
28/09/2025
What Is Vitamin A & Why Does Your Skin Love It?
⢠Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin your body canât make on its ownâyou need to get it from food, supplements, or skincare.
⢠Itâs essential for your immune system, eyes, reproductive health, and skin.
đ§Ź Types of Vitamin A
⢠Retinoids (from animal sources)
⢠Carotenoids (from plant sources)
Both are converted by your liver into retinol, then delivered throughout your body.
⨠Skin Benefits of Vitamin A
Vitamin A contains retinoids, which help your skin stay healthy and youthful:
⢠Boosts collagen and elastin to reduce fine lines and wrinkles
⢠Helps fade sun damage and pigmentation
⢠Gently exfoliates to clear dead skin and prevent acne
⢠Stimulates fibroblasts for radiant, firm skin
⢠Balances oil production to reduce breakouts
⢠Supports the skinâs immune system and healing
⢠Strengthens the dermis and epidermis, your skinâs protective layers
đĽ How to Get Vitamin A
1. Food Sources
Animal-based (Retinoids):
⢠Milk, cheese, butter
⢠Salmon, fish, shrimp
⢠Eggs
⢠Beef liver, cod liver oil
Plant-based (Carotenoids):
⢠Sweet potatoes, carrots, tomatoes
⢠Leafy greens, red capsicum
⢠Apricots, plums, mangoes
⢠Plain yogurt
Pro Tip:
Vitamin A needs fat to be absorbedâpair fruits and veggies with healthy fats like avocado, nuts, or olive oil.
2. Supplements
⢠Most people get enough from food, but supplements can help if your skin needs extra support.
⢠Some combine retinoids and carotenoids; others are single-source.
⢠Donât self-medicateâhigh doses can be harmful. Always check with your doctor.
3. Topical Skincare
⢠For faster results, apply Vitamin A directly to the skin.
⢠Retinoids in creams, serums, and moisturisers help with:
⢠Wrinkles
⢠Acne
⢠Sun damage
⢠Uneven texture
đ§ž Quick Q&A
Q: Are Vitamin A and Retinol the same?
A: Retinol is a type of Vitamin A used in skincare to treat multiple skin concerns.
Q: How do you use Vitamin A?
A: Through food, supplements, or topical productsâdepending on your skin goals.
Vitamin A Different forms in topical skincare!
Vitamin A comes in 4 main forms, or "ladders."
To work in the skin, it must be converted into its active form: Retinoic Acid.
The fewer conversions needed, the stronger and faster the resultsâbut also the higher the risk of irritation.
đŞ Ladder 1: Retinol
⢠Most common in over-the-counter skincare.
⢠Needs 2 conversions to become active.
⢠Effective, but slower and more likely to cause irritation.
đŞ Ladder 2: Retinaldehyde (Retinal)
⢠One step closer to active form.
⢠Needs 1 conversion.
⢠Works faster than retinol and is gentler than prescription retinoids.
đŞ Ladder 3: Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR)
⢠Also known as Granactive Retinoid.
⢠No conversion neededâbinds directly to skin receptors.
⢠Powerful yet gentle. Great for sensitive skin.
đŞ Ladder 4: Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin)
⢠The active form of Vitamin A.
⢠Works immediatelyâno conversion.
⢠Prescription-only due to its strength and potential for irritation.
At Skin Transformations we stock ladders 1-3 Vitamin A serums. Different types suit different skin conditions.
Contact us for more information
info@skintransformatios.com.au