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What is the Difference Between Vitamin A and Retinol?

What is the Difference Between Vitamin A and Retinol?

Is Vitamin A and Retinol the same thing? Our Founder Sarah takes you through everything Vitamin A for the skin, retinol, retinal, retinoic acid and retinyl ester.

03 Jan 23

We are often asked this question. Think of Vitamin A as the 'family name' and Retinol is a 'member' of this Vitamin A family.

Vitamin A is an essential fat-soluble vitamin. You may recognise names such as retinol, retinal, retinoic acid or retinyl ester — which are all forms of vitamin A.

Retinol belongs to a sub-family called retinoids and these forms of Vitamin A help increase cell turnover and accelerate skin renewal, effectively evening out discolouration and smoothing the damage that occurs during skin aging.

In order for Retinol to do its job, it needs to be broken down to retinoic acid, which is done by enzymes in our body.

From here, Retinol has the following amazing benefits to the skin:

  • Stimulates collagen production to support the firmness in your skin
  • Accelerates cell renewal and getting those new healthy cells to the surface faster
  • Targets fine lines and wrinkles
  • Improves skin texture and smoothness
  • Helps even skin tone
  • Targets acne and post-breakout hyper-pigmentation

 



Dermalogica products with Vitamin A

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High-dose, fast-acting Retinol serum contains a 3.5% Retinoid complex and f
eatures multiple retinoids, working at different speeds, to address the four signs of skin ageing: Helping to reverse the appearance of wrinkles, evening skin tone, improves skin texture, minimises the appearance of pores.


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Highly-active 0.5% encapsulated Retinol: stimulates collagen and helps reduce visible fine lines, wrinkles, discolouration and uneven skin texture


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Time-Released Retinol: Helps increase skin resilience and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, helps clear and reduce adult acne and post-breakout hyperpigmentation.


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Microencapsulated Retinol 0.1%: Targets multiple eye area concerns, primarily fine lines, wrinkles, puffiness and dark under-eye circles from hyperpigmentation. Helps minimise lines around the delicate eye area and helps reverse photoageing and chronological ageing of skin tissues.

 

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Retinol helps reverse the signs of ageing by normalising cells and stimulating new collagen formation while gently exfoliating. Plus vitamin E helps smooth skin while a stable form of vitamin C stimulates skin strengthening collagen.

 



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Retinyl Palmitate combined with powerful antioxidants to help increase elasticity, aid in collagen synthesis, restores suppleness and repairs daily damage.

 


Vitamin A support from the inside

Vitamin A in skincare gives great results, but if you're looking to enhance these results further, taking a Vitamin A supplement is recommended.

Nutritional support is a fundamental step in supporting the health of your skin and targeting your concerns internally.

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Vitamin A is one of the most important nutrients for skin. Skin Vit A+ is a staple skincare
supplement that helps with skin cell renewal, skin rejuvenation. Vitamin A contributes to the
maintenance of normal skin.

  • Builds healthy skin cells
  • Stimulates cell turnover
  • Stimulates collagen and 'plumps' the skin
  • Stimulates blood circulation
  • Balances sebaceous glands
  • Increase protection against environmental attack
  • Protects and potentiates skin's immunity
  • Balances pigment production

 

About the Author

 

My name is Sarah and I am the founder of GLO Skin Body. With almost 20 years experience, I believe a professional relationship with your skin therapist is crucial in helping you to achieve your skin care goals and to ensure your skin is always looking and feeling its best. Whether it's in person or through our online support, Im here to guide and support you towards your healthiest skin ever.

On a personal note, I am a Mum of 3 so I understand completely the juggles and balancing of life and family commitments . My goal is to help everyone have an effective and enjoyable home care routine that gets you the results you want...no matter how busy you are!

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