In addition to the Retin A® breakthrough, he is responsible for the most widely used acne treatment available, Benzoyl Peroxide. A member of the American Board of Dermatology and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Fulton authored more than 300 medical articles and the definitive text on the treatment of acne, Acne RX. He opened the first line of dermatology clinics and was the first to employ an aesthetician in a dermatology office. He also pioneered surgical treatments and patented vitamin A therapies that now form the basis of the Vivant line.

In the field of dermatology, Dr. James Fulton is renowned as an innovator and pioneer responsible for scientific advances relied upon by the industry for more than forty years.

Dr. Fulton earned Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Tulane University in 1965.

He was inducted into Tulane’s prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and Phi Beta Kappa Society.

During his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania he met the noted dermatologist and researcher Dr. Albert Kligman.

Dr. Fulton’s work with Dr. Kligman led to the development of Retin-A®, a topical form of Vitamin A that revolutionized the treatment of acne and aging skin.

Dr. Fulton earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the early 1970's under the noted dermatologist Harvey Blank, M.D.

Dr. Fulton developed the benzoyl peroxide gel (Panoxyl®) and topical erythromycin (E-Gel®), setting the gold standards in acne treatment.

In the 1970's, Dr. Fulton along with wife Sara Fulton, herself a noted researcher, changed skin care again with the launch of a chain of 12 acne clinics and the establishment of the Acne Research Institute.

Dr. Fulton led innovation in the field of aesthetic science with the invention of a high-speed diamond fraise for dermabrasion.

He developed a paramedical training program for aestheticians and was the first to bring aestheticians into the medical office.

He pioneered fat transfer and laser surgery, as well as the use of the hyperbaric oxygen chamber for post-surgical recovery.

In the 1980s, Dr. Fulton patented Vitamin A Propionate, still the most effective non-prescription retinoid available.

Dr. Fulton introduced the practice of combining Vitamin A and AHAs in what would become the basis of the Vivant clinical line of advanced skin care products.

How Does Vitamin A Propionate Work?

Vitamin A Propionate works on the epidermis (the outer layer of skin), as well as the dermis, the deeper level of skin that most skin products cannot reach. Because of its short molecular chain, Vitamin A Propionate penetrates deeply and works quickly.

Skin cells are formed and shed off naturally every thirty days. Vitamin A Propionate accelerates that important renewal cycle to between 10 and 14 days. The upper layers of dead skin are shed off more quickly and the build-up of new debris is minimized. New skin is revealed, collagen production is stimulated. The dermis is increased as cells plump. The cell layers on the on the surface of the skin are reduced from 14 layers of compacted oil and dead cell debris to eight or nine resiliently elastic layers that give skin a healthy, youthful glow.

Dr. James E. Fulton, M.D., Ph.D. Scientist, Dermatologist, Cosmetic Surgeon, Pioneer

Vitamin A Propionate is a compound of the pure form of vitamin A and propionic acid. Other forms of topical vitamin A are derivatives of the acid form of vitamin A and have unpredictable results and a history of causing irritation like excessive peeling and redness.

Additionally, Vitamin A Propionate remains highly active in water-based formulations while derivative forms of vitamin A are often unstable and are easily degraded by oxygen and sunlight.

The biggest difference, however, lies in the ability to penetrate deeply into the skin. Vitamin A Propionate has a smaller molecular structure, which allows it to reach the deeper layers of skin where it accelerates cell proliferation and the growth of collagen and elastin. The most common derivative vitamin A palmitate (retinol) has a large molecular structure that makes it unable to penetrate skin and effectively treat photo-aging or acne.

Vitamin A Propionate strikes the perfect balance of molecular size and stability to be highly effective in topical applications. Clinical studies have proven to be far superior to any of its derivative cousins in generating growth of new collagen deeper in the skin, reversing the signs of photo-damage, aging and acne, and promoting a healthy, radiant glow without irritation.