From A to Z: the Benefits of Vitamin A in Skin Care

At Skin Actives we believe that you are doing yourself, and your skin, a bevy of good when you involve an ensemble of skin care products that apply to various routines, each with their own respective focus. Here are a just a few of the reasons why you might consider adding a Vitamin A cream to your regimen:

• Anti-aging/Wrinkle Reduction - Collagen production peaks in our early twenties and then declines each year as we age. Collagen production is critical to skin thickness and elasticity, which are hallmarks of youth, and their absence shows aging. Fortunately, Vitamin A is just one way for you to promote collagen production; making any Vitamin A Cream perfect for layering.

• Minimizes Breakouts - Your skin’s natural oils can be used against it when dead skin cells block and clog pores. Vitamin A gently removes dead skin cells, helping to prevent these blockages and the inflammation that accompanies them.

• Smoothes Complexion - Exposure to excess ultraviolet radiation can lead to sun damage in the form of hyperpigmentation. Vitamin A has been shown to reduce hyperpigmented spots leading to smoother complexions; .

• Brightens Skin - When you take all the above factors into account, you’ll find that your skin’s luster has returned, so Vitamin A is used for its skin brightening effect.

One of our cornerstone ingredients, Vitamin A, also known as retinol, has proven to be a skincare powerhouse that holds the key to maintaining healthy and vibrant skin. Let's delve into the world of Vitamin A in skincare, exploring its benefits, potential drawbacks, and who can benefit the most from its use.

What is Retinol?

Retinol (Vitamin A) is one of the most often recommended products for any skincare routine.

However, not all retinoids are equal. They can be very harsh or drying, which can irritate sensitive skin. That's why we use the gentle derivative Retinyl Acetate in all our Vitamin A Products. They are perfect for those with sensitive skin who want to add a retinol to their regimen.

Skin Actives Best Selling Products Containing Vitamin A 

We proudly offer a range of products formulated with Retinyl Acetate, including our Vitamin A Serum and Vitamin A Cream. These formulations are meticulously crafted to harness the benefits of retinyl acetate without the drawbacks. Dr. Sivak's philosophy of safe and effective skincare shines through in these products, allowing you to embrace your skin's natural beauty with confidence.

• Vitamin A Serum: This water-based serum is gentle on your skin and will not cause side effects like other stronger forms of retinols because we use a mild form of Vitamin A, Retinyl Acetate. Retinyl Acetate is known to promote and support the synthesis of collagen and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Vitamin A Cream: Retinols at higher concentrations can sometimes damage skin and thin the skin barrier. So our Vitamin A Cream is just enough to promote cell turnover rate without causing sensitivity issues in most people with sensitive skin. This formula contains our exclusive Sea Kelp Bioferment with its full array of nutrients plus polysaccharides, which help to moisturize your skin and protect it from pollution and bacteria.

• Triple Correction Eye Cream: This is a complex eye serum for long term use that contains our formula of epidermal growth factor and retinol, plus all the nutrients required to prevent the skin in this delicate area to age and thin, preventing the appearance of wrinkles. A full spectrum of lipids will provide the essential fatty acids required by the cell membranes and for the skin to make an effective barrier against water loss and penetration of noxious substances. Caffeine will help with puffy eyes, and bisabolol will decrease general inflammation.

While the benefits of Vitamin A are undeniable, there are considerations to bear in mind. Dr. Sivak clarifies, “in low concentrations, Vitamin A boosts keratinocyte proliferation, while higher concentrations can be inhibitory. This dynamic balance is crucial, especially in conditions like psoriasis." This demonstrates the versatility of Vitamin A, in all its forms and delivery methods, capable of addressing various skin concerns with acute precision.

Remember, When Applying a Retinol…

As Vitamin A is a powerful solution to sensitive skin care treatments, it is paramount to remember that a little bit does go a long way! Vitamin A is a way of discussing the much more scientifically specific category of retinols. As you may know, retinols provoke sensitivity to sunlight, which makes when you use Vitamin A Cream just as important as how you use it.

Use at Night - Retinols interact with sunlight and can actually cause skin damage so it’s very important that you limit your use of Vitamin A Cream to night. You may find that while using retinols, your skin is very sensitive to exposure to sunlight, so make sure you use sunscreen and limit your time in the sun (but you were probably doing that anyway).

Exfoliation, Physical or Chemical - Vitamin A is already working hard at renewing your skin. Adding even mildly caustic elements such as ascorbic acid or other alpha hydroxy acids you should expect trouble.

Drying Products - If it dries out your skin, you should probably avoid it during your Vitamin A regimen. At Skin Actives we advise against alcohol based products anyway. Alcohol dries and ages your skin, so why would you want it to be part of your skin health routine? This warning goes double if you are using retinol products. Be gentle!

Apply Only As Much As Needed - The latest trend in retinol usage revolves around the “gentlest” use. At Skin Actives we already go out of our way to make sure that the Vitamin A found in our products is sourced from the gentlest retinols, so that you don’t have to worry about harming your skin or discomfort. That said, a little goes a long way and more is not necessarily better. Only use as much vitamin A cream as you need, don’t overdo it.

Listen to Your Body - If you start using a vitamin A cream and find that your skin is feeling more sensitive or inflamed, discontinue use. Your skin’s health is the most important thing!

The take home lesson is that it is simply not worthwhile to suffer the side effects of improper use of a retinol in Vitamin A products. We have three ready made products, Vitamin A Cream, Vitamin A Serum, and Triple Correction Eye Cream to deliver the benefits of retinyl acetate safely this summer.