Vitamin D: What It Does & What Happens If You’re Deficient

Want healthy, glowy and supple skin? Then let’s talk about vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient and is required for many biological processes, including sustaining the health of our skin! In this blog post we’ll discuss what Vitamin D does and what to do if you’re deficient (which 57% of the population are!)

What does Vitamin D do?

Vitamin D is mainly known for bone formation, however it is connected with the proper function of nearly every tissue in our bodies including brain, heart, muscles, immune system and skin. Even though it is an essential vitamin it’s actually one of the most common deficiencies in the UK with 57% of adults having below optimal levels!


Sources of Vitamin D

There are 3 known sources of vitamin D:

Sunlight - The most well-known source of vitamin D. Research has shown that wearing SPF does not hinder its absorbtion, so you can protect your skin from UV damage and absorb vitamin D at the same time, getting outside for a morning walk is a great way to boost your levels!

Diet - There are only a few natural sources of vitamin D including cod liver oil, cheese, egg yolk, mackerel, salmon, tuna fish, and beef liver. It can be tricky to gain the required intake from diet alone, especially for those on vegetarian and vegan diets, so some foods are fortified with Vitamin D such as orange juice, milk, yogurt, and cereal.

Vitamin D supplements - Vitamin D is available in 2 distinct forms, Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), however the major preparations of vitamin D for prescription are in the form of vitamin D2.

From late March until the end of September, most people in the UK should be able to make ample vitamin D from daily skin exposure to sunlight. However, in the autumn and winter, when exposure to radiant sunshine is limited, or for those who spend a lot of time indoors, it may be worth boosting vitamin D levels through dietary or supplement intake.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) suggest for all adults in the UK to consider regular supplementation of vitamin D, particularly in autumn and winter (NICE Guidance) a private blood test can determine whether you are deficient which we can facilitate in our clinics.

Vitamin D & The Skin

So why does this matter for our skin? Vitamin D is often called the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because the skin can photosynthesise it when exposed to sunlight, it acts as an antioxidant, which means that it's able to help prevent signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles by fighting off free-radicals which contribute to the general deterioration of our skin. It also boosts collagen, an essential protein for the health and function of skin. A lack of vitamin D could mean our wrinkles can appear much deeper and more visible and we can develop new wrinkles at a much quicker rate.

Ongoing research highlights a link between deficiencies and acne as the essential nutrient can have an impact on immunity (the bodies ability to heal), hormone function, skin barrier function and also have an anti-inflammatory effect. There may also be a link with inflammatory skin conditions or conditions which affect the skin barrier.

If you’re looking for ‘bright’ and ‘glowy’ skin, then you may also want to consider focusing on your vitamin D as a deficiency can lead to duller complexions. Without optimal levels, your skin may appear slightly grey, not as plump or supple as usual, and you may also have darker under eye circles as vitamin D aids skin cells to regenerate properly and remain healthy.

So say hello to healthy, glowing skin with Vitamin D! By harnessing the power of this sunshine vitamin, you can promote skin cell growth, reduce inflammation, boost collagen production, and protect your skin from oxidative stress and premature aging. Whether through safe sunlight exposure, dietary sources, or supplementation, incorporating Vitamin D into your daily routine can help you achieve radiant and youthful-looking skin and guard against certain skin issues. So go ahead, soak up some sun (safely), and let your skin bask in the glow of Vitamin D!

If you’d like to book a 1 to 1 consultation either in clinic or online, to discuss treating your skin holistically then you can book here.

Professional, Medical Aesthetic Treatments & Skincare Therapies at The Good Skin Guru Aesthetics Clinics, located in Manchester & Cumbria