The health-boosting vitamin we shouldn't be missing

From helping us to have great skin, maintaining eye health, treating acne, and supporting the immune system, vitamin A is a powerhouse for our body.

It's a fat-soluble essential vitamin, one our systems cannot produce alone, meaning you can only get it onboard by eating foods that contain it or applying it topically to the skin.

Luckily, it's readily available through many animal and plant-based foods. Here's a few ways to grab your daily dose.

Which foods contain vitamin A?

The two main forms of vitamin A in the human diet are preformed vitamin A (retinol, retinyl esters), and provitamin A carotenoids such as beta-carotene that are converted to retinol.

Preformed vitamin A comes from animal products, fortified foods, and vitamin supplements, where as carotenoids are found naturally in plant foods.

Many breakfast cereals, juices, dairy products, and other foods are fortified with retinol (preformed vitamin A). Lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as some supplements, contain beta-carotene.

1. Leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach and broccoli
2. Orange and yellow vegetables like carrots, sweet potato and pumpkin
3. Tomatoes
4. Red bell pepper
5. Cantaloupe, mango
6. Beef liver
7. Fish oils
8. Milk
9. Eggs
10. Fortified foods

There are other types of carotenoids found in foods that are not converted to vitamin A, but have great health-promoting properties as well.

What can it do for my skin?

Vitamin A also stimulates the production and activity of white blood cells, takes part in remodelling bones, helps maintain healthy endothelial cells (those lining the body’s interior surfaces), and regulates cell growth and division such as needed for reproduction.

For this reason, vitamin A works wonders on our skin as it helps increase cell turnover, keeping things healthy under, and on the surface.

We love the Olay Regenerist Retinol24 range, which include day, night and eye creams, all containing retinol, which is vitamin A in its most basic form.

The night cream contains a proprietary blend combining Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) + Retinoid Complex, for 24 hours of hydration, as well as a bounty of other benefits.

It will help visibly smooth fine lines and wrinkles, unleashing the eye’s glow and evening skin texture while you sleep.