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EC / List no.: 201-228-5
CAS no.: 79-81-2
Mol. formula: C36H60O2
Retinyl palmitate, or Vitamin A palmitate, is the ester of retinol (vitamin A) and palmitic acid, with formula C36H60O2.
Vitamin A palmitate is the most abundant form of vitamin A storage in animals.
An alternate spelling, retinol palmitate, which violates the -yl organic chemical naming convention for esters, is also frequently seen.
Biology
Animals use long-chain esters of vitamin A, most abundantly the palmitate form, as a form of vitamin A storage.
The storage reaction is catalyzed by LRAT, and the inverse is catalyzed by REH.
The esters are also intermediates in the visual cycle: RPE65 isomerizes the retinyl part to 11-cis-retinal.
Uses
Vitamin A palmitate is a common vitamin supplement, available in both oral and injectable forms for treatment of vitamin A deficiency, under the brand names Aquasol A, Palmitate A and many others.
Vitamin A palmitate is a constituent of intra ocular treatment for dry eyes at a concentration of 138 μg/g (VitA-Pos) by Ursapharm.
Vitamin A palmitate is a pre-formed version of vitamin A; therefore, the intake should not exceed the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).
Overdosing preformed Vitamin A forms such as retinyl palmitate leads to adverse physiological reactions (hypervitaminosis A).
Retinyl palmitate is used as an antioxidant and a source of vitamin A added to low fat milk and other dairy products to replace the vitamin content lost through the removal of milk fat.
Palmitate is attached to the alcohol form of vitamin A, retinol, in order to make vitamin A stable in milk.
Retinyl palmitate is also a constituent of some topically applied skin care products.
After its absorption into the skin, retinyl palmitate is converted to retinol, and ultimately to retinoic acid (the active form of vitamin A present in Retin-A), though neither its skin absorption nor its conversion is very effective.
Vitamin A palmitate is a form of vitamin A.
It’s found in animal products, such as eggs, chicken, and beef.
It’s also called preformed vitamin A and retinyl palmitate. Vitamin A palmitate is available as a manufactured supplement.
Unlike some forms of vitamin A, Vitamin A palmitate is a retinoid (retinol).
Retinoids are bioavailable substances. This means they are easily absorbed into the body and used efficiently.
Common uses and forms
Vitamin A palmitate can be taken in supplement form to support and maintain optimum eye health, immune system health, and reproductive health.
It’s also available by injection, for those who cannot take it in pill form.
It’s often used as an ingredient in multivitamins, and is available as a sole ingredient in supplement form.
These supplements may be labeled as preformed vitamin A or as retinyl palmitate.
The amount of vitamin A that a product or supplement contains is listed on the label in IUs (international units).
Vitamin A palmitate is found in animal products of all kinds, such as:
liver
egg yolks
fish
milk and milk products
cheese
Potential health benefits
Vitamin A palmitate has been studied for multiple conditions and may have health benefits in several areas, including:
Sun-damaged skin
Retinitis pigmentosa
Acne
There is scientific interestTrusted Source in Vitamin A palmitate’s ability to support wound healing and immune defense, when applied topically.
Vitamin A palmitate is a naturally-occurring phenyl analogue of retinol (vitamin A) with potential antineoplastic and chemopreventive activities.
As the most common form of vitamin A taken for dietary supplementation, retinyl palmitate binds to and activates retinoid receptors, thereby inducing cell differentiation and decreasing cell proliferation.
This agent also inhibits carcinogen-induced neoplastic transformation, induces apoptosis in some cancer cell types, and exhibits immunomodulatory properties. (NCI04)
Use and Manufacturing
Household & Commercial/Institutional Products
• Inside the Home
• Personal Care
Vitamin A palmitate—also called retinyl palmitate—is a pre-formed version of vitamin A that's easily absorbed by the body.
In animals and humans, it serves as a natural storage form of vitamin A.
Supplement and skincare manufacturers also produce a synthetic version for use in different products.
Found naturally in animal foods and synthetically in supplements, Vitamin A palmitate supports your vision and immunity.
The pre-formed versions of vitamin A—including Vitamin A palmitate—have higher bioavailability compared to carotenoids.
In other words, your body finds it easier to convert them to a biologically active form. Carotenoids are found in fruits and and vegetables and can be converted to vitamin A.
However, there are concerns surrounding excessive use.
Health Benefits of Vitamin A palmitate
There are some beneficial effects of Vitamin A palmitate, namely that it can help your body maintain adequate vitamin A stores and reduce the risk of certain diseases.
Help Prevent Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A palmitate supplementation—whether oral or injectable—may be used to treat a vitamin A deficiency.
Though it’s uncommon in the United States, certain groups are more likely to experience vitamin A deficiency:
Children and pregnant people in developing countries:
The higher risk of deficiency for this population can be attributed to a lack of vitamin A-rich food sources in the diet, as well as more frequent diarrhea infections that exacerbate vitamin A losses.
