Retinyl palmitate

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Retinyl palmitate, or vitamin A palmitate, is a common vitamin supplement, with formula C₃₆H₆₀O₂. It is available in both oral and injectable forms for treatment of vitamin A deficiency, under the brand names Aquasol A® and Palmitate A®.

Retinyl palmitate is an alternate for retinyl acetate in vitamin A supplements, and is available in oily or dry forms. It is a pre-formed version of vitamin A, and can thus be realistically over-dosed, unlike beta-carotene.

It is also commonly added to reduced fat milk.

An alternate spelling, Retinol palmitate, which violates the -yl organic chemical naming convention for esters, is also frequently seen.

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). Studies show that topically applied retinyl palmitate reverses some aspects of skin aging.