Index / A313 / Vitamin A Pommade
A313

Vitamin A Pommade.

A313 Vitamin A Pommade
Retinoids

About this product

A retinoid-based vitamin A pommade from A313, a French over-the-counter formula used to smooth texture and address signs of aging.

Best for

Mature skin
Retinoids

The Guru Index verdict

61%

Mixed

~Mixed · 61%
7Reviewers
3Approved
2Mixed
2Skip

What the gurus are saying

Gurus sharply divide on whether A313 actually works. Fans consistently report instant brightening and smoother texture within hours, praising its gentleness and cult status as a winter-friendly retinoid. Skeptics counter that retinol esters lack clinical efficacy and question the hype. A recurring complaint among enthusiasts is itchiness and irritation. The consensus leans positive among those who've used it personally, though some dermatologists argue the science doesn't back the results.
Synthesized from 7 expert reviews

Key actives & flags

RetinoidFragrance-freeAlcohol-free

Full ingredients

Retinyl Acetate, Retinyl Propionate, Retinyl Palmitate, Peg-4000, Peg 400, Polysorbate 80

Every take, in full

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Approved only Skip only Mixed only Hide sponsored
Skip
"A313 is a cream that contains retinyl palmitate. Retinyl palmitate is a retinyl ester, which is a vitamin A derivative that doesn't do what tretinoin, retinol, retinoic acid, retinaldehyde, tarotene, or trifluorotinene does. It doesn't do the collagen boosting. It just acts as an antioxidant. In other words, using a retinyl topical is not going to prime your skin for getting used to a topical retinoid. It's not a gentler version of that. It really just acts as an antioxidant. It's no different than using any other antioxidant. It may be helpful for warding off oxidative stress, but it's not going to help you deal with the retinization process or get primed for the retinization process."
Approved
"We're going to find the combination of these two peptides in, for example, the cult classic A313, that French pharmacy retinol. It has matrix 3000 in it. And it is honestly I think probably that's why you see those instant gratification effects when you use that particular product."
All 7 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss
Top 8 Peptides You Want In Your Skincare Routine — Expert Tips from a Dermatologist! | Dr. Idriss
"We're going to find the combination of these two peptides in, for example, the cult classic A313, that French pharmacy retinol. It has matrix 3000 in it. And it is honestly I think probably that's why you see those instant gratification effects when you use that particular product."
Anti-Aging Skincare for 50s+, Mature Skin, & Menopause | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"A313 is a French Pharmacy retinol which is relatively light but it gives instant gratification effects the next day. It does itch, FYI it does itch. I like it for this video because it is a much thicker base and almost feels like Vaseline."
40s Skincare Must Haves for YOUTHFUL Aging (Anti-Aging) from a Dermatologist! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"A313 is a cult favorite in France. A lot of bloggers are like I don't understand the value of this because it's so light. Yes, it is light. It's a combination of some of the lightest retinoids on the market which are the retinol esters, retinol acetate, petate and propionate. But what's amazing about this is that it has some sort of like magic voodoo in it where your face has an instant effect the next morning and you look somewhat smoother. But you will be itchy. I still get itchy. I can't fully tolerate it all the time. I'm not going to lie. But it does give a nice instant gratification the next day if you can tolerate it. And even though it is lighter, you do have more of that instant gratification, so it's going to make you want to use it to get long-term gain."
Bio-Retinoids: Boosting Your Collagen & Reducing Wrinkles The Natural Way?! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"A313 is honestly I love this. It's very light but I love it why because it does some magic Voodoo on your face where the next day you wake up looking airbrushed. But I will say when I put it on I do get itchy and sometimes I can't tolerate it. I think it depends on your barrier that day."
Top 5 Ingredients for Acne, Breakouts, Blackheads, Oily Skin! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"A313 by the French is a combination of three different types of retinol esters including retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and retinol propionate. It is very light but do not be fooled it does give an instant sort of glow the next day where your skin just feels tight and beautiful, but it can also be itchy when you apply it. It is a beautiful gel-like texture that goes on to your skin. Never use any sort of retinoid around this area because you will shed like a snake. I still can't tolerate it, it is what it is."
