1. Beef liver, cooked. 3.5 ounces (oz), or 100 grams (g), contains 7,730 mcg of retinol, or 859% of the DV ( 4 ).
Vitamin A in its complete form, retinol, is only found in animal products; however, the precursors to vitamin A are found in a plethora of fruits and vegetables including carrots, mango, spinach and sweet potatoes.
Vitamin A, along with other vitamins, minerals and other compounds, is an essential micronutrient. This means that our bodies cannot manufacture it and therefore it has to be included in our diet.
Retinol is a type of retinoid found in vitamin A. Vitamin A is composed of two parts: retinoids, which include retinol, and carotenoids which inckude beta-carotine. Retinol is a type of vitamin A found in animal products like liver, kidney, eggs, and dairy products.
The biggest thing to understand is that retinol, as you've traditionally known it, is usually derived from animal sources like beef, chicken liver, eggs, and fish, but it can also be found in many plants and vegetables like cantaloupe, carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin.
Retinoids. Retinoids are the group of vitamin A derivatives that have been proven, study after study, to unclog pores, stimulate collagen production and improve collagen density. The active ingredient that repairs photoaging and alleviates acne is retinoic acid.
When you eat foods rich in beta-carotene, like carrots, your body converts it into vitamin A. Research shows when you apply a product that contains beta-carotene — such as carrot seed oil and rosehip seed oil — to your skin, your body converts it into retinol molecules.
Beef, calf, and chicken liver. Eggs. Fish liver oils. Dairy products, including whole milk, whole milk yogurt, whole milk cottage cheese, butter, and other cheeses.
Retinol might not be a fit for those with overly sensitive or hypersensitive skin, those who have food intolerances or high allergic reactions, and young skin, she says. “Caution is necessary when using any vitamin A derivatives and should only be used after advice from your derm or skin care specialist,” Joss says.
RETINOIC ACID (TRETINOIN)
Remember: Retinoic acid is the purest form of retinol. Since it doesn't need to be converted, it gets to work right away. That also means it can be harsh, drying, and irritating for most skin types. Because of this, it requires a prescription known as Retin-A or Retirides for the UK.
Where can you find natural retinol? As well as carrot seed and rosehips oils, broccoli seed, apricot kernel, peach kernel, avocado and baobab oils are NEOM's favourite sources of natural retinol.
Derived from the Ayurvedic Babchi plant, Bakuchiol has the same collagen-stimulating benefits of retinol and the ability to visibly plump and firm skin.
Also known as retinoic acid, tretinoin is about 20 times more potent than retinol. It's stronger because retinoic acid is a form of vitamin A that acts directly on the skin to boost cell renewal, turnover, and DNA damage repair.
As Dr. King mentions, peptides make a great retinol alternative. Versions such as copper peptides, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7, and hexapeptides increase skin elasticity and firmness, stimulate cell regeneration, and diminish creasing, respectively, making them extremely versatile when it comes to antiaging.
Sperling, and Marino recommend starting out by applying a retinol one to two nights per week to build up your skin's tolerance. Then, increase your frequency to every other night, as you can tolerate it. The goal is to eventually train your skin to use it nightly.
1. SkinCeuticals Retinol 1.0 Maximum Strength Refining Night Cream. Formulated with the highest concentration of 1.0% pure retinol and botanical extracts, this cream is enhanced with the latest stabilization and delivery technologies to preserve retinol potency and ensure maximum efficacy and stability.
Red and orange vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, pumpkins, cantaloupes, apricots, peaches and mangoes all contain significant amounts of beta-carotene, thus retinoids.
Rosehip Oil is a natural retinol because it contains natural retinoic acid. The kind of vitamin A found in rosehip oil is more beneficial than retinol on its own. This is because your skin will recognize it straight away, so it won't need the time to convert.
Is Rosehip Oil as good as Retinol? The short answer to this question is NO. But it isn't that cut and dry. To break it down, experts agree that the amount of Vitamin A found in most rosehip oils won't be enough to have the same effect on your skin as retinol.
Retinoids not only reverse the signs of natural aging, but they can also repair sun damage on the skin. Retinoids have been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth the skin and even the tone. Retinol, retinyl palmitate and retinoic acid are all types of retinoids.
Pharmaceutical grade retinol has the best chemical purity and quality due to its extensive and strict formulation. Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, it's more gentle, available over-the-counter and takes a few months to see results since the body needs to convert it into retinoic acid.