The benefits of Vitamin A and how to choose the right one

Vitamin A is one of the most potent serums you can have in your skincare arsenal, helping to brighten your complexion and fight the impacts of everything from aging to acne. But with a bunch of different brands on the market, ranging significantly in strength and price, how do you know which Vitamin A serum is right for your skin?

Below, Skindepth Perth Cosmetic Nurse Brooke provides her best advice.

Firstly, what is vitamin A?

Also known as Retinol, Vitamin A is a vital pro-aging vitamin that helps maintain healthy cellular activity within your skin – aka makes your skin cells be their best cell-self. Retinol is particularly helpful in balancing oil flow, moderating your skin’s oil production and allowing helpful biome to flourish, while causing harmful bacteria, such as those that cause acne, to perish.

As for diminishing lines and wrinkles, Retinol is a great at helping fibroblasts (responsible for providing structure and support to surrounding cells) make more collagen! Collagen is what gives our skin more bounce. And if the skin has more bounce, then those wrinkles are more likely to soften and smooth out.

While aiding important cellular functions, Retinol has the added bonus of making the connections between skin cells looser. The allows the upper (dead) layers of the skin to buff off easier during your nightly cleanse, leaving the younger, fresher layer visible to the eye. Not only does this help with your skin’s appearance, it also allows all of your other vitamins, antioxidants, and lightening agents to penetrate deeper into the skin and work more effectively.

What is prescription Vitamin A?

The pharmaceutical name for Vitamin A is Tretinoin or Retinoic acid. Tretinoin is fast acting and stronger than cosmeceutical Retinols, with results seen after just two months of use. Tretinoin is also far more cost effective than its non-prescription counterparts, with a tube costing roughly $85 for a three to six-month supply.

So why doesn’t everyone use the prescription version of Vitamin A? A thorough assessment of the skin is important before starting Tretinoin, as some people may be too sensitive to its active ingredients, leading to redness and irritation. It also requires a prescription from your dermatologist or GP due to its potential side effects, including birth defects. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or planning a pregnancy, give Tretinoin (and any Vitamin A) a miss. If not, you can receive a professional assessment and prescription through Skindepth Perth.

What is a cosmeceutical Vitamin A?

Retinol is a gentler derivative of Tretinoin. The results are slower and less noticeable at first, however it’s a great option for easing your skin into a Vitamin A regime. You can build up your skin’s tolerance to Vitamin A, without the side effects associated with the prescription versions.

As there are some many Retinols on the market, it can be difficult to choose the one that will work best for you. As a general rule, products that are less expensive tend to have less research and data behind their results, and often less of the active ingredient (Retinol) in the product itself. Ask your clinician for the studies associated with the product, and for before and after photos that illustrate their efficacy. The more expensive brands should also have a variety of strengths to choose from, so you can find the potency that best suits your skin’s tolerance level.

What Vitamin A is best for you?

At Skindepth Perth, we firmly believe Vitamin A – despite its fantastic benefits – is not a serum to mess around with. Whether you get a higher or lower dose – prescription or cosmeceutical – you are still prone to side effects.  The last thing we want is for you to invest in a Vitamin A product, use it a few times, and then suffer side-effects such as redness, irritation, flaking or soreness.

In short, Vitamin A is a cream to seek professional advice on. Not only about the right product to choose, but also how to use it – how to apply it, when to apply and how much to apply. It’s also nice to have a contact to reach out to if you do experience side effects, so they can set your mind at ease and guide you through the process.

A Skindepth Perth, all of our Vitamin A clients are given a step-by-step skincare plan to follow for their first week. This has been carefully created by our medical team to help minimise side effects for our clients and to successfully transition Vitamin A into skin care regimes – that’s all part of the Skindepth Glow.

Are you ready to unlock the powerful benefits of Vitamin A, in a safe and sustainable way? Book in for a consultation with experienced Cosmetic Nurse Brooke today.