"Most people still get enough vitamin D through diet, supplements, or incidental sun exposure."
“If you wear sunscreen, your body won’t make enough vitamin D.”
But what does the science actually say?
A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology explored how different parts of the body contribute to vitamin D production—and what happens when sunscreen blocks UVB in those areas.
Study Medthods
Researchers exposed healthy adults to a controlled dose of UVB radiation and measured changes in serum vitamin D3 levels. Participants applied sunscreen to different regions: Head & neck, Arms, Trunk, Legs, Whole body. Then they measured how much vitamin D3 was produced after the exposure.
What They Found
Applying sunscreen to the entire body completely blocked vitamin D production from UVB
Vitamin D production is proportional to exposed skin area—and yes, broad application of sunscreen can reduce it significantly.
So, Should You Worry?
Not necessarily. While sunscreen can reduce vitamin D synthesis:
- Most people don’t apply enough or frequently enough to block all UVB.
- Many people still get incidental sun exposure through daily life.
- Vitamin D can also be obtained through diet and supplements.
UVELLA’s perspective
Sun protection is essential—but so is skin health as a whole.
At UVELLA, we promote balanced skincare supplemented with vitamin D to support your skin’s natural vitality.
Scientific Reference
- Matsuoka, L. Y., et al. (1990). Use of topical sunscreen for the evaluation of regional synthesis of vitamin D3. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 22(5), 772–775.
Reviewed by:
Jungyoon Ohn, MD, PhD
Board-Certified Dermatologist
