How much do you know about Vitamin A in cosmetic?

A powerful skincare active, retinol—alongside other retinoids, such as retinoic acid and retinyl palmitate—is essentially a form of retinoid, or vitamin A,  which is one of the body's key nutrients for boosting cell turnover. 

Vitamin A, in its retinyl palmitate form, is naturally found in our skin, and is the largest store of Vitamin A for its use by our body. Vitamin A works through accelerating the rate of cell turnover (this makes way for 'new' skin to appear on the surface quicker than it normally would), it helps treat a number of concerns including dullness, pigmentation and skin texture and the skin renewal process helps boost collagen and elastin production to help improve the appearance of fine lines. 

The main Vitamin A Derivatives types used in cosmetic prodcuts include Retinol, Retinal(Retinaldehyde),Retinoic Acid(Tretinoin),Retinyl Palmitate, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate(HPR). They are mainly used in Anti-aging,Anti-wrinkle,Soothing,Repairing,Brightening and Moisturizing other skin care products.

Retinol is one of the most popular ingredients when it comes to skincare and cosmetics. The benefits of retinol are manifold and it is the solution to many skin problems today. Retinol neutralizes free radicals as well as fights the signs of premature aging. Moreover, hyaluronic acid can be used with retinol to mute some of the side effects that come with it. 

Retinal/Retinaldehyde is  a reletively new active ingredient for anti-ageing.  Retinaldehyde can be converted into Retionic Acid within 1 natural process by the skin while Retinol needs 2 steps.

Retinoic Acid is also named Tretinoin. Retinoic Acid is the carboxylic acid form of retinol (vitamin A).The collective term for all forms of vitamin A is retinoids.All retinoids need to be converted to Retinoic Acid by chemical rections in our skin to function.

Retinyl palmitate, a derivative of vitamin A, is a popular ingredient in cosmetics renowned for its skin-rejuvenating properties. It functions as an antioxidant, combating free radicals that accelerate skin aging. This compound is also known for its ability to promote collagen production, enhancing skin firmness and elasticity while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is a retinol derivative.As an anti-aging agent,it’s recommended for anti-wrinkle, anti-aging and whitening skin care products' formulations. It is more stable and less irritating than retinol.Hydroxpinacolone Retinoate (HPR) but unlike retinol or retinol esters, it can actually be used as is by the retinoid receptors in the skin without having to be converted. This makes it more powerful and yet the ester modification of the ingredient meant that it was relatively gentle and did not have the same potential for irritation.

YR Chemspec also supply Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 10%(HPR10) solution.Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 10% is formulated by10% Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate with Dimethyl Isosorbide. It is used in skin care, color cosmetic and body care formulations.