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Sun, skin & vitamin D: finding the balance
As summer is in full swing, one of the most common questions we hear from patients is: “Should I use sunscreen if I’m worried about my vitamin D levels?” The short answer is yes and this blog explains why you can protect your skin and maintain healthy vitamin D at the same time.
You need sun
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient. It supports bone density, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures, and it strengthens the immune system, supports muscle function, and plays a role in heart health and mood regulation. Most of the vitamin D your body needs is produced in the skin when exposed to UVB rays from sunlight.
Deficiency has been linked to fatigue, low mood, and aching joints and muscles. Keeping your levels at ideal levels is important for long-term bone health and affects how well you sleep and how energised you feel day to day.
In the UK, with our frequently overcast skies and northern latitude, vitamin D deficiency is a common concern, particularly in autumn and winter when UVB levels are too low for skin production. During summer months, outdoor time remains one of the best natural ways to support your levels.
Those at greatest risk of deficiency include people with darker skin tones, older adults, those who spend most of their time indoors, and individuals with certain medical conditions. Be aware that vitamin D also relies on receptors in the body to do its job, and not everyone’s receptors work the same way. As our Environmental Naturopath, Jean Monro, explains: “There are, in the body, what are known as vitamin D receptors. Many people have an impediment in the genetic profile for these receptors, and we can measure the genetic performance of these receptors with a simple swab from the inside of the mouth.”
If you are concerned about your vitamin D status, your Breakspear Medical practitioner can arrange a simple blood test to check your levels and, where relevant, explore whether genetics may be playing a role, too.
It is also important for patients on certain medications to be aware that a wide range of commonly prescribed medications can make the skin significantly more sensitive to UV light, which is a condition known as “drug-induced photosensitivity.” These include certain antibiotics such as doxycycline, diuretics, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, statins, antifungals, and retinoids used for skin conditions. If you’re unsure whether any of your current medications carry a photosensitivity risk, please speak to your doctor before spending time in the sun.
The sunscreen & vitamin D myth
A widespread concern is that sunscreen prevents vitamin D production. The science tells a more reassuring story.
While UVB rays are the same wavelengths responsible for both sunburn and vitamin D synthesis, clinical studies have consistently found that everyday sunscreen use does not lead to vitamin D insufficiency. Even with an SPF 30 sunscreen filtering out 97% of UVB rays, some rays still reach the skin and it takes relatively little UVB exposure to trigger meaningful vitamin D production.
The most recent large-scale evidence comes from the Australian Sun-D Trial (2025), which found that even those using SPF 50+ sunscreen daily showed only a modest reduction in vitamin D levels of around 5.2 nmol/L compared to those using sunscreen at their discretion.
The conclusion from the research community is that sunscreen should not be avoided out of vitamin D concerns. Healthy vitamin D levels can be maintained through a combination of safe sun exposure, a diet that includes vitamin D-rich foods such as oily fish and eggs, and supplementation where needed.
IN THE NEWS
The BBC recently covered the ongoing debate around sun safety and vitamin D, highlighting that many people in the UK are either over-cautious about sun exposure (risking vitamin D deficiency) or dismissive of sunscreen (increasing their cancer risk). The key message from dermatologists and health experts is the same: protection and vitamin D production are not mutually exclusive. Smart sun habits, including sunscreen use, allow you to enjoy both benefits.
Why your skin needs sun protection
UV radiation from the sun is a proven to cause cancer in humans, classified as such by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) cancer research arm. Every time unprotected skin is exposed to the sun, UV light damages the DNA in skin cells and this damage accumulates over a lifetime.
The consequences are significant. Regular use of an SPF 15 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen has been shown to reduce the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and premature skin ageing. UV radiation also harms the eyes, contributing to cataracts, eyelid cancers, and ocular melanomas.
Both UVA and UVB rays cause harm. UVB is the primary cause of sunburn and a major driver of skin cancer, while UVA penetrates more deeply, accelerating skin ageing and also contributing to cancer risk. A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect against both.
Our sunscreen recommendation: Green People
At Breakspear Medical, we are particularly mindful that many of our patients have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), allergies/sensitivities and/or highly reactive skin. Finding a sunscreen that is both effective and tolerable can be genuinely difficult.
Our Pharmacy recommends Green People’s sunscreen, which is an organic, allergy certified, dermatologically tested, scent-free sunscreen which meets the needs of many sensitive and chemically reactive individuals. Green People sunscreen is available in a range of SPF levels to suit different skin types and sun exposure needs. It is free from Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, and Avobenzone, which are UV filters that raise concerns for both health and the marine environment.
We asked Green People directly whether their sunscreens affect vitamin D production. Here is what they told us:
Our sunscreens do not prevent your body from absorbing vitamin D3. Like all sunscreens, they work by reducing the amount of UVB rays that reach the skin, which may slightly reduce the skin’s natural vitamin D production while the product is being worn. However, everyday sunscreen use does not completely block vitamin D production, and healthy vitamin D levels can still be maintained through a combination of safe sun exposure, a balanced diet, and supplements if required. We recommend continuing to use sunscreen as directed to help protect your skin from sun damage.” — Green People
Green People’s response is consistent with the clinical evidence; sunscreen does not block vitamin D production completely, and sensible vitamin D supplementation fills any seasonal gap.
Practical sun safety tips for summer
- Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen to all exposed skin before going outdoors and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Seek shade between 11am and 3pm when UV levels are at their highest.
- Wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-filtering sunglasses for extended outdoor time.
- Enjoy brief, regular outdoor time. A short walk in the morning or evening can contribute to vitamin D production with lower UV risk.
- Consider a vitamin D supplement, particularly from October to March when UK sunlight is insufficient for skin production. Ask your Breakspear Medical practitioner for personalised guidance.
- If you have MCS or sensitive skin, avoid sunscreens with synthetic fragrances, chemical UV filters such as Oxybenzone, or known irritants.
- Have your vitamin D levels checked if you are concerned. A simple blood test can confirm your status and guide supplementation.
- Many people have an impediment in the genetic profile for vitamin D receptors, and we can measure the genetic performance of these receptors with a simple swab from the inside of the mouth, if you wish to investigate.
Contact us
If you have any further questions or if you’d like to set up a vitamin D test, our Patient Liaison Team is here to talk you through your options.
Call: +44 (0)1442 261 333
Visit: breakspearmedical.com/appointments
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