Benefits and Risks of Retinyl Palmitate From Vitamin A

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSkin BenefitsSide EffectsHow ProducedForms and ApplicationAlternatives

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Skin Benefits

Side Effects

How Produced

Forms and Application

Alternatives

Even though retinyl palmitate is synthetic, it works like naturalvitamin Ain the body, helping with eyesight, skin health, and fighting infections. However, it’s important to know how to use retinyl palmitate, including safety considerations.

Retinyl palmitate helps keep skin healthy. It stimulates skin cells to grow and repair themselves, which helps make skin smooth, reduce wrinkles, and look younger.By speeding up the skin renewal process, new skin cells are frequently brought to the surface.

It can also improvecollagenproduction. Collagen is a structural protein in skin. Collagen production can slow as people age, and using retinyl palmitate can help keep the process going.

In addition to promoting smooth skin, retinyl palmitate can treat acne. It keeps pores open and unclogged and can help reduce bacteria contributing to acne. Additionally, it can reduce the inflammation often experienced with acne.

Other Uses as a Supplement

Besides helping your skin, vitamin A is important for staying healthy overall. One of its main jobs is to support healthy eyesight. It can protect the surface of the eye and prevent issues like night blindness.

Side Effects and Safety Considerations

Retinyl palmitate is less potent than prescription-strengthretinol. Both are forms of vitamin A, but retinol is a more active and potent form that the body can use directly. A disadvantage is that retinol can irritate and dry the skin.

Retinyl palmitate is less potent because it needs to be converted into retinol before the body can use it. This conversion process means it’s gentler on the skin and isn’t as likely to cause irritation.

The most common side effect of retinol is irritation to the skin, which shows up as redness or discoloration, dryness, and peeling.Too much vitamin Ain oral supplement form can cause blurred vision, dizziness, nausea, and headaches.

It’s important to know that not everyone should use retinyl palmitate. Pregnant people are often warned against using it as it may affect the fetus.People with certain health conditions, like liver disease or kidney problems, should also avoid using retinyl palmitate unless they have permission from their healthcare provider.

How Retinyl Palmitate Comes From Vitamin A

When it’s used, either topically or orally, the body converts the retinyl palmitate into the active form. This allows the body to use vitamin A to help keep the skin, immune system, and eyes healthy.

Forms and Application Instructions

Retinyl palmitate comes in several forms. It is commonly found in capsules or tablets as a dietary supplement to help with overall health, like boosting your immune system and supporting good vision. It’s also added to fortified foods, such as milk and cereals, to help people get enough vitamin A through their diet.

Also, when using products with retinyl palmitate, it’s important to avoid sun exposure. Some studies in animal models have found it may enhance the carcinogenic effects of sunlight.

Retinyl Palmitate Alternatives

Several alternative sources of vitamin A can provide health benefits. One option is to focus on getting natural sources of vitamin A through food. Foods rich inbeta-carotene, like carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, and kale, are a good choice. Beta-carotene is a plant-based form of vitamin A that the body can convert into retinol.

Additionally, if you’re looking for supplements, you can seek out whole-food multivitamins or those that emphasize natural sources of vitamin A. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, especially if you have specific health concerns.

Summary

Vitamin A palmitate, also known as retinyl palmitate, is a synthetic form of vitamin A commonly used in skin care, supplements, and fortified foods. It offers many health benefits, such as supporting healthy skin, eyesight, and the immune system.

Although it is less potent than retinol, it can still be effective. However, it’s important to use it correctly and be mindful of side effects, especially when taken as a supplement or used during pregnancy.

For those looking for alternatives, natural sources of vitamin A, like beta-carotene-rich foods, provide a safer option. Always consult a healthcare provider to ensure vitamin A is used safely and effectively.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shu P, Li M, Zhao N, Wang Y, Zhang L, Du Z.Efficacy and mechanism of retinyl palmitate against UVB-induced skin photoaging.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1278838.doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1278838Salem HF, Kharshoum RM, Awad SM, Ahmed Mostafa M, Abou-Taleb HA.Tailoring of retinyl palmitate-based ethosomal hydrogel as a novel nanoplatform for acne vulgaris management: fabrication, optimization, and clinical evaluation employing a split-face comparative study.Int J Nanomedicine. 2021;16:4251-4276. doi:10.2147/IJN.S301597Carazo A, Macáková K, Matoušová K, Krčmová LK, Protti M, Mladěnka P.Vitamin A update: forms, sources, kinetics, detection, function, deficiency, therapeutic use and toxicity.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1703. doi:10.3390/nu13051703Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging properties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614Aslan D, Soztutar E, Ay H.Adverse effects of maternal retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A compound, on the fetal liver.Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2023;93(6):529-534. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000769Choi BH, Hwang HJ, Lee JE, et al.Microbial production of retinyl palmitate and its application as a cosmeceutical.Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1130.Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A and carotenoids.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Retinoids, topical.Boudreau MD, Beland FA, Felton RP, Fu PP, Howard PC, Mellick PW, Thorn BT, Olson GR.Photo-co-carcinogenesis of topically applied retinyl palmitate in SKH-1 hairless mice.Photochem Photobiol. 2017;93(4):1096-1114. doi:10.1111/php.12730

