Vitamin A encourages the growth of new skin cells whilst breaking down dead skin cells. It can also regulate the amount of keratin being produced by your skin and prevent dead skin cells from sticking together and forming acne-causing blockages in hair follicles.
Prevents clogged pores: Topical vitamin A derivatives help keep pores unclogged and have been found to be beneficial against comedonal acne. Decreased inflammation: Topical vitamin A derivatives may reduce inflammation. Acne is an inflammatory skin condition, so it may reduce inflammation associated with breakouts.
Vitamin A helps skin repair itself so that dead skin cells turn over less (a.k.a. slows down cell turnover), often leading to less clogged pores. There are also secondary effects, such as reduced inflammation and reduced androgens in the skin, which can also contribute to clogged pores.
It was conclusively proven in 1996 that Vitamin A as a topical skin ingredient is capable of reprogramming cellular function – WOW! This is why everyone (almost) should be using it. Not only to help you age more gracefully and have clear skin, but more importantly, so your skin is healthier as you age.
Topical vitamin A is a great choice for an oily skin type because it helps manage sebum production and can reduce the appearance of pore size. Those with oily skin should use a moisturizing lotion after topical retinol.
Vitamin A is a crucial vitamin for maintaining healthy skin. It's ripe with Retinol and pro-vitamin A carotenoids. These help to maintain overall skin well-being, promote skin cell regeneration and combat acne. Vitamin A also helps to reduce excess sebum production by increasing cell turnover.
Retinol is actually just another word for vitamin A. It is an extremely effective cell-communicating ingredient, meaning the substance can literally attach itself to almost every skin cell and it 'tells' the cells that they should behave like healthy, younger skin cells. Retinol is an antioxidant.
Large doses of oral vitamin A supplements don't appear to affect acne.
Vitamin D
Additionally, vitamin D helps regulate the production of sebum, the skin's natural oil, which can help reduce the appearance of acne. Adequate vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
How do I know if I'm purging or having a reaction? Vitamin A increases your natural cell turnover, so when you first start using it, your skin may go through a sensitive phase while it purges dead cells and other build up. You may notice some mild redness and flaking, or even tiny pink pimples.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for our bodies, and it plays an important role in the health of our scalp and hair. It can make hair softer and shinier, promote hair growth, and boost scalp health. Incorporate vitamin A-rich foods into your diet, use it topically in hair products, or take it as a supplement.
The answer is yes! Vitamin A can help reduce and prevent inflammatory acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. (4) Exciting! Now let's dive a little deeper into how it's actually able to help you achieve clear skin.
Use an oil-free moisturizer after cleansing to avoid dry skin. Using products that contain retinol or salicylic acid: Retinol and salicylic acid help clear out dirt, oil and other debris clogging your pores. Some people find that these ingredients irritate their skin.
Niacinamide For Pores
Add a Niacinamide serum (also known as Vitamin B3) into your routine. Research shows as little as 2% topical Niacinamide can result in a 'significant reduction in sebum excretion rate and pore size'. Anecdotally, people often say using a Niacinamide serum 'shrinks' their pores.
Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage due to free radicals. In skin cells, this could help slow cell aging and keep the skin looking younger. The same process may also reduce the speed at which the skin cells fall off, potentially reducing the clogging of pores and acne.
In addition, vitamin A can regulate skin tone and reduce the red, purple and brown colouring that acne can leave on the skin. It can also reduce the size and productivity of your oil glands, meaning that your skin produces less acne-causing oil.
Oral Vitamin A varies in effectiveness for acne treatment. The recommended upper limit for Vitamin A supplementation is 3,000 IU. However, the dose necessary to mimic Accutane's effects would be potentially toxic to consume, ranging from 36,000 IU to 500,000 IU per day.
Dietary Intake Recommendations
The recommended daily intake of vitamin A for women is 700 micrograms, and for men, it's 900 micrograms. Most people can get this amount from the foods they eat. As noted, MINDBODYSKIN offers a daily dose of 6,110 micrograms of vitamin A—the sweet spot for treating acne.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in many foods. Vitamin A is important for normal vision, the immune system, reproduction, and growth and development. Vitamin A also helps your heart, lungs, and other organs work properly.
Retinol is naturally derived from vitamin A, while tretinoin is a synthetic form. Tretinoin is significantly stronger than retinol. Tretinoin requires a prescription, while retinol compounds are typically over the counter. Typical skin shedding during early use of retinol is less pronounced than tretinoin.
Vitamin A (VA, retinol) and its metabolites (commonly called retinoids) are required for the proper development of the kidney during embryogenesis, but retinoids also play key roles in the function and repair of the kidney in adults.
- Salicylic and Lactic Acids: Salicylic acid dissolves sebum buildup, minimizing the appearance of pores and combating breakouts, while lactic acid visibly clarifies the skin, exfoliating away pore-clogging debris that can lead to acne and blackheads.
You can also get vitamin A by including good sources of beta-carotene in your diet, as the body can convert this into retinol. The main food sources of beta-carotene are: yellow, red and green (leafy) vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes and red peppers. yellow fruit, such as mango, papaya and apricots.