The key difference between retinyl palmitate and retinol is that retinyl palmitate is a form of vitamin A; it is an ester formed from the reaction of retinol and palmitic acid. Meawhile, retinol is the purest form of vitamin A.
Vitamin A is a fat-soluble nutrient. It is an organic compound that contains retinol, retinoic acid, and provitamin A compounds, such as retinyl palmitate. Vitamin A is essential for good vision, healthy skin, teeth and skeleton and maintenance of the immune system. Moreover, vitamin A is an antioxidant. It prevents the formation of free radicals that damage the cells and repairs our skin as well. Retinyl palmitate and retinol are two forms of vitamin A. They are retinoids. Retinol is the purest form of vitamin A which is more potent than retinyl palmitate.