Does Sunscreen Block Vitamin D From Your Body?

With the prevalence of skin cancer cases rising, you have likely heard of the importance of protecting your skin with sunscreen. While this is true, it is also true that Vitamin D produced by the sun is a critical vitamin for healthy bodies and healthy development. So, the question at hand is, does consistently lathering up with sunscreen actually block the Vitamin D from entering your body? Let's dig in a bit deeper.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is an essential nutrient in promoting and maintaining bone health and normal growth. It is critical in assisting with any musculoskeletal injury or healing a wound. It is also an important component in strengthening your immune system to prevent diseases, as well as aids the digestive and nervous systems.

How do you get Vitamin D?

1. Sunlight: Your body naturally forms Vitamin D when your skin is exposed to the sun.

2. Consume Vitamin D rich food: Foods rich in Vitamin D include:

• tuna

• shrimp

• sardines

• mushrooms

• egg yolks

• orange juice with Vitamin D

3. Supplement: People who do not get enough Vitamin D naturally may have to take a Vitamin D3 supplement. Your doctor should monitor you to make sure your Vitamin D levels are neither too low nor too high.

Does Sunscreen prevent the production of Vitamin D?

Believe it or not, many types of sunscreen can actually prevent your body from producing Vitamin D naturally, which can lead to a deficiency. While it is important to prevent skin cancer and overexposure to the sun, it is recommended that you get about 15-20 minutes of direct sun exposure without sunscreen in order to properly produce Vitamin D. This does not necessarily have to be on your face, but to an unexposed section of skin.

Who is Vitamin D deficient?

Most people in urban settings are Vitamin D deficient - especially with the changing seasons of the east coast, there is typically not as much sun exposure.

People with darker skin tones are also more prone to deficiencies, as it takes more time to produce Vitamin D with larger amounts of melanin.

The bottom line:

When your body becomes deficient in Vitamin D, it can significantly decrease normal and healthy functioning. Be sure to get your Vitamin D and sun exposure in where possible, but still be diligent about protecting your skin from overexposure.