Vitamin A Explained

Let’s talk about vitamin A in skincare. It promotes epidermal cell turnover, stimulates collagen production, and helps regulate pigmentation but I want to talk specifically about the difference between retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate. These are all often called “retinoids,” but each form varies in strength, speed, and how your skin responds.

All three are derivatives of vitamin A that must convert to retinoic acid, the active form your skin can actually use. That conversion process is what determines their potency.

Retinyl palmitate is the gentlest—and weakest—of the three. It goes through three conversions (to retinol, then retinaldehyde, then retinoic acid) before becoming active. Because of this, it’s less irritating, but also slower to deliver visible results. It’s ideal for sensitive skin or beginners.

→ Try VEEA FACE Brightening Serum, which pairs Retinyl Palmitate with vitamins A, C, E, peptides, and tranexamic acid to gently brighten and even skin tone.

Next is retinol, the most widely used form. It only needs two conversions to become active, so it’s stronger and delivers more noticeable results—smoother texture, fewer fine lines, improved tone. However, it can also cause more irritation, especially at first. Supporting your skin barrier and starting slow is key.

→ A great option is SkinBetter AlphaRet Overnight Cream. It uses a unique retinoid–lactic acid hybrid (Ethyl‑Lactyl‑Retinoate) for a slow, steady release that minimizes irritation but still delivers prescription-level results.

Finally, there’s retinaldehyde, or retinal. Just one conversion away from retinoic acid, it’s the most potent non-prescription option. It works faster, penetrates better, and is often better tolerated than retinol thanks to its stability.

→ The Osmosis Vitamin A serums—Renew MD, Correct MD, and Calm—are powered by liposomal retinaldehyde for serious results with minimal irritation. Calm is ideal for sensitive skin, Correct MD is great for all-around anti-aging, and Renew MD is our best-seller for those ready to level up.

So, how do you choose? It depends on your skin type, experience, and how fast you want to see results. Retinyl palmitate is like dipping your toe in the water, retinol is the balanced middle ground, and retinaldehyde offers faster results with surprisingly good tolerability.

No matter where you start, consistency and barrier support are key. There’s no one-size-fits-all—but understanding the difference helps you find what your skin truly needs.