Retinol Vs. Retinyl Palmitate
Aging, the sun, pollution and smoke can damage your skin, making you look older or causing breakouts. Topical vitamin A is one way to slow the effects of aging and turn back the hands of time. Sold in creams, gels and medicated pads, topical vitamin A comes in several forms, including retinol and retinyl palmitate 123.** Each ingredient has differences in terms of their effectiveness, yet both are use frequently in anti-aging skin care products.
Vitamin A
Both retinol and retinyl palmitate are forms of vitamin A.. Retinyl palmitate is an ester -- or chemical compound -- formed from the reaction of retinol and palmitic acid 123. In order to use any form of topical vitamin A, the body must convert it first into retinoic acid. Retinyl palmitate must be broken down into retinol, then retinaldehyde and finally retinoic acid 126.
Exfoliating Effects
Alpha Hydroxy Vs. Retinol
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Retinol is used in a variety of skincare preparations as an exfoliant to stimulate cell turnover in your skin. Products with retinol help you to look younger because retinol stimulates collagen fiber growth. **While retinyl palmitate is an earlier form of retinol, it does not have the same effects 126.* Instead, retinyl palmitate can be effective in boosting collagen fiber production in your skin, which can help you look younger 1.* However, retinyl palmitate does not have the same exfoliating effects as retinol 12.
- Retinol is used in a variety of skincare preparations as an exfoliant to stimulate cell turnover in your skin.
- While retinyl palmitate is an earlier form of retinol, it does not have the same effects 1.
Concentration Clues
Retinyl palmitate is about 20 percent less potent than retinol, according to the website FutureDerm.com 16. If your skin is very sensitive, retinyl palmitate may be a better option for you 1. However, this depends upon the concentration of each product that is used. If retinyl palmitate is high on an ingredients listing, it can be just as potent as retinol 16.
Dos and Don'ts
The Difference Between Retinol and Retin-A
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You can purchase retinol in both over-the-counter and in prescription preparations. Some people may be especially sensitive to retinol, however, and should not continue its use if you have severe symptoms. Side effects can include peeling, redness and dryness. Because retinol can be excreted into breast milk, you may wish to discontinue its use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Retinyl palmitate is more controversial in terms of its safety 12. The website Environmental Working Group says that retinyl palmitate can accelerate the growth of tumors in rats 13. However, researchers such as Richard Glogau, a clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco, are doubtful the results would be duplicated in humans, according to a July 2010 article on the website of "Wall Street Journal."
- You can purchase retinol in both over-the-counter and in prescription preparations.
- Because retinol can be excreted into breast milk, you may wish to discontinue its use when pregnant or breast-feeding.
Related Articles
References
- Paula's Choice: Retinyl Palmitate
- Smart Skincare; Skin Benefits of Retinol and Retinyl Palmitate; 2011
- Environmental Working Group; Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate); 2011
- "Time"; Dermatologist Susses Sunscreen Cancer Risk; Tiffany O'Callaghan; June 2010
- "Wall Street Journal'; Sunscreen Series Wrap-Up: What About Retinyl Palmitate?; Katherine Hobson; July 2010
- Future Derm: Tretinoin, Retinol, and Retinyl Palmitate: The Key to Anti-Aging Success?
- Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS). Vitamin A fact sheet for professionals. National Institutes of Health. Updated February 2020.
- O’Byrne SM, Blaner WS. Retinol and Retinyl Esters: Biochemistry and Physiology: Thematic Review Series: Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin A. Journal of Lipid Research. 2013;54(7):1731-1743. doi:10.1194/jlr.R037648
- Aibana O, Franke MF, Huang CC, et al. Impact of Vitamin A and Carotenoids on the Risk of Tuberculosis Progression. Clin Infect Dis. 2017;65(6):900-909. doi:10.1093/cid/cix476
- Soh AZ, Chee CBE, Wang YT, Yuan JM, Koh WP. Dietary Intake of Antioxidant Vitamins and Carotenoids and Risk of Developing Active Tuberculosis in a Prospective Population-Based Cohort Study. Am J Epidemiol. 2017;186(4):491-500. doi:10.1093/aje/kwx132
- Misotti AM, Gnagnarella P. Vitamin supplement consumption and breast cancer risk: a review. Ecancermedicalscience. 2013;7:365. doi:10.3332/ecancer.2013.365
- Schwingshackl L, Boeing H, Stelmach-mardas M, et al. Dietary Supplements and Risk of Cause-Specific Death, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Primary Prevention Trials. Adv Nutr. 2017;8(1):27-39. doi:10.3945/an.116.013516
- 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. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 2017 Jul;93(4):1096-1114. doi:10.1111/php.12730
- Environmental Working Group. The Problem With Vitamin A. 2018.
- National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A. 2018.
- O’Byrne SM, Blaner WS. Retinol and Retinyl Esters: Biochemistry and Physiology: Thematic Review Series: Fat-Soluble Vitamins: Vitamin A. Journal of Lipid Research. 2013;54(7):1731-1743. doi:10.1194%2Fjlr.R037648
- Schwingshackl L, Boeing H, Stelmach-Mardas M, et al. Dietary Supplements and Risk of Cause-Specific Death, Cardiovascular Disease, and Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Primary Prevention Trials. Advances in Nutrition. 2017;8(1):27-39. doi: 10.3945%2Fan.116.013516
Writer Bio
Rachel Nall began writing in 2003. She is a former managing editor for custom health publications, including physician journals. She has written for The Associated Press and "Jezebel," "Charleston," "Chatter" and "Reach" magazines. Nall is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Tennessee.