If you've spent any time comparing vitamin A skincare, you've probably run into two names that sound similar but aren't the same thing: retinyl palmitate (the active in A313) and retinaldehyde, often shortened to "retinal." Both are forms of vitamin A, both are used to support smoother, more even-looking skin, but they sit at different points on what's sometimes called the "retinization pathway" — and that difference matters when you're choosing what to put on your face.
What Is Retinaldehyde?
Retinaldehyde is the direct precursor to retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A that prescription retinoids like tretinoin deliver straight to the skin. When you apply retinaldehyde, your skin only needs to complete one enzymatic conversion step to reach retinoic acid. That's fewer steps than retinol needs, and far fewer than retinyl esters like retinyl palmitate. In practice, this generally means retinaldehyde products are formulated to act somewhat faster and, for some people, feel a little stronger than gentler vitamin A forms — though how any individual's skin responds still varies.
How A313 (Retinyl Palmitate) Differs
A313 Cream with Retinol & Vitamin A is formulated with retinyl palmitate, an ester of vitamin A. Retinyl palmitate needs to be converted by the skin through several additional steps before it reaches retinoic acid — ester to retinol, retinol to retinaldehyde, and only then to retinoic acid. That longer conversion path is generally why retinyl palmitate is considered one of the gentler, more gradual vitamin A forms available without a prescription, and why it's often the starting point people reach for when introducing vitamin A into a routine for the first time.
Strength and Skin Tolerance, Side by Side
Neither form is simply "better" — they suit different situations:
- Onset: Retinaldehyde products are generally formulated to show visible texture changes sooner; A313's retinyl palmitate tends to work more gradually.
- Tolerance: Because of its longer conversion path, retinyl palmitate is often the more comfortable starting point for first-time users or those with reactive skin.
- Availability: Both are available over the counter across Europe, unlike prescription-only retinoids such as tretinoin.
- Routine fit: Retinaldehyde formulas can sometimes require a longer adjustment period; A313 is often introduced two to three evenings a week before building up.
How to Use A313 Cream with Retinol & Vitamin A
Cleanse and dry your skin fully before applying — vitamin A products are typically best used on dry skin to reduce irritation. Take a pea-sized amount of A313 and apply it in the evening, avoiding the eye area and any broken skin. If you're new to vitamin A skincare, start with two or three evenings a week and build up gradually as your skin adjusts. Follow with a moisturizer if your skin feels tight, and always use a broad-spectrum SPF the next morning, since vitamin A can increase sun sensitivity.
When to Ask for Advice
Vitamin A skincare isn't right for every situation. If you have particularly sensitive or reactive skin, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are already using a prescribed dermatological treatment, it's worth speaking with a pharmacist or skincare professional before adding A313 or any retinaldehyde product to your routine. They can help you weigh which vitamin A form, if any, fits your skin and circumstances.
The Takeaway
Retinaldehyde and A313's retinyl palmitate are both legitimate, over-the-counter ways to bring vitamin A into your routine — the real difference is how many steps your skin needs to take to put them to work, and how that translates into pace and comfort. For many people starting out, A313's gentler, more gradual approach is the more forgiving place to begin.