Top 5 Ingredients for Acne, Breakouts, Blackheads, Oily Skin! | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"A313 by the French is a combination of three different types of retinol esters including retinyl palmitate, retinyl acetate, and retinol propionate. It is very light but do not be fooled, it does give an instant sort of glow the next day where your skin just feels tight and beautiful, but it can also be itchy when you apply it. It is a beautiful gel-like texture that goes on to your skin. Never use any sort of retinoid around this area because you will shed like a snake. I still can't tolerate it."
How to Prevent Skin Thinning & Boost Your Collagen! From a Dermatologist | Dr. Shereene Idriss
"The A313, it is a French Pharmacy cult favorite made up of three different retinol esters. This is good for beginners. Is it great for the veterans out there? Probably not. But there is one Hocus Pocus thing about this product: you get some instant gratification the next day, which is odd even to me, but you look better. I can't explain it."
Approved
"A313 is a pommade. It's a classic French pharmacy product that contains retinyl esters only. There's no pure retinol or retinoid in it. It's a really gentle, beginner-friendly retinoid. It uses vitamin A ester which is used instead of pure retinol. It gives you still that smooth texture and it still enhances radiance and it will help support gradual skin renewal. It's more of a thicker emollient ointment base. So it's going to help with some of the irritation or dryness if you are somebody who's really sensitive to retinols. The key ingredients are retinol palmitate and tocopherol or vitamin E."
Approved
"A313 in the winter, some people say it doesn't work but I, no it doesn't. Look at me. I find it works like as a dry skin girl in the winter like it's just enough you know."
All 2 takes from Caroline Hirons
Glad We Had This Chat Takes New York - Nykita Joy
"A313 in the winter, some people say it doesn't work but I, no it doesn't. Look at me. I find it works like as a dry skin girl in the winter like it's just enough you know."
S2 Ep23: GLAD WE HAD THIS CHAT TAKES NEW YORK - 'Neo It Girl' Nykita Joy
"I'm a Tretinoin girl, yeah, but A313 in the winter. Some people say it doesn't work, but no, it does. Look at me. I find it works like as a dry skin girl in the winter, like it's just enough."
~Mixed
"A313 which markets in the US that this is the retinol all French women use and I literally just saw Reddit thread last night about how no French women uses this, nobody uses this, this is more like an ointment. It expired one month ago but I did review it."
Skip
"I don't really see a good reason why using this product anymore. In the past when retinol wasn't as widely available or as stable as it is today, then there could be a reason to use this type of product, but I think now there are products that are way more available, way more effective, and you can really expect to see results with. I actually do not like this product. I tried it for a while and didn't love it. A313, I don't need it. I personally don't want it."
All 2 takes from Doctorly
Weekend SkinCare Live!
"This retinoid is full of retinal esters. These retinal esters are not effective. There's so many studies showing retinal esters have no significant effect on the skin, and yet this is a cult favorite, like the castor oil of retinoids. There's a deep love for it, an obsession over it, but it doesn't do what you think it does. I've been to France, this is where I bought it in France. I tried the product on paper beforehand and it didn't work. Aesthetically I don't enjoy it either. So I just don't understand how that continues to get so much love."
Skincare That You DON'T NEED (But Might Want)
"I don't really see a good reason why using this product anymore. In the past when retinol wasn't as widely available or as stable as it is today, then there could be a reason to use this type of product, but I think now there are products that are way more available, way more effective, and you can really expect to see results with. I actually do not like this product. I tried it for a while and didn't love it. A313, I don't need it. I personally don't want it."
~Mixed
"A313 is good but it's overhyped because obviously when you're looking at the French world it's just another basic retinol. You should be using tretinoin if it has been prescribed to you, it works really well."
You might also like

Similar products worth a look.

Other products the same gurus have weighed in on, plus more from this brand and category.

This week's top beauty news, in your inbox.

A weekly read of the takes worth catching up on: the raves, the splits, the ones the gurus won't shut up about. Free, no spam, unsubscribe whenever.

Subscribe to the digest