You know the drill when it comes to caring for your skin: cleanse, tone, moisturize, apply sunscreen, and perhaps try other treatments, such as masks or anti-agers. Among the many opportunities (and products) to help your skin look its best, however, there are a few nutrients that the skin really needs — and vitamin A is one of them. Whether you find it in your diet or the main cream, A’s protective and nourishing ingredients, and the nutrients your body uses to do so, contribute to keeping your skin healthy, firm, and radiant.
Unlike many other nutrients, vitamin A is a group of nutrients that include active forms (retinal, retinol, and retinoic acid) and other provitamin A carotenoids, such as beta-carotene. Beta-carotene (and other carotenoids) are a type of vitamin A that we get directly from the diet of the plant we eat. Prefabricated or active forms are found in animal feed. In our bodies, beta-carotene is converted to a retinol form of vitamin A.
Vitamin A Benefits for Skin
It protects against UV damage and drinks the symptoms of aging
Most of your vitamin A intake comes from eating foods rich in beta-carotene and provitamin A carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants. Not only do free squelch radicals break down collagen (the building block of your skin) and contribute to fine lines and skin tone, but they also reduce skin sensitivity to the sun, providing some natural protection against sun redness and color.
Encourages living skin removal
Retinal, retinol, and retinoic acid are essential for cell production and growth. Vitamin A also stimulates fibroblasts – cells that are responsible for building the tissues that keep skin strong and healthy – in the deeper parts of your skin. Because vitamin A and carotenoids play such a vital role in the growth of cells and tissues, insufficient nutrition can lead to weakened skin, causing problems ranging from dryness to slightly healing wounds.
It protects fight against diseases
Your skin is an important part of your immune system; think of it as your body bouncer — the first line of defense against bacteria, dirt, and infection. By stimulating cell production, vitamin A helps to strengthen this barrier, protecting your complexion from harmful irritants that try to invade the surface.
It smoothes wrinkles
Topical vitamin A in the form of retinol (found in over-the-counter products) and retinoic acid (found in doctors ‘creams) are wrinkle-fighters and many dermatologists’ recommendations to combat the signs of aging. Studies have shown that these ingredients can stimulate collagen production: When collagen is damaged due to UV exposure and other invaders, wrinkles begin to grow, much like the cracks in a weak foundation. Retinoids “open up” the cells responsible for making new collagen, strengthen your skin and fill in fine lines under the face so that the skin looks smoother. One study found that after using a vitamin cream the doctor’s strength for 10 to 12 months participants noticed very few wrinkles, and medical experts noted an 80 percent increase in collagen.
It evens skin tone and gives you a glow
Vitamin A creams can help illuminate dark spots caused by the sun and increase the brightness of the skin in two ways: First, by increasing and adapting to the skin’s benefits, which helps you shed more pigmented, damaged, and aggressive cells, creating a healthy cell space and allowing light bounce off equally. Second, retinoids can inhibit the enzyme needed in the production of melanin (pigment), helping to further bring about a brighter, brighter color.
It clears up acne
Acne occurs when the pores are filled with dead skin cells, bacteria, and fats, providing a perfect breeding ground for Propionibacterium acnes, a common bacterial infection. When vitamin A cream rejuvenates the cell’s benefit the same process takes place within the pores themselves, which helps to reduce oil production and keep pores clear.
FAQ
What does vitamin A do to your face?
Vitamin A helps to speed up healing, prevent breakouts and support the skin's immune system and it promotes natural moisturizing - which means it helps to hydrate the skin effectively, giving it a radiant glow. It assists in promoting and maintaining a healthy dermis and epidermis; the top two layers of your skin.
Does vitamin A lighten skin?
Vitamin A creams can help lighten sun-induced brown spots and boost skin radiance in two ways: First, by increasing and normalizing skin cell turnover, which helps you shed pigmented, damaged, and rough surface cells, making room for healthier cells and allowing light to bounce off more evenly.
What is the best vitamin A for skin?
Vitamin A has two forms: retinoids and carotenoids. Both forms are readily available in a wide range of healthy foods, and eating foods containing vitamin A is considered the best way to get it into your system. Retinoids are also beneficial for acne and photoaging when applied topically to skin.
Is vitamin A safe for skin?
Vitamin A is essential for healthy eyes and skin. It exists naturally in liver, butter, and eggs; and its precursor, beta-carotene, is in colorful vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach. In order for the skin to benefit from Vitamin A, the body converts it to retinoic acid.
