The active ingredient in our Vital A Elixir is Retinal (retinaldehyde) - a retinoic acid precursor, which is formed as an intermediate metabolite in the transformation of retinol to retinoic acid in human keratinocytes. In the skin, retinal is metabolised to retinoic acid as well as to retinol and retinyl esters (which generally get depleted during photoaging), which is why it is incredibly effective in the treatment of signs of ageing and skin disorders. Moreover, metabolism of retinal to retinoic acid occurs only by keratinocytes at a pertinent stage of differentiation, leading to a more controlled delivery of retinoic acid and weaker retinoid associated adverse effects as compared to tretinoin and other synthetic retinoids.

Our Vital A serum features a botanically sourced retinal, designed with careful consideration for safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Our formulation aims to be gentle and non-irritating and is crafted to be UV-compatible. Unlike some other forms of Vitamin A that may pose challenges for sensitive skin during pregnancy or breastfeeding, our Vital A Serum is developed with your safety in mind.

Retinal assists in the production of collagen (reducing the appearance of wrinkles & fine lines), enhancing cell turnover, and evening skin tone.

Yes - Vital A may be used in conjunction with our Vital B or Vital C Elixirs, and our Age Defiance Night Serum.

Whilst some other forms of Vitamin A may cause skin irritation, the botanically sourced retinal in our Vital A serum does not and is safe to use whilst pregnant or breastfeeding; it does not cause skin sensitivities when exposed to UV.
As with introducing any new skincare product, we always recommend doing a patch test first. If your skin does not react, you can incorporate the Vital A into your routine. How often you use it varies based on how your skin responds to it, and it's advised to incorporate slowly, starting at once every few days.
If irritation occurs at any point, discontinue use immediately.

Our Vital A Elixir is formulated with RETINATUREL, a natural retinal derived from the halophilic microorganism Halobacterium salinarum found in pink salt lakes. Unlike traditional synthetic retinal, RETINATUREL is 100% botanical and produced through a biofermentation process. This natural retinal is the direct precursor of retinoic acid and has been shown to provide anti-photoaging benefits with significantly fewer side effects compared to other retinoids.

The retinal used in our Vital A Elixir is a much less potent form of Vitamin A and at low concentrations. According to medical research, over-the-counter skincare products containing less potent forms of Vitamin A, including Retinaldehyde, pose very little risk when used during pregnancy, as they are poorly absorbed through the skin. The use of retinoids during pregnancy have been primarily based on the ingestion of high doses of certain forms of Vitamin A, such as oral isotretinoin.

For your peace of mind, we always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before introducing any new skincare products during pregnancy so that they can assess based on your specific circumstances.

You can also refer to this resource for further information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK582989/