Does Your Body Need Vitamin A Too?

You might have your facial skincare routine on point, but how much thought are you giving to the skin on your body? You see, it needs TLC too. And while, a swipe of moisturiser after the shower is doing your body more benefit than not, there are actives that you shouldn’t be neglecting. Especially if skin tone, texture or fine lines are a concern.

Enter: vitamin A. More specifically, my love for it as a dermal clinician, because today I want to drop a little skincare idea into your life. Perhaps try using it on your body?

Let me explain…

For those unfamiliar though, let’s quickly recap what vitamin A (retinoids) can do.

You see, retinoids is the umbrella term for a family of vitamin A ingredients, and retinol is the derivative you will most commonly find in body care products. Of course, you may have also heard of tretinoin, which is a prescription medication (and the strongest form of vitamin A) and retinal which is slightly stronger than a retinol and also becoming increasingly popular.

However, the main thing you need to know is that it increases cellular turnover and can help manage skin concerns such as ageing, pigment and texture; and there is a lot of evidence behind it. Hence why I love it so much. However, it is also not for everyone. 

You see, while I love vitamin A as a clinician, it’s not an ingredient that plays friendly with every skin. So if you are sensitive, eczema prone, irritated or inflamed, your skin’s tolerance is important to consider. (Hence, why a simple moisturiser for the body, for these skins will be enough.) But, if you have normal/combination skin. Or perhaps you’re starting to notice fine lines,texture, dullness or pigmentation concerns; it is an ingredient worth considering. (Also, if you’re pregnant, skip the retinoids and have a chat with your doctor about the best alternatives.) 

You see, the thing about skin on the body is that it can generally tolerate a little more than the skin on the face. However, if you are already tolerating vitamin A on your face that doesn’t mean that it will automatically = tolerance everywhere else. So a patch test may not go astray. I advise introducing it slowly, every 2-3 days, just to ensure that it’s not causing any irritation. Then obviously you can increase slightly, while never forgetting about sun protection!

What if you’re already using an exfoliating body wash or glycolic lotion? Please remember to check your formulas before adding vitamin A into your body routine, as doubling up on actives can leave skin irritated. I’d also be mindful of freshly shaved skin, and don’t forget to check with your clinician about when to pause and restart it around waxing or laser appointments.

So now you’ve tried it? What’s next? Well, changes in the appearance of uneven tone, texture and fine lines can take a while to consider, so give results time and focus on consistency. How quickly you notice a difference will depend on your skin, your concerns and how often you can comfortably use it. If pigmentation is a concern I would also be mindful that you may likely need clinical treatments such as lasers for best results!

So essentially the moral of today is if uneven tone and texture are on your radar, Alpha-H Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment is a vitamin A product available on Adore Beauty that might be worth adding to your routine. I love it because not only does it combine retinol with glycolic and lactic acids but it is a very lightweight lotion that sinks in quickly and helps smoothen and brighten the skin. And because there’s already exfoliation built into the formula, you don’t need to add a scrub or another acid treatment on top.  

Editor's Pick: Beaute Pacifique Enriched Moisturizing Body Lotion All Skin Types 200ml - Beauté Pacifique Enriched Moisturizing Body Lotion is formulated to provide optimal moisture for all skin types, including dry, sunburned or irritated skin. Enriched with vitamins A, C and E and naturally occurring squalane, this lightweight yet powerful lotion penetrates deeply to soften, smooth and strengthen the skin. Ideal for daily use or after exfoliation, it leaves the body feeling supple, comforted and visibly healthier.