Retinyl acetate
Retinyl acetate
What does Retinyl acetate do for skin?
The acetic acid ester of retinol. Possible conversion or stabilisation is not proof of a wrinkle effect in people.
Dose on file: N/A
Is Retinyl acetate safe in skincare?
EU CosIng Annex III
Based on
- Reference: European Union, 2026
Annex III · Retinyl acetate counts toward the same retinol-equivalent cap.
- Reference: Korea MFDS
Country limits · 2 rules across 2 countries
Is Retinyl acetate classified as a carcinogen?
Only four bodies count here: IARC, EU CLP, US NTP and California Prop 65.
Not classified by IARC, EU CLP, US NTP, or California Prop 65.
How is Retinyl acetate regulated?
Cosmetic ingredient
Not found on any prescription-drug, professional-treatment, or US OTC monograph list, so it is treated as a cosmetic ingredient. This is a passive default ("not on any known restricted list"), not an individually verified positive finding.
Is Retinyl acetate safe during pregnancy?
Pregnant
Advised to avoid
Nursing
Use with care
Planning
Advised to avoid
Retinoid class: advised to avoid in pregnancy (Motherisk 2011). A 2026 meta-analysis (3.6M pregnancies) found no significant association with malformations or miscarriage, yet still supports precautionary avoidance. This is precaution, not evidence of harm.
- Reference: Bozzo P et al., 2011
avoid (precautionary)
- Reference: Alali AB et al., 2026
no significant association; precautionary avoidance
- Reference: EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, 2022
total vitamin A exposure
- Reference: US NIH / NICHD
nursing: extrapolated from tretinoin entry
Retinyl acetate benefits for skin, by concern
These raw scores are only shown here, in the ingredient dictionary.
Dose on file: N/A
Products that list this ingredient
15 products in our catalog list this ingredient. Here are the 12 with the most reviews.
- Peace OutTravel Size Salicylic Acid Acne Healing Dots
- Peace OutOil-Absorbing Pore Treatment Strips
- Peace OutSalicylic Acid Sheer Acne Day Dots
- AnthonyGlycolic Facial Cleanser
- AnthonyAcne Control Set
- AnthonyBack To Basics Set with Dopp Bag
- AnthonyEssentials Duo
- AnthonyHead to Toe Travel Duo
- AnthonyJumbo Bundle
- AnthonyPress Reset Trio
- AnthonyShave Kit
- AnthonySkin Savior Set
Sources (6)
- Reference: European Union, 2026
- Reference: Korea MFDS
- Reference: Bozzo P et al., 2011
- Reference: Alali AB et al., 2026
- Reference: EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, 2022
- Reference: US NIH / NICHD
Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.
Green does not mean right for you. Skin and allergies differ from person to person. Treat the color as a starting point.