One of the biggest misconceptions about Vitamin A is that you should refrain from using it during the summer. This is most likely because of its reputation for being harsh on the skin – especially during the months when many of us spend more time in the sun. Today the cosmetic market offers various selections of Vitamin A, and with stable formulas like Verso´s Retinol 8 and NEAR 1, you can enjoy all the benefits night and day – all year around. 

With this journal, we want to avoid any misunderstandings and advise you on using this magical ingredient during the sunnier season.

WHAT IS VITAMIN A?

Vitamin A is one of the most researched and proven ingredients in skincare. Retinol is perhaps the most well-known form of Vitamin A, also known as Retinoid.

Some of the most common retinoids are retinol esters or derivatives (Retinyl Palmitate, Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Propionate), Retinol, Retinaldehyde, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, and Retinyl Retinoate - Retinol 8. NEAR 1 is a novel form of Vitamin A; a molecule patented by Verso. It is a versatile skincare technology combining two hero ingredients: Vitamin A and Niacinamide. 

In short, Vitamin A is an oil-soluble vitamin with small molecules that have the possibility to make a visible difference on your skin. It is considered “the golden standard” and “the star ingredient of skincare.” Retinol is remarkable for its ability to help the skin look revitalized, renewed, and fresh. 

MULTIPLE RESULTS FROM ONE INGREDIENT

Vitamin A helps to slough off old skin cells faster from the upper layer of the skin, the epidermis. This will improve the look of younger, more plumped skin while reducing the appearance of dryness and fine lines. It is also a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from visible effects of environmental stressors.

Another benefit of using Vitamin A is that it can help keep pores unclogged from oils and old skin cells. It may improve the appearance of oily and blemish-prone skin and leave the skin fresh and healthy-looking.

Vitamin A is a multifunctional ingredient that fits most skin care routines. Due to the many different forms of Vitamin A, almost everyone can find a suitable product and experience the skin-enhancing benefits.

A selection of advantages of using Vitamin A:

• Visibly rejuvenating to strengthen, visibly firm, and enhance the skin’s natural glow. 
• Clarifying unbalanced skin to promote a fresh and healthy-looking appearance. 
• Brightening for a radiant, glowing complexion that promotes an even skin tone. 
• 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. 

All this considered, it is clear that Vitamin A is of great value for many of us regarding common skincare concerns and providing healthy-looking skin.

IF YOU ARE A NEW USER OF VITAMIN A

When introducing Vitamin A into your skincare routine, it is advisable to build up the use. Start by applying your Vitamin A product a few times a week in the evening. Initially, the skin may become visibly drier and/or sensitized. This is normal and part of the process in the skin, but you should not experience any persistent discomfort.

When starting with Vitamin A, you may experience increased sun sensitivity, but this doesn't necessarily apply to everyone. Everyone's individual skin and reactions to ingredients are different. Some may experience irritation, while others don't. It's all about paying attention to your skin and its needs. If you experience discomfort, use your Vitamin A less frequently and add other visibly calming and hydrating products to help soothe your skin. 

Another thing to consider is choosing a Vitamin A product suitable for your skin and its needs. We recommend using a stable form of Vitamin A, like Retinol 8 or NEAR 1. This is to avoid any unnecessary sensitivity or discomfort. 

If you are new to Vitamin A, avoid mixing it with other functional ingredients to ensure your skin tolerates it. Instead, focus on products with ingredients that provide hydration, antioxidants, and (always!) sun protection along with your Vitamin A product. 

VITAMIN A DURING THE SUMMER

Vitamin A can be used daily during the summertime. Just use it with care - as with any other functional ingredient. Since Vitamin A can provide so many benefits for the skin, it would be a shame not to harness them all year around, including this time of year. 

Vitamin A users may find it easier to use the ingredient in the summer. This is because our skin can be more tolerant during the warmer months due to the increased humidity. During the winter, the air tends to be drier, making it unbalanced and prone to sensitivity. 

If you are new to Vitamin A and want to start using it for the first time during the summer, we recommend listening to your skin and observing how it responds to the new ingredient. You may initially experience dryness, increased sensitivity, or flaking. If any of this occurs, it is often because the usage needs to be built up gradually. We suggest you take a break from the product and wait until your skin is calm and balanced again. After that, you can resume by applying every third evening and see how your skin responds.

It is important to consider any skin concerns (like melasma) and the other ingredients used with Vitamin A during the summer. For those with melasma and those using ingredients that exfoliate the skin, such as AHAs, it is essential to be careful. Existing melasma may worsen if the skin is not adequately protected with SPF and when staying directly in intense sun.

Melanin-rich skin may be more prone to hyperpigmentation. The more melanin your skin produces, the darker your skin. Therefore, it is vital to use products containing functional ingredients cautiously.

