Retinol

AKA: All-trans-Retinol, 68-26-8, Trans-retinol, Veroftal, Agoncal, Bentavit A, Homagenets Aoral, Sehkraft A, Testavol S
Synthetic
Skin Conditioner
Retinoid
Not Clean
OriginDerived from plant sources including carrots, sweet potatoes, and palm oil rich in carotenoids and vitamin A precursors. Synthesized through chemical extraction and purification of retinyl acetate or retinyl palmitate from botanical carotenoid compounds.
Vitamin A (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 ingested in a precursor form; animal sources (milk and eggs) contain retinyl esters, whereas plants (carrots, spinach) contain pro-vitamin A carotenoids. Hydrolysis of retinyl esters results in retinol while pro-vitamin A carotenoids can be cleaved to produce retinal. Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, can be reversibly reduced to produce retinol or it can be irreversibly oxidized to produce retinoic acid. Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response. Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of carotenoids found in plants. It is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products.
Solubility Practically insoluble (NTP, 1992)
Formula
C20H30O
Mol. Weight
286.50
CAS #
68-26-8, 11103-57-4
Form
Oil
State
Vitamin a appears as yellow crystals or orange solid. Practically water insoluble. (NTP, 1992)
Skin Types
●all-skin-types
Best For
Wrinkles
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safe
No
Functions
Skin Conditioning
A catch-all term for ingredients that improve how skin looks and feels — softer, smoother, more supple. The workhorse behind most moisturizers.
Miscellaneous
Boosts collagen production
Reduces fine lines
Supports cell turnover
Evens pigmentation
Smooths skin texture
The paper trail
🔬Peer-reviewed2 papers →
⚖️Regulatory2 listings →
🛡️Safety-assessed2 reviews →
Counts, not a verdict. A listing isn't a study. The trail, you decide.
EWG
4
CIR
Safe as used
Pregnancy
No
CIR Safety Findings
Not Phototoxic
CIR Panel statement found no phototoxicity in the CIR safety assessment (CIR 547)
Not a Sensitizer
1 study / 1 not sensitizing (CIR 160)
Skin Irritant in Testing
1 study / 1 irritating (CIR 160)
Concentration Guide
Leave-on0.0005–1%
Rinse-off0.0005–0.1%
0%50%100%
CIR reported use · 2013 survey
Regulatory Status
USA✔ permitted
EU⚠ restricted
JAPAN⚠ restricted
CANADA⚠ restricted
Verified Jun 2026
Data: PubChem · CosIng · EWG · CIR