Hero Skincare Ingredient: Vitamin D
When you think about vitamin D, calcium and strong bones probably come to mind, but vitamin D also plays a significant role in skin health.
Due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties, this hero ingredient helps combat acne, wrinkles, and other signs of aging by fighting off free radicals, which cause damage to the skin over time.
Types of Vitamin D
There are several types of vitamin D. Vitamins D2 and D3 are the most beneficial for the skin. Vitamin D3 forms when our skin is exposed to sunlight, and D2 is found in plants and fungi that are exposed to sunlight.
Calcitriol is the active form of vitamin D. It does not exist in foods, but your body can make it, provided it receives an adequate supply of vitamin D2 or D3. Vitamin D production is activated by exposure to sunlight, which is why it is commonly referred to as the ‘Sunshine Vitamin.’
Vitamin D Deficiency
The main cause of vitamin D deficiency is lack of exposure to sunlight. Getting enough sunlight can be tricky, as too much exposure can cause premature aging, which is why sunscreen, while important, has become a hindrance in many ways to vitamin D production.
If you are spending more than 15-20 minutes outside in sunny climates or direct sunlight, sunscreen is necessary, but if you are traveling to and from an office job or spend most of your day indoors, the few minutes of sunlight that you absorb is beneficial and you do not need to use sunscreen in these instances.
The color of your skin also affects vitamin D production. People with darker skin have a harder time getting vitamin D through direct sunlight because they have more melanin (a pigment in the skin that blocks sun) than those with lighter complexions.
Sources of Vitamin D
To help avoid vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D3 supplement capsules are recommended. These capsules promote skin health, as well as bone, breast, prostate, cardiovascular, colon, and immune health.
You can also use topical products to increase your Vitamin D through skin absorption. Our favorite product is the Active D Serum from Protective Nourishment. Active D Serum contains D Boldine and green tea extract to smooth and tighten the complexion. When used with the Active A Serum Concentrate, it acts as a serum booster. The Active D Serum Concentrate can only be ‘activated’ when applied on top of Active A Serum Concentrate. It encourages healthier skin due to the counter-oxidant and cell-protective agents.
