Vitamin A: Topping The A-List Of Skin Care

Vitamin A is the one remarkable ingredient that does it all—exfoliates, repairs, retextures, rejuvenates.

Better known as retinol or retinoid, Vitamin A emerged as the dramatic change agent for skin in the late sixties when James E. Fulton, M.D., Ph.D., was looking for a way to treat acne more effectively. Dr. Fulton co-developed Retin-A® and kicked off the retinoid revolution.

Highly effective in bringing impurities to the surface, clearing them away, and stimulating the production of new, healthier skin, Retin-A®’s ability to accelerate cell turnover and generate new collagen made it exceptionally good for treating photo-damaged skin as well.

But Retin-A® could be irritating; it required a prescription, and, at the time, could only be prescribed for acne. Worse, when commercially released by Johnson & Johnson, the formula included comedogenic ingredients. Dr. Fulton wanted to find a way to harness the exceptional benefits of Retin-A® without the irritation, keep the formula non-comedogenic, and make it available over the counter. Others had the same idea, hence the wide array of Vitamin A derivatives on the market today.

All are definitely not created equal. Some cause redness. Some don’t penetrate deeply enough into to live up to their promise. Some are extremely slow to show results.

Dr. Fulton, developed and patented Vitamin A propionate with a smaller molecular structure that allows it to reach the deeper layers of skin where it accelerates cell proliferation and the growth of collagen and elastin more effectively, and in less time than other Vitamin A derivatives.

Skin cells are formed and shed off naturally every thirty days. Vitamin A propionate accelerates that renewal cycle to between 10 and 14 days. The upper layers of dead skin are shed off more quickly and the build-up of new debris is minimized. New skin is revealed, collagen production is stimulated. The dermis is increased as cells plump. The cell layers on the surface of the skin are reduced from 14 layers of compacted dead cell debris to eight or nine resiliently elastic layers that give skin a healthy, youthful glow.

The A-List Of Benefits:

Removes dead skin cells

Repairs cellular structure

Reverses photo-aging

Breaks up excess melanin to brighten skin

Decreases sebum production

Diminishes and refines pores

Diminishes blemishes

Strengthens the skin matrix

Improves hydration

Increases blood flow

Stimulates collagen and elastin production

Thickens the dermis

Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Gives skin a glowing appearance

Because of the highly active nature of Vitamin A, you will both see and feel the results in your skin. Don’t fear the flake. Micro-peeling is what you want. Add a little Buffing Grains into your routine to help remove any flaking. Don’t increase your moisturizer. Your skin isn’t dry. It’s regenerating.

If you haven’t used Vitamin A before, it’s best to start with a lower concentration to allow skin to acclimate. As skin acclimates, bump up to stronger formulas to keep your progress going. Vitamin A can be used daily and, unless your skin is sensitive, morning and night is fine.

For clearing acne, fighting the signs of aging, or just promoting and maintaining firm, bright, glowing skin, Vitamin A is top of the list.

Pro tip:  Don’t wait for your first wrinkle to start thinking about anti-aging. Keep wrinkles away with Vitamin A.

Visit Vivant’s vitamin A collection.