Is Vitamin A In Skincare Vegan? What Is Vitamin A Made Of?

By Anett Rannamets. Updated: April 2023.
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The forms of vitamin A used in skincare are produced only synthetically. So, vitamin A in skincare is always vegan. 

Vitamin A is an anti-aging skincare ingredient with many other beneficial features. Vitamin A has a holistic effect on the well-being of the skin. Its effects begin in the cell nucleus, where it stimulates epidermal stem cells to grow and mature into healthy skin cells.

What Is Vitamin A In Skincare Made Of?

When skincare brands refer to vitamin A, they usually mean retinol or other retinoids. The human body contains vitamin A naturally. When it comes to skincare, retinoids are only made synthetically. 

Vitamin A is as important to the skin as oxygen and water are to the human body. When a child is born, there is enough vitamin A in their skin. But it decreases over the years under the influence of UV radiation, air pollution, and various lifestyle factors. 

The skin receives vitamin A from the liver through the bloodstream. Since many external and internal factors devastate the skin’s stores of vitamin A, the body’s own mechanisms are almost never sufficient to meet the vitamin A needs of adult skin.

Almost every adult suffers from vitamin A deficiency, which causes premature aging of the skin and other problems in the body. 

The body gets vitamin A usually from food. Vitamin A is mainly found in animal liver, eggs, and fish. But also in vegetables and fruit with a high beta-carotene content. In skin care, however, it is made synthetically. Therefore, vitamin A in skincare is vegan.

Vitamin A derivatives used in skin care are called retinoids. These include several substances. The most popular of them are retinol, Retin-A, and retinyl palmitate.

Why Is Vitamin A Used In Skincare?

Vitamin A is used in skincare because it reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone, fades dark spots, and minimizes acne scars. It also regulates oily skin, tightens pores, and strengthens the skin.

Retinoids aka vitamin A derivatives in skincare tighten the skin and are mainly used in anti-aging skincare or skincare made for mature skin. Vitamin A contributes to the formation of collagen. So it strengthens the skin’s elasticity which leads to reduced wrinkles

Vitamin A also has an antioxidant effect. It helps to protect against free radicals. So it strengthens the protective barrier and defends the skin from environmental damage.

It also keeps oily skin under control and reduces sebum production. So, it also prevents pimples, breakouts, and acne. Vitamin A tightens pores and helps to get rid of dead skin cells. Therefore, it is often found in skincare designed for acne-prone and oily skin.

Due to the stimulation of collagen production, the skincare ingredient improves skin texture. As well as reduces acne scars. As vitamin A can curb melanin production, it also helps to reduce dark spots and hyperpigmentation. 

FAQ About Vitamin A In Skincare

Why is vitamin A used in skincare?

Vitamin A is used in skincare because it reduces wrinkles, improves skin tone, fades dark spots, and minimizes acne scars. It also regulates oily skin, tightens pores, and strengthens the skin.

Is vitamin A in skincare vegan?

Yes. Vitamin A in skincare is vegan. The forms of vitamin A used in skincare are produced only synthetically.

Summary

Vitamin A is a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare products. It fights free radicals, strengthens the skin barrier, and gets rid of dark areas. As well as contributes to collagen production which leads to reduced fine lines and wrinkles.

When dermatology talks about vitamin A, it usually refers to retinoids. These are derivatives of vitamin A, the most popular of which is retinol. Retinoids are vegan components since they are produced synthetically.

See also: Best Vegan Skincare Products

Anett is a passionate journalist, writer, and magazine editor with almost 7 years of experience. Through engaging articles, she brings kinder and more environmentally-friendly choices closer to everybody.