If there is one ingredient almost every skin doctor agrees on, it is vitamin A. It encourages skin to renew itself, which over time helps smooth fine lines, soften texture, clear congested pores and even out tone. But the vitamin A family has several members, and the two you will hear about most are retinol and prescription-strength vitamin A.
What is the difference?
Retinol is available without a prescription. Your skin has to convert it into its active form before it can work, so it is gentler and results build more gradually. It is the right place to start for most people.
Prescription-strength vitamin A is already in the active form. Because it does not need converting, it is considerably stronger and works faster, but it is also more likely to cause dryness, peeling and sensitivity. In the UK it is a prescription-only medicine, so it can only be supplied after a consultation.
Starting with retinol
If you have never used a vitamin A product before, a low-strength retinol is the sensible first step. Obagi Retinol 0.5 is the one we most often recommend to begin with. Once your skin is comfortable with it, usually after a few months, you can move up to Retinol 1.0.
A few tips that make a big difference:
- Start slowly. Two evenings a week for the first fortnight, then build up.
- Use a pea-sized amount on dry skin, after cleansing.
- Moisturise afterwards. A comforting cream such as Hydrate Luxe helps with any early dryness.
- Wear SPF every morning. Vitamin A makes skin more sensitive to the sun. Obagi Sun Shield SPF50 is our everyday choice.
When prescription vitamin A makes sense
Prescription-strength vitamin A can be a good option for stubborn acne, more established lines, or pigmentation that has not responded to over-the-counter products. Because it is stronger, it needs to be introduced carefully and monitored, which is why it is only available after a consultation with Dr Chi.
Who should avoid vitamin A?
Retinol and prescription vitamin A are not recommended if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding. If you have a skin condition such as eczema or rosacea, speak to us before starting.
Not sure where you fit? Take our skin quiz for a personalised routine, or book a consultation to talk through prescription options.
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