Research published in the British Journal of Dermatology has suggested that sunscreen application with a high ultraviolet (UV) index can still allow for vitamin D synthesis, without the risk of sunburn.
Researchers observed the impact of sunscreens on vitamin D status for healthy Polish volunteers during a one‐week sun holiday in Tenerife with cloudless weather.
There were two groups consisting of 20 participants, which were given one of two formulations containing SPF, one with a high UVA-protection factor and one with a low. Participants applied in the morning, mid‐day and in the afternoon. Comparisons were also made with discretionary sunscreen use (n=22) and non-holiday groups (n=17).
The major circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, was assessed by high‐performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
Results indicated that the sunscreens equally inhibited sunburn but significantly more 25-hydroxyvitamin D synthesis occurred with a high UVA‐PF (broad‐spectrum) sunscreen when compared with a low UVA‐PF sunscreen for a given SPF.
Authors concluded, “Sunscreens may be used to prevent sunburn yet allow vitamin D synthesis. A high UVA‐PF sunscreen enables significantly higher vitamin D synthesis than a low UVA‐PF sunscreen because the former, by default, transmits more UVB than the latter.”
