The effect of sunscreen on vitamin D: a review
Abstract
Background Sunscreen use can prevent skin cancer, but there are concerns that it may increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Objectives We aimed to review the literature to investigate associations between sunscreen use and vitamin D 3 or 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration. Methods We systematically reviewed the literature following the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. We identified manuscripts published in English between 1970 and 21 November 2017. Eligible studies were experimental [using an artificial ultraviolet radiation (UVR) source], field trials or observational studies. The results of each of the experimental studies and field trials are described in detail. Two authors extracted information from observational studies, and applied quality scoring criteria that were developed specifically for this question. These have been synthesized qualitatively. Results We included four experimental studies, three field trials (two were randomized controlled trials) and 69 observational studies. In the experimental studies sunscreen use considerably abrogated the vitamin D 3 or 25(OH)D production induced by exposure to artificially generated UVR. The randomized controlled field trials found no effect of daily sunscreen application, but the sunscreens used had moderate protection [sun protection factor SPF) ~16]. The observational studies mostly found no association or that self-reported sunscreen use was associated with higher…
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Sunscreens can induce side effects such as irritation, allergy and phototoxic reactions, affect the synthesis of vitamin D, generate reactive oxygen species and act as photosensitizers.
“Sunscreens can induce side effects such as irritation, allergy and phototoxic reactions, affect the synthesis of vitamin D, generate reactive oxygen species and act as photosensitizers (DiNardo and Downs 2018;Ngoc et al. 2019;Neale et al. 2019;Passeron et al. 2019;Narla and Lim 2020;Suh et al. 2020).”
From Skin protection from solar ultraviolet radiation using natural compounds: a review (2024) · cites this paper as Neale et al. 2019
Cites
Liberati, A., Altman, D. G., Tetzlaff, J., Mulrow, C., Gøtzsche, P. C., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Clarke, M., Devereaux, P. J., Kleijnen, J., & Moher, D. (2009) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00136 · Cited by 10,349 · see citing works
Buller, D. B., Cokkinides, V., Hall, H. I., Hartman, A. M., Saraiya, M., Miller, E., Paddock, L., & Glanz, K. (2011) · Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2011.05.033 · Cited by 315 · see citing works
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Sunscreen photoprotection and vitamin D status
Passeron, T., Bouillon, R., Callender, V., Cestari, T., Diepgen, T. L., Green, A. C., van der Pols, J. C., Bernard, B. A., Ly, F., Bernerd, F., et al. (2019) · British Journal of Dermatology · doi:10.1111/bjd.17992 · Cited by 200 · see citing works
Skin protection from solar ultraviolet radiation using natural compounds: a review
Verma, A., Zanoletti, A., Kareem, K. Y., Adelodun, B., Kumar, P., Ajibade, F. O., Silva, L. F. O., Phillips, A. J., Kartheeswaran, T., Bontempi, E., et al. (2024) · Environmental Chemistry Letters · doi:10.1007/s10311-023-01649-4 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Photoprotection of the future: Challenges and opportunities
Krutmann, J., Passeron, T., Gilaberte, Y., Granger, C., Leone, G., Narda, M., Schalka, S., Trullas, C., Masson, P., & Lim, H. W. (2020) · Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology · doi:10.1111/jdv.16030 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Grandi, C., & D’Ovidio, M. C. (2020) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph17041357 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Photoprotection in skin of color
Seck, S., Hamad, J., Schalka, S., & Lim, H. W. (2022) · Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences · doi:10.1007/s43630-022-00314-z · Cited by 20 · see citing works
- Authors
- Neale, R. E., Khan, S. R., Lucas, R. M., Waterhouse, M., Whiteman, D. C., & Olsen, C. M.
- Affiliations
- Population Health Department QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute 300 Herston Rd Herston QLD 4006 Australia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute (AU)
- Australian National University (AU)
- Venue
- British Journal of Dermatology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2019-07-09
- Volume
- 181
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 907-915
- ISSN
- 0007-0963 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2133
- OpenAlex
- W2929187945
- Cited by
- 115
- References
- 2
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 19 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 1
- FWCI
- 2.20
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- British Journal of Dermatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- QUT ePrints (Queensland University of Technology) (submittedVersion)
- ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Health and Medical Research Council
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pathology and Forensic Medicine › Vitamin D Research Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
- Keywords
- sunscreen, vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer prevention, sun protection factor, artificial ultraviolet radiation, observational studies, field trials
- MeSH terms
- Administration, Cutaneous, Humans, Skin, Skin Neoplasms, Sunlight, Sunscreening Agents, Ultraviolet Rays, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Risk Assessment, Self Report, Sun Protection Factor, Observational Studies as Topic
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