Vitamin D Deficiency: a Sunscreen Controversy
03 Sep 2008 ~ Categories: blog • face • products
Recently, our very own IO Esthetician, Cat Wargo, heard the following from a client:
“I don’t wear sunscreen every day. I heard that sunscreen makes it impossible to get vitamin D from sunshine, and that Americans are too obsessed with sunscreen these days.”
This clearly got Cat thinking since she/we recommend daily use of sunscreen. So, she checked out the scientific credibility of this claim.
It seems to have started with Dr. Michael Holick, a professor at Boston University and a leading researcher in the area of vitamin D synthesis and deficiency. His views and opinions were presented on MSNBC in 2004. He contends that Americans are too hyper about their sunscreen application and that the body needs sunshine exposure to get vitamin D, since food is generally a very poor source. It should also be noted that he has accepted funding from the indoor tanning industry.
In the 1930s, when rickets (a bone disease caused by vitamin D deficiency) was a problem for the American population, the dairy industry started to fortify milk with vitamin D, and that largely eradicated the problem. Unfortunately, now even common vitamin D-fortified milk does not contain the necessary amount (1000 IU per day for adults up to age 70) due to the decline in dairy quality over the years.
BOTTOM LINE
People who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency: anyone who goes to work and comes home when it’s dark outside and does not spend any time whatsoever outdoors. In which case, potential vitamin D deficiency is the least of their worries, it would seem.
Also at risk (geographically): people who live anywhere in or above the latitude of Boston. In the winter, there’s not enough sunlight there to synthesize vitamin D, whether the person is wearing sunscreen or not.
SOLUTION
1 dose/day of Arctic Cod Liver Oil fortified with vitamin D. Otherwise, exposure to hands, arms, and legs to sunshine for 5-15 minutes, twice a week is enough to provide proper vitamin D levels for humans.
So, wear your sunscreen to prevent wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is no excuse in my book.
My favorite sunscreen for the face is Arcona’s mineral makeup powder called Sunsations. Pick the color that matches your skin tone. I also keep a small, 2 ounce bottle of Malin + Goetz Sunscreen handy in my purse.
Industrial-sized, bulky tubes of sunscreen are not my cup of tea. I never finish them before they have collected unwelcome sand and dirt in the cap or have begun to smell “off”. Plus, I don’t like to be wasteful. Instead, I choose sunscreen that’s high-quality, easy to use/carry and comes in a smaller container, so I use what I buy.
Enjoy the sun and protect your beautiful skin,
Amy
05 Sep 2008
louisa page
Hi Amy, good article, thank you. I love this section of IO and I miss all the wonderful treatments you offer. Any plans to open a sister IO in London? :) Living in England = major vitamin D deficiency. We haven’t had summer this year.
All the best.
16 Sep 2008
Leslie
From Boston: Yes, I’m already feeling the difference! I’ll be staying on top of my Vita D’s while I’m out here. Thanks for this piece, Amy.