2009/06/04 by Mary Norval, Hans Christian Wulf · 1 citation
Chemistry · Environmental Science · Medicine · #Biology #Chemistry #Climate Change and Health Impacts #Dermatology #Endocrinology #Environmental health #Mechanism (biology) #Medicine #Physics #Production (economics) #Skin Protection and Aging #Sun exposure #Sun protection #Sunlight #Toxicology #Ultraviolet radiation #Vitamin #Vitamin D Research Studies #Vitamin D and neurology
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2009.09332.x
openalex publication_date 2009/06/04 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Exposure to ultraviolet B radiation in sunlight provides the mechanism for more than 90% of the vitamin D production in most individuals. Concern has been expressed in recent years that the widespread use of sunscreens, particularly those with high sun protection factors, may lead to a significant decrease in solar-induced previtamin D(3) in the skin, resulting in a vitamin D level which is considered insufficient for protection against a wide range of diseases. In this article the published evidence to support and to question this view is presented. It is concluded that, although sunscreens can significantly reduce the production of vitamin D under very strictly controlled conditions, their normal usage does not generally result in vitamin D insufficiency.