Vitamin A – often labeled “the golden standard in skincare” – is essential in a daily skincare routine if you ask us. A Vitamin A derivative is a type of retinoid and one of the most researched skincare ingredients worldwide. Retinoids are the umbrella name for all Vitamin A derivates, like the unique Vitamin A complexes Retinol 8 and Verso´s own patented molecule NEAR 1. Since the beginning of Verso in 2013, we have preached the importance of using products with this key ingredient, given the many rewards that come with using it. 

Anyone seeking a skincare routine delivering visible results on the skin should be looking into using Vitamin A. In this journal, we’ll take a closer look at how to harness the benefits and maintain the skin-loving effects of this magical ingredient. 

VITAMIN A - A FUNCTIONAL INGREDIENT

Functional ingredients, like Vitamin A, can, in the long-term, help strengthen the skin's natural protection against the visible effects of environmental stressors and create or maintain the appearance of a radiant, glowing complexion. When using well-formulated and result-driven products, it is beneficial to keep the skin protected to preserve the effects and a healthy-looking complexion. 

Many functional ingredients, such as Vitamin A, can be used during the day if paired with an SPF product to protect the skin. The latter is an important step regardless of the season. Not protecting the skin when we work with efficient skincare can also affect the results achieved. 

When adding Vitamin A to your skincare routine, it can be very beneficial to get help choosing a suitable product for your unique skin. Another thing that underlies a result is which other products you have used and will use together with your Vitamin A product. So, keep reading this journal; we will give you the information you need to get the best out of this skin-enhancing star.

VISIBLE RESULTS OF VITAMIN A

At Verso, we recommend that everyone should use a Vitamin A-based skin care product in their daily skincare routine. This is to help maintain the appearance of a revived, fresh complexion and ensure that the results are confirmed by science. One thing that can be challenging is finding a Vitamin A product that suits your skin, and that won’t cause side effects that can be challenging for a period of time. Luckily, this beneficial ingredient is available in many different derivates and concentrations, so almost everyone should be able to find a suitable skincare product with Vitamin A.

Basically, Vitamin A applied to the skin will help boost the skin's natural defenses against the visible effects of environmental stressors. What makes Vitamin A unique is its ability to communicate with your skin. Think of it as your gym instructor who conditions tired skin and helps it get into great shape, providing amazing cosmetic effects to the skin. 

Applying a Vitamin A product topically may include the following benefits:

• Visibly rejuvenating to strengthen, visibly firm, and enhance the skin’s natural glow. 
• Brightening for a radiant, glowing complexion that promotes an even skin tone. 
• Visibly soothing to lessen the appearance of temporary redness and leave the skin soft and smooth. 
• Protecting from visible effects of outdoor elements to help maintain beautiful skin with its antioxidant properties. 
• Clarifying and balancing to promote the appearance of a fresh and radiant complexion. Vitamin A can keep pores unclogged from oils and old skin cells. This function counteracts impurities and can help the skin to stay healthy-looking.

MAINTAINING THE EFFECTS - 3 IMPORTANT STEPS

Keep in mind that the skin’s condition changes over time, and you may need to adjust your routine according to the desired result, time of year, or when you feel that the skin has a different requirement. Make sure to check with your skin therapist or dermatologist if needed.

You should avoid mixing too many different functional products at once. Instead, focus on products that provide hydration, antioxidants, and sun protection along with your Vitamin A product. These steps are imperative to include in all skincare routines. When your skin is protected from the visible effects of environmental stressors and has a balanced moisture level, you can extend your routine to enhance the visible results. You may add more functional and highly concentrated ingredients like Vitamin A.

These three steps are essential to consider in your daily skincare routine:

1. Use Sun Protection 

Many functional ingredients can be used during the day. Still, it is recommended that they are aided by an SPF product to protect the skin, especially if you are looking to harness the effects of your Vitamin A-based skincare routine. Remember that the sun significantly contributes to skin damage, however essential and enjoyable it may be. 

Even if our Vitamin A complexes, Retinol 8 and NEAR 1, can be used during the daytime, protecting your skin from sun exposure is crucial - with or without using a retinol product. We recommend ending your daytime routine with high sun protection, preferably SPF 30 or 50. This is to maintain the results of your skincare products and the look of healthy skin.