People with cystic fibrosis:
Those with cystic fibrosis have a more difficult time absorbing fat-soluble vitamins (which includes vitamin A).
Premature infants: When babies are born early, they typically have lower liver stores of vitamin A, increasing their risk of deficiency in early life.
May Reduce Risk of Severe Measles
Vitamin A deficiency is associated with an increased risk of severe measles.
In areas where deficiency is prominent, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children diagnosed with measles are given a high-dose oral vitamin A supplement for two days.
This may reduce the risk of death from measles.
May Reduce Risk of Tuberculosis
Vitamin A deficiency has been linked to increased tuberculosis risk, mainly among people living with a family member with tuberculosis or those with HIV.
In fact, one study found a striking ten-fold increase in tuberculosis risk among vitamin A deficient household contacts.
Another case-control study found that people with the highest dietary vitamin A and beta-carotene intake had the lowest risk of contracting tuberculosis.
Vitamin A palmitate helps skin to make its own retinol.
Basically, it ensures that skin is blooming with health.
Be sun-safe though: Vitamin A is so good at increasing cell turnover and exfoliation it can leave your skin more vulnerable to damage from UV rays.
We recommend you use SPF on your skin daily.
Good to know
Promotes healthy-looking skin
Supports collagen and elastin production
Partner with daily use of products containing SPF
Vitamin A palmitate in Food
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that everyone over 4 years of age should consume 5,000 IUs of vitamin A from both animal (retinoids) and plant sources (carotenoids).
Vitamin A palmitate is found in all animal products including:
Meat, including beef, pork, poultry and organ meats
Eggs
Fish
Dairy including cheese, butter and milk. Since vitamin A is lost when the fat is removed from low-fat and non-fat dairy products, the addition of palmitate in milk replaces the vitamin.
Breakfast cereals fortified with palmitate.
Vitamin A palmitate Supplements
As an oral supplement, vitamin A is beneficial if you have a poor or limited diet or have a condition that increases your vitamin A requirements, such as pancreatic disease, eye disease or measles.
Dietary supplements containing palmitate are often labeled preformed vitamin A and retinyl palmitate.
They are in the form of retinal, which is easily absorbed by your body.
Supplements with Vitamin A palmitate are sold over-the-counter as oral vitamin A tablets or capsules and are often available in multivitamin supplements.
Larger doses of palmitate for use to treat a deficiency can be administered by a physician in an injectable form.
Palmitate and Eye Health
Vitamin A is important for normal vision.
Research shows that Vitamin A palmitate is an effective treatment for an eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa.
Retinitis pigmentosa is a rare genetic disorder involving the deterioration of cells in the retina at the back of the eye.
Common symptoms include night blindness and loss of peripheral vision.
Retinol and derivatives of retinol that play an essential role in metabolic functioning of the retina, the growth of and differentiation of epithelial tissue, the growth of bone, reproduction, and the immune response.
Dietary vitamin A is derived from a variety of carotenoids found in plants.
Vitamin A palmitate is enriched in the liver, egg yolks, and the fat component of dairy products.
Vitamin A palmitate, otherwise known as retinyl palmitate, is a pre-formed version of vitamin A.
It’s found in animal products like eggs or chicken and beef liver.
Vitamin A is also often added to dairy products like milk.
But it can also be found in supplements on the shelves of drug stores.
Vitamin A palmitate is a nature-identical, synthetically-derived version of vitamin A.
There are many forms of this vitamin used in skincare, with a focus on maturing skin and gentle exfoliation.
Vitamin A palmitate is also known as retinyl palmitate, and like retinol and other forms of vitamin A it’s found in many age-related products.
Our Vitamin A palmitate is lab-created to exactly match the naturally-produced vitamin A.
Vitamin A palmitate is a yellow or yellow-brown viscous oily liquid, and can solidify at cooler room temperatures.
Vitamin A palmitate is quite sensitive to heat, light, and air, and it oxidizes quickly.
Ideally it’s used in an opaque airless pump container.
Because it is an oil, it is not soluble in water.
We recommend using it in either a carrier oil or oil blend, or else add it to lotions or creams.
Vitamin A palmitate can be added to the final phase of a product (when it is essentially finished) at about 2 to 10%.
At Essential Wholesale we sell it as an ingredient and incorporate it into many age-focused products.
As with all vitamin A based products, it is important to either use sunscreen or stay out of the sun after application.
For this reason it might make an excellent night repair cream or similar.
Vitamin A palmitate is all about rejuvenation, so may be especially appropriate as a night cream in the summertime after long days in the sun.
Retinyl palmitate is a retinoid that provides a range of skin care benefits.
