4 Facts About Sunscreen and Vitamin D

Sunscreen technically blocks UVB rays, which your skin uses to make vitamin D. But the practical effect on vitamin D levels is small for most people.

You would need to apply sunscreen perfectly and completely to block all UVB exposure. Nobody does that—missed spots, sweat, and forgetting to reapply all let some UVB through.

Studies show that regular sunscreen users generally maintain adequate vitamin D levels. The trade-off is not even close: skin cancer is a real risk, while vitamin D deficiency is easy to fix.

Stop worrying about this. Wear sunscreen, and take a vitamin D supplement if you are concerned. The sun is not a reliable vitamin D source, and the amount of exposure needed for vitamin D is about the same that causes sunburn.