problems.

After reading this article, do you still have questions? You can ask them in the comments, and I will be happy to share additional information with you.

Warning

Cosmetic forms of vitamin A, as well as pure vitamin A, may cause irritation. Moreover, the irritation can be very strong.

My face became covered with red spots from the concentrated retinol acetate, although they quickly passed without causing serious inflammation. For the first time, immediately after application, you feel a tingling and slight burning sensation, but after repeated use, all the unpleasant sensations went away.

But girls with super sensitive skin and those prone to allergies need to be especially careful and not forget about a basic wrist test.

To avoid this effect, you can use skin care products that do not irritate your skin. All forms found in cosmetics act similarly, but they are not the same. The effectiveness is truly impressive, which explains their popularity in the skin care world.

Remember: retinol alone cannot meet all the skin’s many needs. Despite its superstar status, it does not reduce the need for use

• sunscreen,
• exfoliants,
• gentle cleanser
• serum or moisturizer.

Keeping skin healthy and youthful, it works in combination with other ingredients and products to give skin what it needs.

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Analogs

The main analogue of retinol acetate is Aevit. The latter is a combination drug, the main components of which are fat-soluble vitamins A and E. Aevit is considered a stronger remedy than retinol acetate. The fact is that the combination of vitamins gives a more pronounced anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and regenerating effect. Aevit can be added to masks, lotions and store-bought products instead of retinol acetate, if you like the effect of the combined drug more. The product costs from 33 to 55 rubles, while the price of an oil solution of vitamin A, depending on the volume and manufacturer, is 10–90 rubles.

Aevit is the main analogue of retinol acetate