Ingredient Spotlight: Vitamin A

Ingredient Spotlight · Cosmetic Active

The Vitamin A

The renewal vitamin. Regenerating and normalizing, vitamin A helps skin renew itself, regulate sebum and stay elastic.

The portrait of a benchmark molecule, which we use in its gentlest form.

RegeneratingAntioxidantBalancingAnti-AgingPurifying

Shop our vitamin A treatments

Common name: Vitamin A, retinol; retinoids for the family.
INCI name: Retinyl Palmitate (vitamin A ester, the only form used at Yon-Ka).
Family, type: Fat-soluble vitamin; retinoid; regenerating and normalizing active.
Found in nature: As retinol in liver, egg yolk and butter; as beta-carotene (provitamin A) in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach and apricots.
How it's obtained: Synthesis, followed by esterification with palmitic acid to obtain a stable, gentle form.

Typical concentration: Low: European regulations cap vitamin A at 0.05% retinol equivalent in face care³; our formulas, made in France, comply.
Organoleptic properties: Appearance: pale yellow oil or wax; Scent: neutral.
Physical characteristics: Fat-soluble; sensitive to light, air and heat; retinyl palmitate is the most stable and best-tolerated retinoid, converted into retinol and then retinoic acid in the skin¹.
Benefits: Regenerating, antioxidant, sebum-regulating, refines skin texture, anti-aging.
Cosmetic indications: Combination to oily skin lacking balance, dull skin, early signs of aging. Use with sun protection.

Did you know?A little history

It was the first vitamin ever discovered, hence the letter A: in 1913, two American teams identified a fat-soluble factor essential to growth.

The Egyptians, without knowing it, already treated night blindness with liver, which is rich in vitamin A. In dermatology, its most active derivative, retinoic acid, has been prescribed since the 1970s for acne, and since the 1980s for photoaging¹.

Skincare uses gentler forms, retinol and its esters. At Yon-Ka, we use retinyl palmitate, the most gradual of them, to complete vitamins C and E in our antioxidant formulas.

General useVitamin A in everyday life

Essential for vision, immunity and the renewal of all mucous membranes and skin, vitamin A is stored in the liver. Adults need roughly 700 to 900 micrograms a day⁴, covered by half a carrot or a serving of sweet potato.

Taken orally, excess vitamin A is toxic and contraindicated during pregnancy. In skincare, concentrations are very low and regulated^2,3; as a precaution, retinoid treatments are still not recommended during pregnancy.

Cosmetic useIts properties on skin

RegeneratingIt stimulates the renewal of epidermal cells: skin texture refines, the complexion brightens¹.
BalancingIt helps regulate sebum production and tighten pores in combination to oily skin.
AntioxidantWith vitamins C and E, it forms a trio that protects skin from oxidative stress.
Anti-agingRetinoids are the most documented actives against wrinkles and photoaging¹; the palmitate works gently, over the long term.
DensifyingIt supports collagen synthesis and epidermal thickness.
Well toleratedUnlike pure retinol, retinyl palmitate doesn't irritate and suits sensitive skin.

FormulationVitamin A at Yon-Ka

A single form, chosen for its gentleness: retinyl palmitate. Skin enzymes convert it into retinol, then retinoic acid, which gives it a gradual, well-tolerated action¹.

Retinyl Palmitate

Vitamin A ester · Gentle form

Part of the A, C, E vitamin trio in our defense and balancing treatments, and the regenerating active in our sun care.

Key active in: Vital Defense · Creme 93 · Men's Nutri-Creme · Hydra N°1 Serum · Prolongateur de Bronzage · Nude Perfect Fluide
Also found in: Hydra N°1 Creme · Hydra N°1 Fluid · Creme 28 · Creme PG · Phyto 58 · Elastine Jour · Nutri Defense Creme · Men's Age Defense · La Crème – Excellence Code

Looking for a more intense "retinol" action without a retinoid? Our Bi-Serum Retinol-Like reproduces its effects with biomimetic microalgae and a mastic tree extract, 100% of natural origin.

In cosmeticsUses

Antioxidant, balancing day creams;
Tinted skin-perfecting fluids;
Sun care and tan extenders;
Multivitamin serums;
Men's care.

The Yon-Ka approach

No race for higher concentrations. We prefer a gentle vitamin A, at regulated levels, built into a vitamin trio and plant extracts, rather than an aggressive retinol that requires an adjustment period. Skin renews at its own pace.

The science of the active, the sensoriality of the plant.

How to useAdding it to your ritual

In the morning, protected
Our vitamin A treatments are used during the day, but always under sun protection when it's sunny.
Combination skin
Creme 93 after Lotion Yon-Ka PNG: it mattifies and rebalances thanks to its vitamin trio.
After sun
Prolongateur de Bronzage on the face and body to regenerate and extend your tan.

Good to knowStorage and precautions

Vitamin A is sensitive to light and air: our formulas use it as a stable ester and pair it with vitamin E, which protects it. Close your products tightly.

At cosmetic levels, retinyl palmitate is very well tolerated. European regulations now cap vitamin A in cosmetics (0.05% retinol equivalent for the face, 0.3% for the body)³; our formulas comply. As a precaution, retinoid treatments are not recommended during pregnancy. If in doubt, ask your healthcare professional.

Go furtherSources

Mukherjee S. et al. Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 2006; 1(4): 327-348. PubMed
Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS), opinion on vitamin A (retinol, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate) in cosmetic products. health.ec.europa.eu
Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/996 amending Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 as regards vitamin A. eur-lex.europa.eu
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A – Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. ods.od.nih.gov