☀️ Will blocking UV rays cause vitamin D deficiency?

A smart way to care for both skin health and nutrition

Hello, this is Yonsei Bombit Dermatology.

These days, when you diligently apply sunscreen, one concern often comes to mind.

“Is it okay to block it this much? Won’t I become vitamin D deficient?”

Sun protection is essential for preventing skin cancer, aging, and melasma, but

because vitamin D is produced in the body only when there is sunlight, people often say these two are at odds.

So today, from a dermatologist’s perspective, I’ll explain how to manage sun protection and vitamin D supplementation at the same time.

Sunscreen and vitamin D

🧪 How is vitamin D made?

Vitamin D can also be obtained from food or supplements,

but most of what the body uses is produced in the skin exposed to sunlight.

More specifically, when UVB reaches the skin, cholesterol derivatives are converted into vitamin D.

The problem, however, is that this UVB is the very same ultraviolet light that burns the skin, causes melasma and wrinkles, and in severe cases can lead to skin cancer.

So unrestricted exposure to sunlight can be harmful to the skin.

☀️ Do I really need to use sunscreen?

Sunscreen is a basic necessity for preventing skin aging, melasma, redness, blemishes, and even skin cancer.

Especially if your skin tends to develop pigmentation easily or retains post-acne pigmentation, sun protection is even more important.

And skipping sunscreen altogether because you need vitamin D

is the same as leaving skin damage unchecked.

✅ How to care for vitamin D and sun protection at the same time

1. Expose only part of the arms and legs briefly (excluding the face)

• Expose only wide areas such as the backs of the hands or calves to sunlight for 15 minutes a day

• Use relatively weaker UV hours, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

• Protect the face with sunscreen and encourage vitamin D production through the rest of the body

2. Get sun exposure for only a limited time, 2–3 times a week

• There is no need to do this every day

• UVB is blocked through indoor glass windows, so direct outdoor exposure is necessary

• Short, regular exposure is effective; excessive exposure causes skin damage

3. Use supplements

• Since most adults in Korea have difficulty producing enough vitamin D through sun exposure alone

• using a vitamin D supplement (1,000–2,000 IU/day) in parallel can also be effective

• This is especially recommended for people with sensitive skin, sun allergies, or melasma

🧴 Yonsei Bombit Dermatology’s suggestion

✔ Protect the face, neck, and backs of the hands carefully with sunscreen

✔ Supplement vitamin D with supplements or obtain it in a limited way through short exposure

✔ It is important to design a personalized protection/exposure plan based on your skin type and condition

📌 To conclude

“Sunlight provides vitamin D, but it can be harmful to the skin.”

From a dermatologist’s standpoint, we recommend thorough sun protection and vitamin D supplementation through supplements.

If you absolutely want to produce vitamin D naturally, we recommend synthesizing vitamin D through limited exposure~!

📍 Yonsei Bombit Dermatology

📞 02-837-8275

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