Retinyl Palmitate

Retinyl Palmitate at a Glance

• Combination of retinol and fatty acid palmitic acid
• Found naturally in skin and is the most abundant form of vitamin A storage in animals
• Works as an antioxidant, preventing visible signs of aging

Retinyl Palmitate Description

Retinyl palmitate is a combination of retinol (pure vitamin A) and the fatty acid palmitic acid. Research has shown it to be an effective antioxidant when applied to skin. You may be surprised to learn that retinyl palmitate is found naturally in our skin (it is the most abundant form of vitamin A storage in animals), where it works as an antioxidant, particularly for helping to protect skin from UV light exposure—though it does not replace the need for sunscreen, and is it not approved by the U.S. FDA as a sunscreen active ingredient.

Reports that retinyl palmitate is not a safe ingredient are false. They’re based on a study from nearly 20 years ago that has never been reproduced or tested under real-life conditions such as how people use sunscreens that contain this ingredient. In addition, to date, there is no scientific evidence that retinyl palmitate is a carcinogen in humans. The safety of retinyl palmitate is supported by several accredited organizations, including the independent Cosmetic Ingredient Review panel, which has ruled several times that retinyl palmitate is safe as currently used in cosmetics.

Usage levels of retinyl palmitate typically run from 0.1–0.5%, where it’s often combined with other antioxidant vitamins such as various forms of vitamins C and E.

Retinyl Palmitate References