Vitamin D is crucial for our health. It helps regulate essential bodily functions, including immune and cardiovascular.
The skin is among many organs that benefit from optimal vitamin D levels. It is also one of the major sources of vitamin D, synthesizing it when exposed to sunshine. However, skin experts recommend maintaining healthy vitamin D levels through food, dietary supplements, and skincare products to avoid sun damage.
This article explains how vitamin D benefits the skin and recommends the best topical and oral products for a healthy, youthful complexion.
9 Vitamin D Benefits for Skin
Years of research and people’s experiences show vitamin D positively affects the skin in many ways, including the following.
1. Lowers Inflammation
Vitamin D regulates the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, the cells in the epidermis responsible for maintaining the skin’s physical and immune barrier. A deficiency in vitamin D can impair this function and weaken the immune system, triggering skin inflammation.
Increasing vitamin D levels through topical or oral supplementation helps inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines and alleviates symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
2. Reduces Oxidative Stress
Free radicals are unstable molecules generated from metabolic processes and exposure to UV radiation, pollution, and other external aggressors. Their accumulation leads to oxidative stress, which can cause chronic inflammation, damage to skin cell DNA, and premature aging. Studies suggest that vitamin D has antioxidant effects by regulating mitochondrial activity and promoting DNA repair, thereby inhibiting premature aging and other forms of skin damage.
3. Improves Cell Turnover
Vitamin D helps normalize cell turnover – the process of shedding dead skin cells (keratinocytes) and replacing them with new ones. This helps speed up recovery after injury and contributes to a rejuvenated look.
4. Strengthens the Skin Barrier
Research shows vitamin D helps maintain skin barrier function. It increases the levels of structural proteins that build the skin barrier – filaggrin, involucrin, and loricrin. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with several skin conditions resulting from disrupted skin barrier function, including psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
5. Helps Hydrate the Skin
The skin barrier shields us from external factors. By strengthening this protective layer, vitamin D prevents transepidermal water loss and skin conditions resulting from dry skin. Vitamin D also stimulates the production of hyaluronic acid, which helps retain moisture and contributes to a plump, youthful appearance.
6. Protects the Skin from Sun Damage
UV radiation is the main contributor to premature skin aging. Some studies show vitamin D protects the skin against sun-induced damage by reversing oxidative stress, lowering inflammation, and repairing lesions in DNA resulting from photochemical reactions. Both oral administration and topical application of vitamin D are found to decrease inflammation and repair skin cells.
7. May Decrease Breakouts
Acne results from sebum, dead skin cells, and acne-prone bacteria clogging the pores. Since vitamin D has antimicrobial properties, it may be able to combat pathogenic bacteria and reduce inflammation and redness associated with breakouts. There is no conclusive evidence of the nutrient’s effectiveness in treating acne, but many studies show that acne patients often have a vitamin D deficiency.
Note: Learn more about what causes acne and how to avoid triggers.
8. Has Anti-Aging Effects
Sun damage, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation cause premature aging. Vitamin D helps combat these aggressors by promoting the growth of the building blocks of the skin (keratinocytes and collagen-producing fibroblasts), neutralizing free radicals, repairing DNA damage, and strengthening the skin barrier. It is a promising ingredient in anti-aging skincare products and supplements.
9. May Help Prevent Skin Cancer
Vitamin D is seen as a potential aid in the prevention and treatment of skin cancer. Its interaction with nuclear vitamin D receptors modulates gene expression in keratinocytes and melanocytes (cells that produce the pigment melanin), which may inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Addutionally, the positive effect of vitamin D on the immune response could add to its beneficial effect in cancer therapy.
Which Vitamin D Is Best for the Skin?
D3 is the most effective form of vitamin D for skin health. It is synthesized in the skin as cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and later converted into its active form, calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3).
Vitamin D3 in oral supplements has more scientific evidence supporting their role in skin health and other physiological processes. However, topical vitamin D products also show potential for addressing skin concerns, especially psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. In fact, the FDA has approved topical vitamin D for psoriasis.
Our skin experts at Vibrant Skin Bar recommend the following products containing vitamin D to nourish and protect your skin and make it glow.
VIBRANT ELEVATE – Cucumber Photodynamic Toner
Elevate has an innovative formula based on a new trend in cosmetics: microbiome-friendly skin care. It contains Nectaria Lithops, a plant-based ingredient that enhances vitamin D production in skin cells and deeply hydrates the skin, improving tone and texture. Other ingredients include cucumber, matcha green tea, chlorophyll, sodium PCA, Tonka bean prebiotic, and more – helping enhance natural skin barrier function and rejuvenate the skin.
ISDIN SUNISDIN – Dietary Supplements
Sunisdin includes 30 capsules that help the skin fight photoaging. It contains vitAox ULTRA, an advanced combination of vitamins (D, C, and E), antioxidants (green tea leaf and grape seed extracts), and carotenoids, which work synergistically to defend against oxidative stress, improve skin elasticity, and brighten the complexion.
Osmosis Regenerate Supplements
Regenerate supplements are specially formulated with highly bioavailable vitamins D, C, E, and A to address aging signs and detox the liver, contributing to healthier skin, bones, and muscles.
Conclusion
Vitamin D exerts powerful effects on skin health. It regulates the production of primary skin cells and structural proteins, supporting hydration, protection, and rejuvenation of the skin. Incorporating skincare products and supplements that boost and maintain this essential nutrient can help improve your skin's health and overall appearance.
