Retinol is a type of vitamin A that has general nutritional benefits and health benefits for the skin and eyes, in particular. While vitamin A supplements or prescription medications made from retinol may be taken for a variety of conditions, acne treatment is one of the most common applications of prescription retinol.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A occurs naturally as retinoids in animals and carotenoids in plants. Retinoids, which are derived from retinol, can be prescribed as acne treatment. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients who have been prescribed retinol as an acne treatment should not take vitamin A supplements, since taking both retinol and vitamin A supplements could cause toxic levels of vitamin A in the body.
Function
Retinol functions as acne treatment by detaching the excess skin cells surrounding the base of hair follicles that form pimples on the skin. Retinol is able to bind with the skin cells because they contain retinoic acid receptors in their outer membranes. Along with decreasing excess cell production, retinol smooths the skin, reduces the appearance of pores and decreases wrinkles in the skin by stimulating collagen production.
Food Sources
Many foods are natural sources of vitamin A. Eggs, dairy products and meats such as chicken, beef and veal contain retinoids, and animal livers and kidneys are especially rich in vitamin A. Carotenoids, another form of vitamin A, are found in yellow, orange and dark green vegetables and fruits, including carrots, cabbage and mangos.
Prescription Medications
Prescription retinol for acne treatment can be topical; in the form of a cream or gel; or oral, taken as a capsule. The type of retinol present in medications like Avita, Renova and Retina-A is known as tretinoin. Accutane, another acne treatment, contains a type of retinol known as isotretinoin, which has been known to cause severe side effects.
Considerations
Retinol acne treatment makes skin more sensitive to sunburn, so patients taking retinol should avoid unprotected exposure to the sun. Isotretinoin may cause severe depression, aggression, suicidality and hallucinations, among other physical side effects such as problems with hearing or vision. The Mayo Clinic cautions against using isotretinoin specifically, except for severe acne treatment, and pregnant or breast-feeding women should not use isotretinoin, as it may cause birth defects. Some people may also have an allergy or sensitivity to vitamin A.
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