There’s a concerning trend on social media where influencers are promoting the avoidance of sunscreen citing unfounded claims about sunscreen chemicals causing cancer or potentially leading to Vitamin D deficiencies. Let’s unpack this!

Vitamin D is a powerhouse nutrient essential for maintaining bone strength, bolstering the immune system, and playing a role in mood regulation and depression prevention.

The best ways to ensure adequate vitamin D levels include:

• basking in natural sunlight (which triggers vitamin D production in the skin)
• consuming vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish, egg yolks
• supplementation (especially during the darker months or for those with specific dietary needs)

To meet the daily vitamin D requirements through sun exposure, the amount of time needed can vary based on several factors, including the time of day, skin pigmentation, geographic location, and current UV index. If you are out in the sun during peak hours, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., about 10-15 minutes of sun exposure on bare skin is all that is needed. On cloudy days this number increases to 20-30 minutes. Folks with darker skin may require more time spent in the sun. It is recommended to expose a substantial amount of skin (like arms and legs) without sunscreen for this short period before using sun protection.

Latitude significantly impacts the synthesis of vitamin D from sun exposure. The farther you are from the equator, the less direct the sun’s UV rays are, which can decrease the efficiency of vitamin D production in the skin. In B.C., the UV radiation is generally weaker from October to March due to the angle of the sun. During this time, it is more challenging to produce the necessary vitamin D from sunlight alone so supplementation may be necessary.

It is important to balance the need for vitamin D with the risk of damage from UV rays. Too much exposure to UV rays can lead to skin cancer, premature aging, eye damage and even immune system suppression. It’s important to take protective measures, such as using mineral based sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, wearing protective clothing, and seeking shade during peak sun hours to minimize these risks.

Enjoying the sun safely is key to maintaining good health while benefiting from natural sunlight, your skin deserves protection!