Vitamin A palmitate is used as a first-line treatment for acne and addresses signs of aging by increasing collagen production.
As topical retinoids are known to increase sun sensitivity, sun exposure should be avoided after application.
Retinyl palmitate—also known as retinol palmitate or Vitamin A palmitat—is a powerful antioxidant and a common ingredient in skin care products such as moisturizers, sunscreens and topical acne medications.
What is Retinyl Palmitate?
Retinyl palmitate is a retinoid, a type of chemical compound derived from vitamin A.
Vitamin A palmitate is found naturally in meat, fish and eggs.
When absorbed by skin, it is converted into retinoic acid, an active form of vitamin A that provides a range of benefits.
Topical retinyl palmitate is commonly applied for acne treatments or anti-aging purposes, and is available in several forms, including creams, gels and serums.
Vitamin A palmitate can also be taken orally as an acne medication, or injected as a remedy for severe vitamin A deficiency.
Vitamin A palmitate can effectively treat mild acne and provides anti-aging benefits by boosting collagen production.
Retinyl palmitate is available in topical formulations and as an oral supplement, which can be taken to promote the overall health of the skin.
Retinyl Palmitate Benefits
Topical retinyl palmitate is used to treat mild acne and reduce the visibility of signs of aging.
Vitamin A palmitate is safe and effective for all skin types, although people with dry or sensitive skin should gradually introduce it into their routine because of its potential to cause irritation.
Acne treatment
Topical retinyl palmitate is a first-line treatment for acne that can effectively reduce both the severity and number of acne lesions and improve the overall appearance of acne-affected skin.
Retinyl palmitate can also be administered orally for acne treatment, although large doses (typically 150,000–200,000 IU daily) are necessary for noticeable effects to develop.
This retinoid increases cell turnover, which accelerates the rate at which dead and damaged skin is purged and new, healthy skin regenerates.
This helps keep pores clear by preventing the buildup of dead skin and other debris.
Retinyl palmitate also decreases skin inflammation, which reduces the likelihood of breakouts.
Due to its relatively low potency as a retinoid, retinyl palmitate is best suited for treating mild cases of acne.
For severe inflammatory types of acne, such as cysts and nodules, prescription-strength retinoids such as tretinoin are recommended instead.
Anti-aging benefits
Retinyl palmitate’s anti-aging benefits stem from the fact that it both supports the production and prevents the breakdown of collagen, the protein responsible for maintaining the structure, firmness and suppleness of skin.
The body’s collagen production slows as a natural part of the aging process, leading to decreased tissue volume, lax skin and the appearance of wrinkles.
Retinyl palmitate helps to counteract these effects, and softens the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles over time.
Retinyl palmitate can also help fade the appearance of age spots and other forms of skin discoloration.
Vitamin A palmitate does so by increasing cell turnover, which accelerates the rate at which unevenly pigmented areas of skin are purged.
The Vitamin A palmitate thickens the skin up to 30% which is particularly for older skin of significance since this is indicated by a thinning mostly.
Vitamin A palmitate activates the cell division and reduces the wrinkle depth at skin damaged by UV radiation.
Also called “The Normaliser”, Vitamin A palmitate has attracted great interest in recent years as it is the active agent for treatment of aging skin in beauty care.
Vitamin A palmitate promotes the enzyme activity in the skin.
Vitamin A palmitate thickens the epidermis and can regenerate skin prematurely aged by UV-radiation.
Vitamin A palmitate can also assist in increasing the skin’s elasticity and the reversal of photodamage.
Vitamin A palmitate is widely used in products such as moisturisers, lotions, body butters, shampoos, conditioners, gels and scrubs.
Vitamin A palmitate is particularly good for anti-aging formulations.
About Vitamin A palmitat
Helpful information
Vitamin A palmitate is registered under the REACH Regulation and is manufactured in and / or imported to the European Economic Area, at ≥ 100 to < 1 000 tonnes per annum.
Vitamin A palmitate is used by consumers, in formulation or re-packing, at industrial sites and in manufacturing.
Consumer Uses
Vitamin A palmitate is used in the following products: cosmetics and personal care products and perfumes and fragrances.
Other release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate is likely to occur from: indoor use as processing aid and outdoor use as processing aid.
Article service life
ECHA has no public registered data on the routes by which Vitamin A palmitate is most likely to be released to the environment. ECHA has no public registered data indicating whether or into which articles the substance might have been processed.
Widespread uses by professional workers
ECHA has no public registered data indicating whether or in which chemical products the substance might be used.
ECHA has no public registered data on the types of manufacture using Vitamin A palmitate.
ECHA has no public registered data on the routes by which Vitamin A palmitate is most likely to be released to the environment.
Formulation or re-packing
Vitamin A palmitate is used in the following products: pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care products and perfumes and fragrances.
