You won't turn pink I promise, but you will be radiant. How your skin converts beta-carotene (β-carotene) to essential Vitamin A (retinol) and this super powerful antioxidant's role in skin function.
There are two sources of Vitamin A, preformed Vitamin A known as retinoids which come from animal and synthetic sources. These include retinol, retinal/retinaldehyde and retinoic acid. The second source of Vitamin A is pro vitamin A, carotenoids specifically Beta-carotene (β-carotene).
Beta-carotene (β-carotene) is part of the 750+ carotenoid family it is the most common pro Vitamin A found in plants and is converted to essential Vitamin A (retinol) in our bodies and our skin. Not all carotenoids are pro vitamin A. Carotenoids are responsible for the yellow, orange and red colour of fruits, leaves and flowers and can also be found in green vegetables, fungi, bacteria, algae, fish and shrimp. Flamingos are pink because of the carotenoid pigments found in the algae and shrimp that they eat.
There are 3 active forms of fat-soluble Vitamin A, retinol, retinal/retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid in the skin all known as retinoids or preformed Vitamin A. β-carotene is converted to retinal in the skin and this is then converted to either retinol or retinoic acid. Retinoids are defined as molecules that bind to and activate retinoic acid receptors to influence the proliferation and differentiation of cells. A Clinician’s Guide to Topical Retinoids
Human skin contains the enzymes involved in retinoid metabolism converting β-carotene into retinal/retinaldehyde then to Vitamin A (retinol) or to retinoic acid. Our epidermis contains retinoids (retinol and retinyl esters) and carotenoids (mostly beta-carotene). Keratinocytes and melanocytes can convert β-carotene into retinol (vitamin A) and can function as a local supply of vitamin A in the skin.
Because Vitamin A is fat soluble it can be stored within the body. The storage form of retinol is the retinyl ester.
Here is the biochemistry pathway of β-carotene.
Retinol and retinyl esters: biochemistry and physiology
The pathway for β-carotene and retinoic acid is one way. Once β-carotene is converted to retinal/retinaldehyde there is no reversal, same for when retinal is oxidised to retinoic acid. Retinoic acid and retinal are the main active metabolites of vitamin A.
I would rather apply β-carotene topically and allow my skin to determine the percentage conversion to active Vitamin A than apply preformed Vitamin A retinoids, retinol and derivatives and risk the inflammation response causing oxidative stress and damaging my skin barrier and skin function and the possibility of Vitamin A toxicity. Too little and too much retinol is harmful to skin cells and your overall health. Overconsumption of preformed vitamin A can be highly toxic and is especially dangerous prior to and during pregnancy as it can result in severe birth defects. This is the reason that, the EU Commission published an amendment to the EU Cosmetics Regulation on the 4th April 2024 to address the use of retinoids, specifically: retinol, retinyl acetate and retinyl palmitate, in skin care products. The EU is limiting the maximum concentration of retinol and derivatives used in facial skin care to 0.3% retinol equivalent (RE) and 0.05% RE in body lotions to address consumer's potential overexposure to Vitamin A.
Skin care products containing
Retinol,
Retinyl Acetate,
Retinyl Palmitate
Will require mandatory labelling: “Contains Vitamin A. Consider your daily intake before use.” in the EU
I believe that skincare that is not recommended for you during pregnancy is not good for you at any time, there should be no distinction. Retinol can exhibit pro-oxidant properties as it is easily oxidized and can form toxic products. Vitamin E prevents the oxidation of retinol and affects the skin in a dose dependent manner where too much or too little is damaging to skin function.
Topical β-carotene is not only a precursor for retinol within our skin and functions as a local supply of Vitamin A but because of its special qualities in molecular structure and properties it is a powerful antioxidant in its own right at neutralising ROS (reactive oxygen species) and provides photo-protection, preventing and treating photoaging. Increased concentrations of carotenoids in the stratum corneum leads to slower degradation of collagen Type I. High skin carotenoid concentrations have been linked to more youthful appearance and is a measure of the antioxidant capacity of skin.
Carotenoids are fat soluble (it's why you should always put butter on your steamed green beans, you improve the solubility of the carotenoids and it's even more delicious) and a high concentration of carotenoids are found in the physical skin barrier the stratum corneum. Two molecules of vitamin A are formed from one molecule of beta-carotene.
Carotenoids and specifically β-carotene is found in cold press grape seed oil not only is it present but it is also present with significant amounts for Vitamin E which stops the oxidation of retinol. Australian unfermented cold pressed grapeseed oil is a foundational ingredient in Vitis V Face TonIQ made by us without heat or solvents. Bioactive compounds including carotenoids, β-carotene and Vitamin E are removed during commercial solvent extraction of grapeseed oil which involves degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorisation processes
Vitis V Face TonIQ is naturally occurring containing the entire entourage of phytonutrients including carotenoids and beta-carotene and is completely safe including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. With Vitis V Face TonIQ you are topically boosting your supply of carotenoids and β-carotene to your skin barrier which becomes a localised source of retinol if and when your skin function requires additional supply in the presence of Vitamin E protecting the retinol molecules from oxidation and becoming a pro-oxidant irritant to your skin. With Vitis V Face TonIQ you won't turn pink but you will be supplying essential phytonutrients to your skin to support and boost your skins own regenerative functions so that you can achieve your most nourished and radiant skin.
Your skin is a nature designed system it needs nature designed skincare. Vitis V Face TonIQ naturally occurring, safe ALWAYS.
Image credit - Edrick Krozendijk on Unsplash
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids
https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-A
Topical beta-carotene is converted to retinyl esters in human skin ex vivo and mouse skin in vivo
Beta-carotene uptake and bioconversion to retinol differ between human melanocytes and keratinocytes