Carotenoids and Natural Sources of Retinol

Carotenoids are pigments in plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. These pigments produce the bright yellow, red, and orange colors in plants, vegetables, and fruits. There are more than 600 different types of carotenoids. Some are precursors of Vitamin A and can be converted into retinol by the body. A few of the most common carotenoids include: alpha carotene, beta carotene, beta cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene.

These compounds are commonly found in various plants and foods, making them natural sources of retinol. They are absorbed through diet and act as a type of antioxidant for humans. Carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, kale, and tomatoes are rich in alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, two of the best Carotenoids to satisfy humans' need for Vitamin A . Including these foods in your diet can contribute to maintaining healthy levels of Vitamin A and indirectly support skin health. However, it is important to note that the conversion of carotenes to retinol is limited, and for targeted skincare benefits, topical application of retinol is still necessary.

At NEREA we made sure to include algae and plants rich in carotenoids to offer our customers the best natural sources of retinol. NEREA Florida, NEREA Nuvola and NEREA Sempreverde, with their algae, plants and fruits extracts provide your skin with all the benefits of retinol without the potential side effects.