Vitamin A palmitate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate can occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures, manufacturing of the substance, in processing aids at industrial sites, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Other release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitat is likely to occur from: indoor use as reactive substance.
Uses at industrial sites
Vitamin A palmitate is used in the following products: pharmaceuticals.
Vitamin A palmitate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Vitamin A palmitate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals.
Release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, formulation of mixtures, in processing aids at industrial sites, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Other release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate is likely to occur from: indoor use as reactive substance.
Manufacture
Release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate can occur from industrial use: manufacturing of the substance, formulation of mixtures, in processing aids at industrial sites, as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates) and of substances in closed systems with minimal release.
Other release to the environment of Vitamin A palmitate is likely to occur from: indoor use as reactive substance.
IUPAC NAMES:
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl hexadecanoate
3,-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6,-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol palmitate
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen- 1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate
all-trans-Retinyl palmitate
O~15~-palmitoylretinol
Retinyl Palmitate
Retinyl palmitate
retinyl palmitate
retinyl palmitate
Vitamin A-palmitat
SYNONYMS:
retinyl palmitate
Vitamin A palmitate
79-81-2
Retinol palmitate
Retinol, hexadecanoate
all-trans-Retinyl palmitate
Arovit
Optovit-A
Retinyl hexadecanoate
Aquapalm
Dispatabs Tabs
trans-Retinyl palmitate
Vitazyme A
Optovit A
Axerophthol palmitate
trans-Retinol palmitate
Lutavit A 500 Plus
O~15~-hexadecanoylretinol
UNII-1D1K0N0VVC
all-trans-Retinol palmitate
Arovit (Roche)
all-trans-Vitamin A palmitate
Aquasol A (TN)
Retinol, all-trans-, palmitate
[(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohexen-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] hexadecanoate
1D1K0N0VVC
Ester found in fish liver oils
Retinol palmitate (6CI,7CI)
CHEBI:17616
Palmitic acid, ester with retinol
Retinol, palmitate, all-trans- (8CI)
NCGC00095056-03
DSSTox_CID_1241
DSSTox_RID_76033
DSSTox_GSID_21241
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-Hexadeanoic acid 3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-1-enyl)-nona-2, 4,6,8,tetraenyl ester
Retinyl (Vitamin A) Palmitate
Vitamin A Solubilized
CAS-79-81-2
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl hexadecanoate
SMR000112463
CCRIS 3280
Retinol, palmitate, all-trans-
EINECS 201-228-5
BRN 191736
MFCD00019414
retinol-palmitate
retinyl-palmitate
Palmitic acid retinol
Retinyl palmitic acid
Vitamin A, palmitate
Vitamin- A palmitate
retinyl palmitate group
Retinyl hexadecanoic acid
Retinol palmitate [JAN]
Spectrum5_001201
bmse000501
EC 201-228-5
Retinol palmitate (JP17)
CHEMBL1675
SCHEMBL41649
MLS001332437
MLS001332438
SPECTRUM1503604
all-trans-retinyl hexadecanoate
DTXSID1021241
HMS500M11
HMS1922E10
HMS2093G13
HMS2268C06
Pharmakon1600-01503604
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-en-1-yl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraen-1-yl palmitate
AMY13840
HY-B1384
ZINC8214494
Tox21_113452
Tox21_303008
CCG-39342
LMPR01090013
NSC758478
s4126
retinol, O~15~-(1-oxohexadecyl)-
AKOS015918435
NSC 758478
NSC-758478
Vitamin A palmitat, 1.7 M.I.U./g
IDI1_000249
NCGC00095056-01
NCGC00095056-02
NCGC00256427-01
AC-20001
S302
SBI-0051830.P002
CS-0013116
2840-EP2305825A1
C02588
D00164
AB00052360_04
A839762
SR-05000001910
Q7316807
SR-05000001910-1
Retinyl palmitate (Vitamin A palmitat; Retinol palmitate)
Retinyl palmitate, potency: >=1,700,000 USP units per g
UNII-81G40H8B0T component VYGQUTWHTHXGQB-FFHKNEKCSA-N
Retinyl palmitate, Type IV, ~1,800,000 USP units/g, oil
Retinyl palmitate, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard
3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6,-trimethyl-1-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonatetraen-1-ol palmitate
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-Dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-cyclohex-en-1-yl)-2,4,6,8-nonateetraen-1-yl-palmitate
(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl palmitate
110067-62-4
hexadecanoic acid [(2E,4E,6E,8E)-3,7-dimethyl-9-(2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexenyl)nona-2,4,6,8-tetraenyl] ester
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A palmitat), Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard; Certified Reference Material
Retinyl palmitate solution, 100 mug/mL (Ethanol with 0.1% (w/v) BHT), ampule of 1 mL, certified reference material
