Vitamin A is one of the nutrients your skin needs. In Europe, vitamin A may carry the claim that it "contributes to the maintenance of normal skin."[1] In two studies, people with acne also had lower blood vitamin A than people without acne.[2][3] ClearDerm with Probiotics includes vitamin A, in two forms, alongside zinc and 20 other ingredients, to help promote clear skin.[4] Here is what vitamin A does for skin and how it fits into the formula.
On this page
From Anirva, the maker of ClearDerm with Probiotics. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
- Skin needs vitamin A. It supports cell growth and differentiation, and it "contributes to the maintenance of normal skin."[5][1]
- People with acne had lower blood vitamin A. Two studies, with 150 and 200 people, found this link.[2][3]
- Dermatology has a long history with vitamin A. Prescription acne medicines such as tretinoin and isotretinoin are related to vitamin A. A daily supplement is not one of these medicines.[6]
- ClearDerm uses two forms. Retinyl acetate is ready to use; beta-carotene is a plant pigment the body converts into vitamin A.[5][4]
- It works as part of a team. Zinc influences how the body absorbs, moves and uses vitamin A, and ClearDerm provides both.[7][4]
Facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ingredient and forms | Vitamin A, as retinyl acetate and beta-carotene |
| Amount in ClearDerm | [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg RAE a day, in 2 capsules ([AMOUNT REQUIRED]% of the Daily Value) |
| Daily Value | 900 mcg RAE |
| Recommended intake, adults | 700 mcg RAE a day for women; 900 mcg RAE for men |
| Adult upper limit, US | 3,000 mcg a day of preformed vitamin A (retinyl acetate counts; beta-carotene does not) |
| Kinds of evidence | Nutrition science, blood studies in people with acne, and the history of vitamin A in skin care |
| Last reviewed | [DATE] |
What is vitamin A, and why does skin need it?
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. The NIH lists its roles in vision, immune function and cell communication, and says it "supports cell growth and differentiation."[5]
Differentiation is the process by which a young cell matures into its working form.[5]
In the skin, retinoic acid, a form of vitamin A, switches genes on and off in both the outer skin layer and the deeper layer.[6]
When animals lack vitamin A, their skin changes. Many glands shrink, including the oil and sweat glands, and wounds heal more slowly.[6]
In Europe, vitamin A may carry the claim that it "contributes to the maintenance of normal skin."[1]
How does vitamin A reach the skin?
Vitamin A from food and supplements is stored in the liver. From there, it travels in the blood bound to a carrier called retinol-binding protein. It "reaches the skin via capillaries in the dermis."[6]
Skin cells can also turn beta-carotene into vitamin A compounds themselves.[6]
There are two families of vitamin A:[5]
- Preformed vitamin A. Retinol and retinyl esters, such as the retinyl acetate in ClearDerm. The body can use these directly.
- Provitamin A. Plant pigments such as beta-carotene. The body turns them into vitamin A.
Is low vitamin A linked to acne?
Two studies compared blood vitamin A in people with acne and people without it.
A study of 200 people (2006)
Researchers measured blood vitamin A in 100 people with new, untreated acne and 100 healthy people of the same ages.[2]
People with acne had about 20% less vitamin A in their blood: 336.5 against 418.1 micrograms per litre. Levels were lowest in people with the most serious acne.[2]
A study of 150 people (2014)
Researchers studied 94 people with newly diagnosed acne and 56 healthy volunteers of matching age and sex.[3]
Blood vitamin A was lower in the acne group. In this study, vitamin A did not differ between milder and more serious acne; zinc and vitamin E did.[3]
The authors suggested "supportive dietary measures with foods rich in vitamin A and E and zinc" for people with acne.[3]
What these studies mean
These studies show a link, not cause and effect. They measured blood levels at one point in time, and they did not test supplements.[2][3]
In both studies, people with acne had lower blood vitamin A than people without acne.[2][3]
Vitamin A and acne care: a long history
Doctors have studied vitamin A for acne since the 1940s.[8] Those studies used very high doses that need a doctor's care.[8]
Today's retinoid medicines are compounds related to vitamin A. Tretinoin cream is "considered a very safe and effective treatment for mild to moderate acne". Isotretinoin pills are used for serious acne that has not cleared with creams.[6]
Tretinoin helps clear blocked pores by speeding up the turnover of the cells that line them.[6]
A daily supplement is different from these medicines. ClearDerm provides vitamin A at a nutrition level, to help your body keep its normal supply.[4][5]
Vitamin A and zinc
Zinc and vitamin A are linked in the body. A 1998 review found that zinc status influences how vitamin A is absorbed, moved and used.[7]
Researchers point to two steps. Zinc helps the body make the proteins that carry vitamin A, and an enzyme that needs zinc helps convert vitamin A into its working forms.[7]
In people, the link is weaker than in theory. Zinc supplements have not consistently raised vitamin A levels.[7]
ClearDerm provides vitamin A together with 30 mg of zinc.[4] Our article on zinc explains what the zinc trials found.
In the acne blood study from 2014, people with acne had lower vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc than people without acne.[3]
How much vitamin A is in ClearDerm?
Two capsules of ClearDerm provide [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg RAE of vitamin A, which is [AMOUNT REQUIRED]% of the Daily Value.[4]
Of this, [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg comes from retinyl acetate and [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg RAE from beta-carotene.[4]
RAE stands for retinol activity equivalents. It puts both forms on one scale, so you can compare them with the daily needs below.[5]
| Amount a day (mcg RAE) | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended intake, women | 700 | NIH |
| Recommended intake, men | 900 | NIH |
| Daily Value on labels | 900 | NIH |
| ClearDerm, 2 capsules | [AMOUNT REQUIRED] | Label |
| US upper limit for adults (preformed vitamin A) | 3,000 | NIH |
Why two forms of vitamin A?
