Skin Care With Vitamin A & Collagen

With the number of skin-care products on the market, it can be difficult to determine what you need and why you need it. Two examples of skin-care ingredients are collagen and vitamin A. While each can improve your skin's appearance, they work in very different ways to achieve smoother skin and a more even skin tone.

Significance

Retinoid, a vitamin A derivative, is a topical formula that can be applied to the skin. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved these retinoids for the treatment of acne. Retinoids have been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and skin discolorations.

Collagen creams may be beneficial only for moisturizing purposes, not anti-aging, according to SmartSkinCare.com. This is because collagen is naturally a large molecule that has a difficult time penetrating the skin.

Benefits

When applied to the skin, vitamin A creams penetrate the pores and stimulate the production of collagen, according to Science Daily. Vitamin A creams also have exfoliating properties that help to remove dead skin cells that can clog the pores.

Collagen is a natural moisturizer that can hold moisture on the skin. Collagen also can be used as an injectable treatment to inflate the skin and give it added volume and texture.

Skin Conditions Treated

Vitamin A creams can be beneficial to those with acne, fine wrinkles or mild skin discolorations. Collagen injections can treat lines, such as crow's feet and/or smile lines or very dry skin.

Types

Vitamin A creams are sold under a number of brands and formulations. Most creams are available only by prescription. The three main forms of vitamin A include tretinoin, tazarotene and adapalene. Adapalene is considered the least irritating, while tazarotene may be the strongest and therefore most irritating.

Collagen can be used as an injectable filler or ingredient in moisturizing creams. However, a new formulation, known as hydrolyzed collagen, is showing promise in serving as a smaller molecule that's better able to treat the skin, according to Smart Skincare. When applied to the skin, hydrolyzed collagen can help to reduce skin flaking and make the skin appear smoother.

Warning

While vitamin A treatment creams can help a number of people with skin concerns, the creams may not always be suitable for use. For example, pregnant or breastfeeding women should not use vitamin A creams. Those with very sensitive skin also may not be able to use retinoids successfully.

While the risks of collagen injections for the skin are minimal, it's important to discuss potential side effects, such as an allergic reaction, infection or scarring, with your physician.