A-Z of Cosmetic Ingredients and Terms
Sunlight acts on the skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is essential for good health, in particular to maintain healthy bones.
Certain foods are also a source of vitamin D; for example, it is found in oily fish, eggs, fortified foods, dairy, mushrooms and supplements.
Vitamin D exists in different forms. In the UK vitamin D is not used as an ingredient in cosmetic products as the main forms are not permitted under UK rules. A question that is often asked is whether sunscreen impacts the body’s production of this essential vitamin. Scientific studies have found that most people have sufficient exposure to the sun in their day-to-day lives to produce enough vitamin D without needing to be exposed to the sun without sunscreen.
The NHS advises that most people can make enough vitamin D by spending short periods of time outside during the summer months, with some skin exposed to the sun, and not allowing the skin to burn.
When exposed to the sun, it is very important to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, including the appropriate use of sunscreens.
Read more about how sunscreen does not stop our bodies producing vitamin D here.
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