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Shu P, Li M, Zhao N, Wang Y, Zhang L, Du Z.Efficacy and mechanism of retinyl palmitate against UVB-induced skin photoaging.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1278838.doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1278838Salem HF, Kharshoum RM, Awad SM, Ahmed Mostafa M, Abou-Taleb HA.Tailoring of retinyl palmitate-based ethosomal hydrogel as a novel nanoplatform for acne vulgaris management: fabrication, optimization, and clinical evaluation employing a split-face comparative study.Int J Nanomedicine. 2021;16:4251-4276. doi:10.2147/IJN.S301597Carazo A, Macáková K, Matoušová K, Krčmová LK, Protti M, Mladěnka P.Vitamin A update: forms, sources, kinetics, detection, function, deficiency, therapeutic use and toxicity.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1703. doi:10.3390/nu13051703Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging properties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614Aslan D, Soztutar E, Ay H.Adverse effects of maternal retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A compound, on the fetal liver.Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2023;93(6):529-534. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000769Choi BH, Hwang HJ, Lee JE, et al.Microbial production of retinyl palmitate and its application as a cosmeceutical.Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1130.Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A and carotenoids.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Retinoids, topical.Boudreau MD, Beland FA, Felton RP, Fu PP, Howard PC, Mellick PW, Thorn BT, Olson GR.Photo-co-carcinogenesis of topically applied retinyl palmitate in SKH-1 hairless mice.Photochem Photobiol. 2017;93(4):1096-1114. doi:10.1111/php.12730

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Shu P, Li M, Zhao N, Wang Y, Zhang L, Du Z.Efficacy and mechanism of retinyl palmitate against UVB-induced skin photoaging.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1278838.doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1278838Salem HF, Kharshoum RM, Awad SM, Ahmed Mostafa M, Abou-Taleb HA.Tailoring of retinyl palmitate-based ethosomal hydrogel as a novel nanoplatform for acne vulgaris management: fabrication, optimization, and clinical evaluation employing a split-face comparative study.Int J Nanomedicine. 2021;16:4251-4276. doi:10.2147/IJN.S301597Carazo A, Macáková K, Matoušová K, Krčmová LK, Protti M, Mladěnka P.Vitamin A update: forms, sources, kinetics, detection, function, deficiency, therapeutic use and toxicity.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1703. doi:10.3390/nu13051703Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging properties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614Aslan D, Soztutar E, Ay H.Adverse effects of maternal retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A compound, on the fetal liver.Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2023;93(6):529-534. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000769Choi BH, Hwang HJ, Lee JE, et al.Microbial production of retinyl palmitate and its application as a cosmeceutical.Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1130.Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A and carotenoids.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Retinoids, topical.Boudreau MD, Beland FA, Felton RP, Fu PP, Howard PC, Mellick PW, Thorn BT, Olson GR.Photo-co-carcinogenesis of topically applied retinyl palmitate in SKH-1 hairless mice.Photochem Photobiol. 2017;93(4):1096-1114. doi:10.1111/php.12730

Shu P, Li M, Zhao N, Wang Y, Zhang L, Du Z.Efficacy and mechanism of retinyl palmitate against UVB-induced skin photoaging.Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1278838.doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1278838

Salem HF, Kharshoum RM, Awad SM, Ahmed Mostafa M, Abou-Taleb HA.Tailoring of retinyl palmitate-based ethosomal hydrogel as a novel nanoplatform for acne vulgaris management: fabrication, optimization, and clinical evaluation employing a split-face comparative study.Int J Nanomedicine. 2021;16:4251-4276. doi:10.2147/IJN.S301597

Carazo A, Macáková K, Matoušová K, Krčmová LK, Protti M, Mladěnka P.Vitamin A update: forms, sources, kinetics, detection, function, deficiency, therapeutic use and toxicity.Nutrients. 2021;13(5):1703. doi:10.3390/nu13051703

Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging properties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614

Aslan D, Soztutar E, Ay H.Adverse effects of maternal retinyl palmitate, a vitamin A compound, on the fetal liver.Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2023;93(6):529-534. doi:10.1024/0300-9831/a000769

Choi BH, Hwang HJ, Lee JE, et al.Microbial production of retinyl palmitate and its application as a cosmeceutical.Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1130.

Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin A and carotenoids.

American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Retinoids, topical.

Boudreau MD, Beland FA, Felton RP, Fu PP, Howard PC, Mellick PW, Thorn BT, Olson GR.Photo-co-carcinogenesis of topically applied retinyl palmitate in SKH-1 hairless mice.Photochem Photobiol. 2017;93(4):1096-1114. doi:10.1111/php.12730

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