By penetrating deep beneath your epidermis (the outer layer of your skin) and neutralising free radicals, this potent little ingredient boosts your skin's production of elastin, collagen, and comedolytic agents. These natural chemicals work simultaneously with retinol's auxiliary exfoliating effect to uncover fresh layers of youthful-looking skin, essentially speeding up the skin's natural regeneration process and consequently thwarting any and every skin issue that springs to mind. The A313 is a Cult French Vitamin A product that is shrouded in mystery. It works phenomenally but nobody is actually sure why. I have fallen down a bit of a rabbit hole with this one, and whilst I do not have ALL the answers, I have made some interesting discoveries along the way. Read on for a review of the A313 and a bit of insight as to why it works so well. This minimalist, hypoallergenic, and non-comedogenic formula contains no preservatives, no fragrance, no parabens, no colourants, and no lanolin. Enriched with 0.3% retinol and an added retinol booster complex that improves efficacy even further, it helps to stimulate collagen and elastin to firm, smooth, and resurface the skin. Therefore, the use of this medication should only be considered during pregnancy if necessary, avoiding simultaneously taking another medication containing vitamin A.

I tried it again a few nights later, still unable to believe the A313 with its very limited Vitamin A content could provide such results, and awoke to the same soft and plump skin. I looked so healthy and youthful. When it comes to retinol, slow and steady truly wins the race. Zaborowski recommends starting with a retinol product one to two times per week, then working your way up to three to four times a week, and applying it at night. "When you apply it at night this allows your skin to repair itself overnight and avoids direct sun exposure which can cause increased irritation," she explains. Most importantly, don't skip out on SPF during the day. "Always wear SPF during the day and don't forget to reapply," Zaborowski warns. "Retinol, especially at the beginning, can make your skin more sensitive and likely to burn." Other names for vitamin A : preformed vitamin A, retinol, retinal, retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, retinyl phosphate. The difference between two drugs indicated for the treatment of skin irritations is their dosage. The ointment is by definition a water- in- oil emulsion while the cream is an oil- in- water emulsion.

Advice from your expert pharmacist

However, this plumped appearance is temporary. You would need to use the A313 almost every single day to reap those plumping benefits, which have absolutely nothing to do with the vitamin A content. This oily (pommade means ointment) contains 0.12% of the mildest forms of vitamin A, called retinol esters.

Risk of hypervitaminosis A: Be careful, as there is a risk that vitamin A passes into the blood, this cream should not be applied to a large area of skin, under a closed bandage, on damaged skin, in particular burnt, on a mucous membrane, in premature babies and very young children or during prolonged treatment.The following products are—at the time of the latest update—fully available in the USA but only partially available elsewhere. Where appropriate we have selected and linked to regional alternatives. **As of the current update, we have only been focussing on the USA, France and the UK.