Cited skincare — every flag names its source, no upsell.What it does
It’s mild because skin must convert it twice before it works, first to retinol and then to the active form. That’s also why it turns up in many moisturizers and sunscreens. Evidence that it visibly helps is thinner than for retinol or tretinoin.
The EU’s ingredient database lists it as a skin conditioner, its general term for an ingredient that keeps skin in good condition.European Commission, CosIng (© European Union, CC BY 4.0) · uses put in plain words by Drop ↗
The evidence, graded
strongNo topical retinoid is recommended in pregnancy. The class covers tretinoin, adapalene, tazarotene, trifarotene, retinol, retinaldehyde, retinyl palmitate and hydroxypinacolone retinoate. Studies of accidental exposure, mostly to tretinoin and adapalene early in pregnancy, are reassuring. They are not strong enough to recommend any retinoid in pregnancy. The caution extends to the other retinoids as a class-effect. Oral isotretinoin is a separate case, with an absolute contraindication.ACOG 2022 · ACOG patient FAQ ↗ expert consensusUnder 18, Drop does not suggest a retinoid to prevent aging. No source Drop has read tested one for that in anyone under 18, and the only under-18 data in the retinoid review it cites comes from people with acne. Acne is different: the American Academy of Dermatology's acne guideline covers patients from age 9 and strongly recommends topical retinoids for acne. That is a conversation with a doctor.Motamedi 2022 · Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery ↗ Graded per the methodology: strong · moderate · emerging · expert consensus. A weak source on a strong claim gets the weaker label.
Also known as
vitamin A palmitate
Browse all 1238 ingredients — grouped by what they do, each with whatever evidence we can cite.
This page is public so a shared ingredient card always has its sources behind it — and so you can check them without an account.
Want more like this?
Every evidence-based flag cites its source, Drop tells you when your routine is complete, and it helps you simplify — instead of selling you more. The app launches on iOS and Android in October 2026. Rate my routine works today at /rate — no sign-in.