There prevails misconception that using sunscreen and other forms of sun protection can lead to vitamin D deficiency and that the best way to obtain enough of the vitamin is through unprotected sun exposure. However, it can lead to a whole other set of serious problems. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization has indicated solar UV as a proven human carcinogen, with studies linking it to about 90% of nonmelanoma skin cancers and about 86 percent of melanomas, as well as premature skin aging. Additionally, UV radiation harms the eyes and can cause cataracts, eyelid cancers, and other ocular skin cancers, including melanomas.

Studies do not show that everyday sunscreen use can lead to vitamin D insufficiency. In fact, people who use sunscreen daily can optimally maintain their vitamin D levels.

One of the explanations for this may be that even after using much sunscreen and applying high SPF, some of the sun′s UV rays reach the skin. SPF 15 sunscreen filters out 93%, SPF 30 filters 97%, and SPF 50 filters 98% of UVB rays. This leaves anywhere from 2 to 7 percent of solar UVB to reach the skin, even with high-SPF sunscreens.

Controlled studies have shown that routine use of an SPF 15 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen declines the chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40%, melanoma by 50%, and premature skin aging by 24%.

Notably, it doesn′t take much sun exposure for the body to produce vitamin D. No more than 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to arms, legs, abdomen, and back, two to three times a week, followed by good sun protection, is recommended. That minor exposure produces all the vitamin D a body needs. Beyond that, the body automatically starts to dispose of vitamin D to avoid an overload. At this point, sun exposure renders nothing but sun damage without any of the presumed benefits.

Hence acquiring vitamin D from a combination of diet and supplements like Fatty fish, egg yolks, beef liver, cheese, milk, and orange juice is a good choice rather than unprotected skin exposure to the sun.

Skincare foundation [Internet]. Sun Protection and Vitamin D, MCNEILL AM, WESNER E. 2017. Available from: https://www.skincancer.org/blog/sun-protection-and-vitamin-d/