If you are planning to spend time on the beach, directly in the sun, or sunbathing, we suggest that you put your Vitamin A aside during this period since the efficacy of Vitamin A might be affected. In this case, it is better to let your Vitamin A product rest until it can perform at its best! This applies to everyone, regardless of fair or melanin-rich skin.

DOES VITAMIN A CAUSE SUN SENSITIVITY?

This is a common misconception; many believe this myth to be true because Vitamin A is often advised to apply only at night. When a Vitamin A product is used right before sun exposure, it may lose efficiency as the ingredient breaks down in sunlight - not because it causes skin sensitivity. 

To prevent the risk of products containing Vitamin A decreasing in efficacy, Verso has additional requirements for packaging concerning products with Retinol 8 and NEAR 1. This adds to preserving the stable formulation’s ability to stay effective. 

DOES VITAMIN A EXFOLIATE THE SKIN?

Vitamin A does not exfoliate the skin but can help slough off old skin cells faster from your epidermis. This helps prevent a buildup of old skin cells, revitalizing the skin. Thus, it does not exfoliate in a way where it breaks the bonds holding the skin cells together.

HOW TO PREVENT ANY SIDE EFFECTS

The single most important thing to consider is sunscreen. While it's crucial to apply SPF every day, all year round, it's even more essential during the summertime when you're typically spending more time outdoors.

When you spend time in the sun…

• We always recommend using a sun protectant with at least SPF 30. Even if Vitamin A can be used during the daytime, it is essential to protect your skin when exposed to the sun (with or without using a Vitamin A product). This is to maintain the results of your skincare products and the look of healthy skin.
• If you spend time directly in the strong sun, you should reapply at least every other hour. 
• When sunbathing or doing outdoor activities, choose a water-resistant sunscreen and reapply directly after time in the water. 
• Try to avoid staying directly in the sun when it is strongest. 
• We recommend wearing a hat and sunglasses for additional protection.
• If you experience irritation like redness or flaking, take a break from using your Vitamin A product.
• If you are using a retinoid that needs a prescription, you must follow your doctor´s advice on how to use it.

AFTER SUN SAVIOR

If you have spent too much time in the sun, your skin needs nourishment and extra care. We recommend trying Verso Nourishing Mask. It provides excellent hydration and has soothing properties. Nourishing Mask is developed for visibly dehydrated skin, supporting the skin’s natural protection against the visible effects of environmental stressors and increasing the appearance of calm skin. 

VITAMIN A AND SUPPORTING INGREDIENTS

Well-formulated products containing Vitamin A often include other skin-caring ingredients enhancing the effect. With Verso´s skin philosophy, “skincare backed by science,” we ensure all our Vitamin A products contain ingredients that provide the best possible formulations, efficacy, and results. 

A selection of antioxidants supporting Vitamin A and healthy-looking skin:

• Vitamin B3, Niacinamide, has been shown to have strengthening properties improving the skin´s natural skin protection.
• Vitamin C enhances the skin’s natural protection and helps to improve the appearance of dull skin.
• Vitamin E helps support other functional ingredients, especially other antioxidants like Vitamin A and Vitamin C.
• Turmeric is a widely studied botanical from Southeast Asia. The antioxidant benefits can visibly brighten the skin resulting in a radiant complexion. It provides a calming sensation and improves the appearance of unbalanced skin.

DAYTIME PROTECTOR

Verso Daily SPF 50 is designed to ensure high protection against UVA/UVB. Broad-spectrum SPF is essential for preventing sun damage such as hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and premature signs of aging. To encourage daily sunscreen usage, we have developed a formulation that is easy to apply and glides effortlessly onto the skin. The lightweight texture is non-greasy, leaving the skin with a fresh and smooth finish.

WHEN YOU USE VITAMIN A, KEEP IN MIND...

• Always finish your daily skincare routine with sun protection. This is an important step to maintain the results and healthy-looking skin.
• Build up the use so you avoid getting any side effects. It is better to slowly increase the usage than to apply your Vitamin A product daily from the get-go. Every other or every third night can be a good start. Only increase the use if you think that your skin can tolerate it.
• With continued use, most people usually experience a result after 2-3 months.
• Using a Vitamin A product continuously can strengthen the skin's natural protection against the visible effects of environmental stressors in the long term. 

ENJOY YOUR VITAMIN A

With this journal, we hope to have conveyed that it is possible to use the star ingredient Vitamin A all year round – including the summer. Just make sure to use it carefully and never skip the most crucial step - sun protection. Enjoy the benefits and visible results!

Read more about Verso´s Vitamin A heroes; Retinol 8 and NEAR 1.