Sunscreen and Vitamin D

So you are educated and savvy, knowing that wearing your sunscreen daily helps protect the skin from the dangers of sun and skin cancer. But you also know that over 60% of those living in North America (studies range on the percentage) are Vitamin D deficient. Our body converts the sunlight into Vitamin D. D3 is stored in the fat cells and isn’t released into the body to be utilized. Melanin blocks Vitamin D, so the darker your skin, the more likely you are to be deficient. With the recent Covid pandemic, there has been additional light shed on Vitamin D.

So, if you know you are lacking in Vitamin D and you know that sunshine converts to Vitamin D in the skin, how do you get the right amount and still protect your skin? Is there a win/win scenario here?

Low levels of Vitamin D contribute to thinning and fragile skin, a decrease in the elasiticty, suppleness and structural support, and dryness and wrinkles due to loss of hydration.

Having adequate Vitamin D levels protect the telomeres and dna damage. Telomeres are like the end caps of the shoe laces. When damage occurs, these plastic sleeves come off and start to shorten and fray. This shortening process is directly correlated to biological aging. Vitamin D combats against free radicals and oxidative stress, enhances skin’s immunity and healing capabilities.

The good news is that multiple studies show that use of a daily sunscreen does not lead to Vitamin D deficiency. Rarely do people use enough sunscreen to block all of the sun’s rays. Since the skin receives the leftovers of each nutrient, it’s always helpful to treat the skin topically versus internally.

So the answer is, yes! Please wear your sunscreen daily. And yes, treat your skin with amazing skin care that has great ingredients that the skin can recognize and absorb. If you believe that you are low in Vitamin D, check with your doctor about receiving your labs to determine your number. Then listen to his/her advice on how they would like to address your situation.

Don’t forget to

Breathe. Let Go. Relax.

Zoey Jolley, LE