Retinol

Retinol suppliers and sourcing guide

Retinol is all-trans-retinol, the alcohol form of vitamin A. Material for cosmetics is made by chemical synthesis and is a yellow, oil-soluble compound that breaks down quickly in air, light and heat. Because the neat substance is hard to handle, brands usually buy it already diluted in an oil, ester or surfactant carrier with added stabilizers such as BHT or tocopherol, or as an encapsulated powder or dispersion.

See suppliers What to ask for on the COA

Category: Cosmetic actives
Also known as: all-trans-retinol · vitamin A alcohol · vitamin A1 · CAS 68-26-8
Facts checked: November 2026

Forms and grades of retinol

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

Retinol in oil or ester carrier
Solutions of retinol in a carrier such as caprylic/capric triglyceride or an ester, sold at a stated retinol percentage or IU per gram. The carrier and stabilizers belong on the specification.
Retinol in polysorbate
Retinol dissolved in polysorbate 20 with stabilizers, a common format for water-based emulsions because it disperses more easily.
Encapsulated retinol
Retinol held in microcapsules, liposomes or polymer particles as a powder or aqueous dispersion. Retinol content per gram is much lower than in liquid concentrates, so dose by the stated active level.
Pharmaceutical-grade vitamin A
Retinol made to a pharmacopeial or food-chemical specification, mainly sold into food and supplement use rather than skin care.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Retinol assay (HPLC or UV): All-trans-retinol content by HPLC or UV absorbance, reported as percent or IU per gram. The method should be named, since UV assays can count degradation products.
Related substances: Isomers such as 13-cis-retinol and oxidation products by HPLC, which rise as the material ages or is exposed to air.
Stabilizer content: BHT, BHA or tocopherol level where the supplier declares them, so the finished product label and INCI list are complete.
Appearance and color: Color and clarity of the solution; darkening or haze is an early sign of degradation.
Heavy metals: Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the supplier specification.
Microbiology: Total aerobic count, yeast and mold for water-containing dispersions and encapsulated forms.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Retinol must be kept cold, dark and away from air: most suppliers ship it in sealed containers under nitrogen and specify refrigerated or frozen storage. Opened containers should be blanketed with nitrogen and resealed, and drums should be portioned into smaller containers rather than opened repeatedly. Shelf life is set by the supplier, and aged stock should be reassayed before use.

Lots and expiry dates

Record the actual retinol assay and the stabilizer system for each lot, because potency falls with every exposure to air and light. Use the oldest lot first and reassay any lot that has been opened several times or held near the end of its shelf life.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist restricts retinol and its esters to 0.2% total retinol equivalents in leave-on products for full body application and 1.0% in other cosmetics.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists all-trans-retinol (common name retinol) as an approved ingredient with the non-medicinal purpose skin-conditioning agent, for topical use within the same retinol-equivalent limits.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
21 CFR 184.1930 affirms vitamin A (retinol, CAS 68-26-8) as GRAS as a direct food ingredient, extracted from fish liver oils or made by total synthesis.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Retinol suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking retinol suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of retinol can brands buy?

Common forms include retinol in oil or ester carrier, retinol in polysorbate, encapsulated retinol and pharmaceutical-grade vitamin A. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for retinol include?

Expect retinol assay (HPLC or UV), related substances, stabilizer content, appearance and color, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should retinol be stored?

What is the regulatory status of retinol?

Health Canada's Cosmetic Ingredient Hotlist restricts retinol and its esters to 0.2% total retinol equivalents in leave-on products for full body application and 1.0% in other cosmetics. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists all-trans-retinol (common name retinol) as an approved ingredient with the non-medicinal purpose skin-conditioning agent, for topical use within the same retinol-equivalent limits. 21 CFR 184.1930 affirms vitamin A (retinol, CAS 68-26-8) as GRAS as a direct food ingredient, extracted from fish liver oils or made by total synthesis.

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