Active ingredient
Retinyl Propionate
An ester of retinol (vitamin A) and propionic acid — a retinoid ester that converts to retinol and ultimately retinoic acid in the skin, delivering anti-aging activity with a gentler tolerability profile than retinol.
Also known as: vitamin a propionate
retinoidanti-aging
Benefits
- ✓Supports cell turnover and skin renewal as a vitamin A ester
- ✓Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- ✓Gentler than retinol due to slower conversion to retinoic acid
Watch for
- ⚠Increases photosensitivity — use SPF during the day
- ⚠Avoid during pregnancy (all retinoids carry teratogenicity concern at high systemic doses)
- ⚠SCCS considers safe up to 0.3% in face creams; weaker potency than retinol due to additional enzymatic conversion step
