Vitamin A

Vitamin A is important for vision, immunity, bone health, reproduction, healthy skin, and overall growth and development. The body gets its vitamin A from two sources - preformed vitamin A, found mainly in animal foods, and provitamin A carotenoids found in fruits and vegetables.

Pregnant women need vitamin A for normal fetal development, as well as to protect both the mother and the fetus from viral infections. The body stores vitamin A in several tissues, including the liver, where it can remain for up to 6 months.

Vitamin A deficiency is the leading cause of childhood blindness worldwide.

Vitamin A deficiency also causes growth retardation and increased susceptibility to infection, especially among young children.

Vitamin A can be used to treat and prevent acne, eye infections and cold sores. It also reduces the risk of cataracts and helps in the production of mucus and tears.

The human body requires Vitamin A on a daily basis to aid in the proper functioning of the immune system, vision, skin, teeth and bones - just to name a few. Our bodies cannot create Vitamin A naturally, it cannot be stored in the body for later use, making it essential that we consume foods rich in Vitamin A on a regular basis.

Beauty Benefits of Vitamin A

Vitamin A is an essential dietary nutrient that enhances the look and feel of your skin. It is essential for night vision, cell division, normal growth, immune function and healthy vision, bone growth and development. It also aids in wound healing and slows down the ageing process.

Vitamin A is found in many nutritious foods like carrots, broccoli, spinach, fortified dairy products (like milk), eggs and liver (which is one of the best sources). However, you can also get vitamin A as a dietary supplement. Your body uses it only in small quantities, so it is stored in the liver for later use. Though it is stored in the body for later use, you should not exceed the recommended intake of vitamin A as it might lead to vitamin A toxicity.

Retinol is derived from Vitamin A. It works by converting the dead skin cells to new ones, so it's effective for people with acne, scars, and sun-damaged skin. It keeps the skin healthy by removing dirt effectively.

Vitamin A is helpful to reduce the fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. It helps in keeping the skin hydrated and smooth. It repairs delicate skin tissues. Vitamin A does not only help in keeping the skin soft but also helps in keeping it nourished.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for your skin due to its ability to boost the production of healthy sebum oils. Sebum oil is responsible for protecting skin cells from harmful elements like bacteria and ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Vitamin A is a nutrient that is important for a wide variety of body functions. It helps in the healthy growth and development of the skin, regulates hormone production, maintains vision, supports immune function and can even help regulate the digestive system.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the body. It helps maintain the health of the skin and may also prevent certain types of cancer. Vitamin A is also known as retinol.

The demand for Vitamin A in the skincare industry has increased considerably over the past few years. Dermatologists attribute the growing needs to the immense benefits that Vitamin A offers to the skin, which include faster-wound healing, preventing infections, better cell renewal and improved collagen production.

Vitamin A Supplements & Retinoids

Vitamin A is available in supplement form as well and sometimes these supplements are combinations of retinoids and carotenoids. Others are made up solely of retinoids such as retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate. Some supplements contain only carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Vitamin A is also a very common ingredient in many multivitamin and mineral supplements.

Mostly, Vitamin A for skin is added to many cosmetic products such as moisturizers, sunscreen, vitamin-infused oils and anti-ageing creams. It can also be found as a serum or as an oil. Some vitamin A supplements are also available in the form of capsules that can be broken open and applied directly to the skin.

When applied topically, Vitamin A can be beneficial for certain skin conditions like:

Acne: Topical retinoids are available via prescription and as OTC formulations. Retinoids are considered effective for treating and controlling acne because they have anti-inflammatory properties. They also help regulate the sloughing off of the skin cells, reducing the occurrence of clogged pores.

Fine lines: Topical retinoids stimulate collagen production, which makes them an effective treatment option for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. They can also help to even out skin tone by fading age spots.

Prescription retinoids are comparatively stronger than OTC versions and may be more effective for certain skin conditions. Talk to your doctor about the goals you have for your skin. In some cases, OTC retinol may be more than enough to do the trick. Otherwise, a prescription cream may be more beneficial.

Take Away

Vitamin A is one of the many vitamins that help in maintaining a clear and smooth skin. It is an essential vitamin that boosts the immune system and also works to prevent a number of illnesses. Health benefits of vitamin A include glowing skin, healthy eyes, improved immunity and prevention from a number of chronic ailments. It is important to know the usage of vitamin A when it comes to achieving a better complexion.