Vitamin A is the name for retinoids (like our friend retinol) that support immune function, vision, reproduction, and cell communication.
Usually, you can get enough of it by noshing on plant or animal sources like tomatoes, spinach, carrots, dairy, eggs, broccoli, salmon, chicken, or beef.
Though vitamin A deficiency is rare in countries like the U.S., you could be at risk if:
- you have cystic fibrosis
- you’re pregnant or breastfeeding
- you have chronic diarrhea
- you lack adequate nutrition
If you’ve spoken with a health professional and decided that you might need a vitamin A boost via supplement, we’ve identified some of the best options out there.
How we chose the best vitamin A supplements
Don’t Google too hard, now — we did it for you (and more). Here’s how we found the best vitamin A supplements:
- Third-party certifications. We looked for supplements third-party tested by places like global health authority NSF International. It’s one thing when a company says their supplements do this or that — it’s another when an unbiased source confirms it. This helps to ensure the products truly live up to company claims.
- Quality ingredients. We researched the forms of vitamin A that the body’s able to absorb most efficiently and safely, including fish oil, retinyl acetate, and beta-carotene. We then picked products that are free of unnecessary fillers (because srsly, nobody needs that ish in their life).
- Reviews and reputation. We prioritized top-rated supplements (with legit reviews!) and companies with trusted reputations in the industry. The people have spoken!
Pricing guide
(price per serving)
- $ = under $0.50
- $$ = $0.50–$1
- $$$ = over $1
Best vegetarian vitamin A supplements
1. Pure TheraPro Rx Vegan A-D-K Full Spectrum Drops
Price: $
Type: liquid
Key ingredients: vitamin A (palmitate and beta-carotene), vitamin D3, vitamin K2, coconut oil, castor oil
Whether you’re gluten-free, vegan, or want to stay away from GMOs, this liquid supplement’s got your back (and your dietary restrictions). It’s also free of soy, fillers, and only contains a bit of added fat, which helps your bod absorb fat-soluble vitamins more easily.
Keep in mind that fat-soluble vitamins can potentially accumulate in your stored body fat and cause vitamin toxicity. There *is* such a thing as too much of a good thing, and in this case, that thing is vitamin A. To stay safe, it’s best to talk with a health pro before taking fat-soluble supplements.
It provides 167 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A. To lower your risk of toxicity, be sure to not go over the recommended serving size. This supplement is third-party tested for safety.
2. Swanson Beta Carotene
Price: $
Type: softgel
Key ingredients: vitamin A (beta-carotene), gelatin, beeswax, soybean oil
At 200 percent of the DV for vitamin A per serving, this is a solid option. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, it’s a big nope for you, though, since it has gelatin and beeswax. It also has some additives like soy lecithin, an emulsifier that holds ingredients together, that some may be sensitive to consuming (esp. those with soy allergies).
The supplement underwent third-party testing for product quality. Reviewers rave about everything from better eyesight to stronger hair and nails. 💅 A few complained about the vitamins showing up hot and stuck together, but that seems to be more of a rare transit issue, not the product itself.
