Vitamin A: What it does for skin and why you need to use it now

Supercharge your nightly routine with an ingredient that is nothing short of a skincare superhero.

Sometimes it’s the smallest changes that have the biggest impact. If premature lines, pigmentation, acne, scarring or dull, lifeless skin is a concern for you, a single skincare ingredient could make all the difference.

We’re talking about Vitamin A, an essential nutrient that powerfully supports skin health by stimulating the production of new skin cells.

How does Vitamin A benefit skin?

Applied as a cream or serum, Vitamin A boosts the rate of cell turnover in skin to:

Improve tone and texture;
Exfoliate dead surface cells to reveal fresh, glowing skin;
Fight acne by decreasing oil production;
And help smooth lines while also preventing new ones from appearing.

Talk about multi-purpose. There is another, all-important benefit to Vitamin A. As we age, skin gets thinner. with less bounce and elasticity. Vitamin A counters this by expanding skin cells to restore thickness and strength. In fact, a 2015 study found that just four weeks of Vitamin A topical treatments increased skin thickness, with a significant reduction in facial lines after 12 weeks.

What form of Vitamin A is best for skin?

First of all, let’s talk terminology. Vitamin A is also known as retinol and the term “retinoids” refers to the various molecules derived from Vitamin A. Retinoids, including retinyl palmitate and retinoic acid, are manufactured forms of Vitamin A that are used in skin creams and serums.

Of these, retinoic acid – available on prescription from doctors and dermatologists – is most effective when it comes to treating skin, but side effects can include peeling, redness and sun sensitivity. Now, what if we told you that you could get all the skin-boosting benefits of retinoic acid, minus the irritation? Introducing hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR) – a next-generation form of Vitamin A. It works in a similar way to the prescription retinoic acid, without causing irritation, and it also happens to be the active ingredient in Mx Skincare Cosmeceutical Serum Vitamin A+. There you have it – a safe, effective and non-irritating form of Vitamin A.

How to maximise the benefits of Vitamin A

Introduce a Vitamin A serum into your regime at night, when skin is in repair mode and most receptive to nutrients. Vitamin A is proven to improve the visible signs of ageing, but also works as a preventative. That means even 20-something skin will benefit from an evening dose of Vitamin A.

Apply about a pea-sized amount (less is more when it comes to retinols) to your cleansed face, neck and chest, or decolletage, and use every third night – topped with a nourishing moisturiser – until skin adjusts. This can take a week or two. After that, go right ahead and use every night to optimise results.

Daytime application of Vitamin A is not recommended as skin is more sensitive to UV rays. You should also wear a daily SPF to protect that fresher complexion. And finally, despite the low risk posed by topical Vitamin A, it is generally recommended that pregnant women, or those planning a pregnancy, avoid use.

Are you ready to see a real difference in your skin? Make the change with Mx Cosmeceutical Serum Vitamin A+.