Retinoid ·
Vitamin A
INCI: Retinyl Palmitate
What is it?
Retinyl Palmitate is a vitamin A ester (an esterified, more stable form of retinol), used in skincare as a gentler, slower-converting retinoid alternative.
What does it do?
Commonly used as a milder retinoid option, often combined with in-office procedures like microneedling for enhanced results. A preliminary split-face placebo-controlled study found 5% retinyl palmitate oleogel combined with microneedling improved acne scar appearance and patient quality of life versus microneedling with placebo alone.
How to use
Typically formulated at 0.1%-1%.
Real products containing this
Sources
This page provides general skincare information and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Ingredient interactions and evidence summaries reflect published, cited sources — not a personal assessment of your skin. For medical skin conditions, rashes, pregnancy/lactation questions or persistent concerns, please consult a licensed dermatologist or HPCSA-registered practitioner.