Retinol - Information about Retinol

Retinol is one of the most active forms of vitamin A, and is found in animal foods such as liver and eggs. It can be converted to retinal and retinoic acid, other active forms of the vitamin A family.

Retinol, is a yellow fat-soluble, antioxidant vitamin important in vision and bone growth. It belongs to the family of chemical compounds known as retinoids.

Retinol is a type of Vitamin A, which is very beneficial to humans. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin. It is considered to be essential for proper vision and bone growth. Retinol is also used as a treatment for acne and skin ailments.

Retinol is one of several natural forms of vitamin A. Other forms of vitamin A include retinal and retinyl palmitate.

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin that occurs in two forms in nature. It is found in its true form also called retinol in animal foods such as fish oils and liver. It can be found in vegetables in the form of beta-carotene or provitamin A. This form is found in plants and is the precursor of the actual vitamin. Beta-carotene has to be converted in the body in order to be used by it. Fat and bile are needed for the conversion.

The liver regulates the blood level of vitamin A. It needs a special protein carrier to be transported throughout the body. An adequate protein and fat intake is required for a good absorption of vitamin A.

Retinol is an anti-oxidant, a compound that may protect against disease by neutralizing unstable oxygen molecules, called free radicals, within the body. This vitamin is involved in the night vision, growth, cell differentiation and reproduction. It also maintains the health of the skin and surface tissues especially those with mucous linings.

Retinol is pure and active Vitamin A. Another well known, synthetic form of Vitamin A is tretinoin, better known as Retin-A. Vitamin A is one of the few substances with a small enough molecular structure to penetrate the outer layers of the skin and work to repair the lower layers of the skin where collagen and elastin reside. This allows it to repair and stimulate collagen and elastin, creating firmer, smoother skin. This is a good alternative for those with sensitive skin who cannot tolerate tretinoin.

Derivatives of vitamin A, such as tretinoin and retinol, work to increase cell turnover and exfoliation by stimulating cell production underneath the skin. This process slows down with age, allowing layers of dead, thick, sun damaged skin cells to remain on the surface. As a result- skin looks dull and thick, pores look large and sun-related damage such as age spots and blotchiness appear.

Natural retinoids are present in all living organisms, either as preformed vitamin A or as carotenoids, and are required for a vast number of biological processes like vision and cellular growth. A major biologic function of vitamin A is in the visual cycle.