ClearDerm combines retinyl acetate and beta-carotene.[4] The two forms reach the body's vitamin A supply in different ways.
- Retinyl acetate is preformed vitamin A. The body can use it directly.[5]
- Beta-carotene is a plant pigment the body converts into vitamin A. It is also an antioxidant.[5][9]
Beta-carotene has a safety advantage. It does not count toward the upper limit, and the NIH says it is not known to cause birth defects. High doses are not advised for smokers (see the safety section).[5]
Is vitamin A safe? Safety and interactions
At nutrition levels, vitamin A is a normal part of a healthy diet. Too much preformed vitamin A can be harmful, so it is worth knowing the limits.
- Upper limit. For adults, the US upper limit is 3,000 mcg a day of preformed vitamin A, from food and supplements together.[5] ClearDerm provides [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg of preformed vitamin A.[4]
- Pregnancy. Too much preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects. Experts cited by the NIH advise women who are or might be pregnant, and those who are breastfeeding, not to take more than 3,000 mcg RAE a day from supplements.[5]
- Retinoid medicines. Taking vitamin A supplements with retinoid medicines, such as acitretin and bexarotene, can raise the risk of getting too much vitamin A.[5] Isotretinoin, used for acne, is also a retinoid; ask your doctor.[6]
- Smokers. In two large trials, high-dose beta-carotene (20 to 30 mg a day) raised lung cancer risk in smokers, former smokers and asbestos workers.[5] ClearDerm's beta-carotene is [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mg.[4]
Vitamin A is one part of ClearDerm
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule skin supplement with 22 ingredients: vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, an enzyme and six probiotic strains. They were chosen to promote clear skin, support a clear complexion and support the gut–skin connection.[4]
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin.[1] Zinc influences how the body uses it.[7] The probiotic blend supports the gut–skin connection.[4]
ClearDerm has not been clinically tested as a finished product. When you take it, you are not relying on one ingredient alone.
ClearDerm is made in Phoenix, Arizona, in a cGMP-certified facility. Every ingredient is listed on the label, and the probiotic blend is given as one total.[4]
Vitamin A is found in liver, fish, dairy, eggs, leafy greens and orange vegetables such as carrots.[5] A few points help you use ClearDerm well: take ClearDerm with food and water, as the directions say[4]; count all your supplements — if you take a multivitamin or another vitamin A product, add up the preformed vitamin A[5]; and if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or nursing, use a retinoid medicine, smoke, or take any medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you start.[5][4]
22 ingredients, including vitamin A and zinc
ClearDerm with Probiotics is a daily two-capsule supplement that pairs vitamin A, in two forms, with zinc and other vitamins, minerals and plant extracts chosen to support clear skin. Every ingredient is listed on the label.
See ClearDermIf you are deciding
Vitamin A supports cell growth and differentiation, and it "contributes to the maintenance of normal skin."[5][1] In two studies, people with acne had lower blood vitamin A; these studies did not test supplements.[2][3] Zinc influences how the body uses vitamin A.[7] ClearDerm provides both, with 20 other ingredients chosen to promote clear skin.[4]
The short version
Vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of normal skin. ClearDerm provides it in two forms, alongside zinc, to help promote clear skin.
Frequently asked questions
Is vitamin A good for acne-prone skin?
What does vitamin A do for skin?
Is vitamin A the same as retinol or retinoids?
What is the difference between retinyl acetate and beta-carotene?
Retinyl acetate is preformed vitamin A that the body uses directly. Beta-carotene is a plant pigment the body converts into vitamin A.[5]
How much vitamin A do adults need?
The recommended intake is 700 mcg RAE a day for women and 900 mcg RAE for men. The Daily Value is 900 mcg RAE.[5]
How much vitamin A is in ClearDerm?
Two capsules provide [AMOUNT REQUIRED] mcg RAE, from retinyl acetate and beta-carotene.[4]
Can I take vitamin A while pregnant?
Can I take ClearDerm with isotretinoin or other retinoids?
Vitamin A supplements taken with retinoid medicines can raise the risk of getting too much vitamin A. Ask your doctor before you start.[5]
References
- European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432 (accessed October 11, 2026).
- El-Akawi Z, Abdel-Latif N, Abdul-Razzak K. Does the plasma level of vitamins A and E affect acne condition? Clin Exp Dermatol. 2006;31(3):430-434. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2230.2006.02106.x. PMID: 16681594.
- Ozuguz P, Dogruk Kacar S, Ekiz O, Takci Z, Balta I, Kalkan G. Evaluation of serum vitamins A and E and zinc levels according to the severity of acne vulgaris. Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2014;33(2):99-102. doi:10.3109/15569527.2013.808656. PMID: 23826827.
- Anirva. ClearDerm with Probiotics Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/clear-derm-with-probiotics (accessed October 11, 2026).
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin A and carotenoids: fact sheet for health professionals. Updated March 10, 2025. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/ (accessed October 11, 2026).
- Angelo G. Vitamin A and skin health. Written November 2012; reviewed December 2012 by Fisher G. Micronutrient Information Center, Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-A (accessed October 11, 2026).
- Christian P, West KP Jr. Interactions between zinc and vitamin A: an update. Am J Clin Nutr. 1998;68(2 Suppl):435S-441S. doi:10.1093/ajcn/68.2.435S. PMID: 9701158.
- Cook MK, Perche PO, Feldman SR. The use of oral vitamin A in acne management: a review. Dermatol Online J. 2022;28(5). doi:10.5070/D328559239. PMID: 36809126.
- Krinsky NI, Johnson EJ. Carotenoid actions and their relation to health and disease. Mol Aspects Med. 2005;26(6):459-516. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2005.10.001. PMID: 16309738.
