Retinyl palmitate is a form of Vitamin A, a fat-soluble vitamin derived from retinoids and carotenoids. Also known as palmitate or retinol palmitate, it combines the alcohol of vitamin A, called retinol, and palmitic acid.
Retinyl Palmitate
In animal by-products, the major form of vitamin A is an ester called retinyl palmitate, which is converted to an alcohol in the small intestine, according to The New World Encyclopedia.
Types
Retinyl palmitate is a synthetic supplement available in dry or oily form. It can be taken orally or by injection to treat Vitamin A deficiency. Trade names include Aquasol A and Palmitate A, according to Absolute Astronomy.
Dietary Function
Palmitate is an antioxidant. It replaces the vitamin content of low-fat milk, according to Absolute Astronomy, in order to stabilize the Vitamin A in the milk.
Skincare Function
Retinyl palmitate is used in topical skin care products. Skin absorbs palmitate and converts it into retinol and retinoic acid, such as with Retin-A.
Warning
It is a preformed version of vitamin A and can thus be realistically overdosed, unlike beta carotene, according to Absolute Astronomy. Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the industrialized world. Excess dosing may lead to acute or chronic toxicity, says Mayo Clinic.
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