How to Choose the Right Vitamin A Serum?

Dr saba qutub ●
vitamin-a
A woman applying vitamin A serum for premature ageing signs on her face

Vitamin A has earned its reputation in skincare due to its proven effectiveness and versatility. It is among the few ingredients with decades of solid scientific backing for its anti-ageing claims and skin-renewing benefits. 

However, not all vitamin A serums are created equal. The right serum depends on your skin sensitivity, experience with actives, and specific concerns. If you're looking to buy the right vitamin A serum, this blog outlines a few factors you must consider.  

Vitamin A Benefits 

Vitamin A is available in several forms, including retinol, retinaldehyde, tretinoin, and adapalene. Each form differs in strength, speed of action, and how well the skin tolerates it. 

Vitamin A benefits the skin in various ways, including;

  • Increasing the cellular turnover
  • Combating fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing
  • Improving the collagen production
  • Reducing breakouts, acne scars, and post-acne hyperpigmentation
  • Revitalising overall skin quality 

Let's explore the factors you need to consider before investing in a vitamin A serum. 

Choose a Vitamin A Derivative

First, it is important to choose which form of Vitamin A to use. Each retinoid has its own characteristics, and it is important to understand which one will best support your skin type and skin concern.

  • Retinol: Retinol is the most popular derivative of vitamin A. But it needs to get converted into retinoic acid, which makes the results slower. The smarter and gentler alternative is retinaldehyde. 
  • Retinaldehyde: Retinaldehyde lies somewhere in the middle of retinol and retinoic acid in potency, and requires a single-step conversion to become active. It can deliver more effective results with less risk of irritation, making it a better option for sensitive skin. A study indicates that retinaldehyde has favourable impacts on the vascular component of rosacea.
  • Retinoic Acid: It is the biologically active form of vitamin A and the most potent derivative. It works without needing conversion, which gives faster results. 
  • Retinyl Palmitate: This is the most gentle form, which can suit sensitive skin or vitamin A beginners. It's less potent than retinol but more stable and gentler. 
  • Retinyl Acetate: It is another low-potency option with a slow-release formula. It promotes radiance and addresses early signs of ageing gradually, making it suitable for those just starting with vitamin A.
  • Start With the Right Strength

Choosing a high-strength vitamin A serum in the beginning can leave side effects, certain reactions, irritation, dryness, and disruption of the skin barrier. You need to build your skin's tolerance over time. Start with the lowest concentration possible and apply it two to three times a week in your nighttime skincare routine. 

Sun exposure can push your skin to react while you're undergoing vitamin A topical application. Ensure to apply SPF 35+ or a suitable SPF moisturiser. Once the tolerance is established, you can smoothly move to a one step higher concentration. 

Check the Formulation

What surrounds the vitamin A in a serum matters just as much as concentration. The combined ingredients can contribute to increasing your serum's effectiveness.

When buying vitamin A serum, look for the following supporting ingredients in the formula;

  • Hyaluronic Acid: A popular hydrating ingredient that works for all skin types. Hyaluronic acid complements vitamin A, penetrates deep into the skin, and moisturises evenly. 
  • Niacinamide: Niacinamide strengthens the skin barrier, soothes inflammation, and can help with vitamin A effectiveness. 
  • Peptides: They can boost collagen production. When combined with vitamin A, peptides are more effective than alone to fight anti-ageing for certain skin types. 
  • Antioxidants: Pair vitamin A with antioxidants like vitamin E and CoQ10 to shield the skin against free radical damage. 

Consider Your Skin Type

Understanding your skin type is necessary, even when you are not looking for any product. It is the foundation of your skincare and related practices. Every skin type is unique and has different needs. Dry skin can feel tight after cleansing, and oily skin requires lightweight face moisturisers. 

Individuals with sensitive skin should be particularly mindful of what they are applying. Furthermore, changing skin also seeks your attention during the changing weather conditions. 

To understand your skin type, refer to our detailed guide: Know Your Skin Type

Know Your Concerns

Regular flare-ups can be different from seasonal flushing in sensitive skin. They might be confusing, but if you pay attention to the triggers, it can be easier to find a skincare regimen. Common skin concerns, such as acne, fine lines, post-acne hyperpigmentation, and uneven skin tone, require different care. Concerns need to be carefully studied. If the doubt persists, it's advisable to see the doctor. 

Vitamin A serums containing retinaldehyde can help with texture, ageing concerns, and acne. It’s best to begin with the lower concentration.  

Check Packaging and Stability

Packaging plays a part in how effective vitamin A remains over time. It is a sensitive ingredient and can break down when it comes in contact with air, light, and heat. Be cautious while choosing the product packaging, as a poor one might reduce the potency. 

Go for the opaque packaging with proper air-tightening for stability and longer effectiveness.  

Seek a Doctor's Advice

If you feel stinging and irritation, you might be using the wrong ingredient, concentration, or procedure. You must ask your doctor. They can help you to understand your concern, skin type, current condition, and the right product to help your concern while soothing the sensitive skin. 

If you are a vitamin A beginner, and your skin fights with almost all actives, in this case, you also should see the doctor.  

DRSQ Vitamin A Serums

DRSQ offers 3 strength vitamin A serums in different concentrations for beginners, intermediate, and advanced. Along with retinaldehyde, our serums are blended with niacinamide, lactic acid, and DNA peptides to improve fine lines, wrinkles, fight acne, and uneven skin tone. 

Starter Vitamin A has 0.25% retinaldehyde and works ideally for individuals new to vitamin A. 

Starter Vitamin A serum with 0.25% retialdehyde

If your skin has already been introduced to vitamin A and can tolerate an intermediate level, Miracle Pro Vitamin serum has 0.5% retinaldehyde to fight ageing signs and acne. 

Advanced Vitamin A serum can help with fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, and oily skin with !% retinaldehyde. 

References

  • L Schoeff, "Vitamin A", 1983 Jun
  • P Creidi, P Humbert, "Clinical use of topical retinaldehyde on photoaged skin", 1999
  • Siddharth Mukherjee, Abhijit Date, Vandana Patravale, Hans Christian Korting, Alexander Roeder, Günther Weindl, "Retinoids in the treatment of skin aging: an overview of clinical efficacy and safety", 2006
  • Bezaleel 1, Kieran T Mellody, Orsolya Kiss, Clare O'Connor, Mike Bell, Rachel E B Watson, Abigail K Langton, "Cosmetic retinoid use in photoaged skin: A review of the compounds, their use and mechanisms of action", 2025 Feb

Dr saba qutub

Dr. Saba Qutub, MBBS, DRANZCOG, FRACGP, is an Australian General Practitioner, Cosmetic Physician and the founder of DRSQ Skincare. She’s been practicing cosmetic medicine for 10+ years, and her clinical interests span dermatology, skin cancer, women’s and children’s health, and mental health. She writes about clinically proven skincare practices and long-term skin wellness.