Use of Sunscreen and Vitamin D Production (Clinical Report‪)‬

Norval M, Wulf HC. 2009. Does chronic sunscreen use reduce vitamin D production to insufficient levels? Brit J Dermatol 161:4;732-6. Exposure to ultraviolet B radiation in sunlight provides the mechanism for more than 90% of the vitamin D production in most individuals. Given the increasing prevalence of diseases and health problems linked with low vitamin D levels, concern has been expressed in recent years that the widespread use of sunscreens, particularly those with high sun protection factors, may be one of the causative factors in this pattern, by leading to a significant decrease in solar induced previtamin D3 in the skin.