2.  Use Products Rich In Antioxidants

Vitamin A has powerful antioxidant properties that can strengthen your skin´s natural defenses and inspire the appearance of rejuvenated skin. It protects the skin from the visible effects of outdoor elements. 

Here follows other core ingredients that contain a rich amount of antioxidants that help maintain the outstanding results of Vitamin A and the look of beautiful skin:

• Vitamin B3, Niacinamide, helps to promote the retention of moisture to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. It has strengthening properties and is used in cosmetics to promote the appearance of even skin tone and balance the skin. 
• Vitamin C enhances the skin’s natural protection and helps to improve the appearance of dull skin.
• Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant that visibly calms and evens the skin tone while improving the skin's natural resistance to environmental stressors.
• Vitamin E helps support other functional ingredients, especially other antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
• Phloretin is a plant-based ingredient with tangible antioxidant properties minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while visibly calming the skin.

Verso products filled with skin-enhancing antioxidants:

• Verso Day Cream  – A moisturizing and visibly rejuvenating facial cream for radiant, healthy-looking skin. It is formulated with Retinol 8, Niacinamide, and Turmeric to protect the skin from the visible effects of environmental stressors and reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone. 

• Super C Serum  – A daily serum essential to maintain healthy-looking skin. Verso Super C Serum may enhance the visible results of Vitamin A when paired together since Vitamin C creates a better environment for Vitamin A to improve the skin´s appearance and extend its effectiveness. If you use a product with Vitamin A in your daily routine, we suggest applying the Super C Serum during the day and your Vitamin A product at night. 

3. Use Ingredients & Products Providing Moisture & Hydration 

Hydrating, soothing and moisturizing products help to strengthen your skin and are beneficial to use in combination with Vitamin A. 

If you are a new user of Vitamin A, it can initially lead to visible dryness, flaking, and redness. But if you choose the right product to start with, go slow, and gradually build up the use in combination with products that provide moisture and hydration, you will minimize the risk of the eventual side effects. 

Hydrated and moisturized skin is vital and included in the basics of a healthy-looking and resilient complexion. Look out for ingredients like the following to ensure the skin is prepped to handle Vitamin A:

• Hydrolyzed Yeast Extract optimizes the level of hyaluronic acid in the skin, strengthening it to increase its resistance against environmental stressors. The overall result is smooth and supple skin.
• Squalane is a plant-derived ingredient sourced from olive oil. Promotes moisturized and healthy-looking skin.
• Sunflower oil strengthens the skin by ensuring highly effective moisturization. The specific sunflower oil used in Verso’s products has excellent calming properties.
• Ceramides promote natural skin protection and long-term moisturization, helping the skin to stay hydrated and smooth.
• Oats help to nourish and replenish the skin’s appearance. It reduces the risk of developing the appearance of skin irritation caused by lack of moisture. The Oats have a high concentration of antioxidants to help maintain healthy-looking skin.

The following Verso products are excellent providers of moisture and hydration:

• Verso Hydration Serum provides immediate hydration, long-term moisturization and helps improve the appearance of dull skin with a calming sensation. 
• Verso Nourishing Cream is a moisturizing cream to nourish and replenish your skin. It maximizes the skin´s moisture level and makes it look soft, radiant, and smooth. 
• Verso Nourishing Mask nourishes and replenishes the appearance of your skin overnight. Promotes natural skin protection, resulting in healthy-looking skin with an increased glow. 

EXFOLIATE TO AMP IT UP

If you are an experienced user of Vitamin A, you can further boost its efficacy by exfoliating your skin. Exfoliating products featuring alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), such as glycolic acid and lactic acid, can effectively slough off old skin cells from the outer layer of the skin, helping to give your skin a fresh and revived look.

Verso Peel Mask with Alpha and Poly Hydroxy Acids is an exfoliating gel that leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth with an instant glow. While enhancing the effect of your daily skincare routine, regular use may help to unblock pores keeping the skin clarified and fresh.

Verso Peel Mask effectively enhances the results of the following products in your skincare routine. For resilient skin accustomed to using functional ingredients, we recommend combining Peel Mask with other Verso products containing Retinol 8 or NEAR 1. We dare promise you will be pleased with the visible results.