Many women wear a daily SPF moisturiser or sun block during the summer - the strong sun can dry, damage and age skin if it isn't protected.
But for some, an obsession with shielding their skin all year round may be prematurely ageing it - and also making them ill.
The sun’s ultra violet (UV) rays are an important source of Vitamin D. These rays are absorbed by the skin and form the building blocks the
body needs to manufacture Vitamin D. Sunscreens stop this absorption process as they filter the all-important UV elements.
It isn't just SPF moisturisers and sunscreens that block UV, many leading brands of anti-ageing moisturisers also contain a sunscreen chemical.
Why do we need Vitamin D? Vitamin D boosts the immune system and enables it to function properly. In the Winter months Vitamin D deficiency is very common as people spend more time indoors. This problem is compounded by the prevalence of cold and flu bugs at this time of year, which increases the chance of illness that much more.
Vitamin D also has tangible benefits for the skin and especially so for psoriasis sufferers. It is a powerful antioxidant so can play a role in preventing premature ageing and damage to the skin structure.
Slapping on an SPF daily may not therefore be as good for your skin health as we are led to believe - and particularly if you are using a sunscreen containing MethylParaben.
A study in Japan that I blogged about in January last year, suggested that MethylParaben, when subjected to UV light, causes free radical damage in the skin.
Sunscreens (as opposed to natural sun blocks) use chemicals to absorb the UV rays - some of these synthetic ingredients are believed to have toxic or carcinogenic effects and others are bad skin irritants. During the Summer the benefits of sun protection may well outweigh the risks, but during the Winter that may not be the case.
What constitutes a safe level of sun exposure?Sun exposure does need to be carefully limited as too much can damage the skin and, in extreme cases, cause skin cancer. So, it's a case of striking a finely tuned balance. Don't go for the burn just to get your Vitamin D fix!
Rosacea sufferers should be cautious as sunlight is a trigger of the condition. Vitamin D supplements may be the better way to go for these skin allergy sufferers.
It is thought just 5-10 minutes of daily sun exposure on unprotected skin on the face, hands and arms is sufficient for the body to produce the level of Vitamin D it requires.
In the Summer months it is wise to get this exposure early in the morning or evening and stay in the shade in the middle of the day (from 12-3pm) as this is when the sun's rays are at their strongest.
Is the sun our only source of Vitamin D?Yes...and no! Unfortunately there are very few foods rich in Vitamin D (oily fish and egg yolks are the most notable sources). And no food provides enough to boost the immune system to a sufficient level to protect against viruses.
There are some Vitamin D supplements available which can be useful for some people as an immune booster during the Winter. They're available in most good health food shops and you should seek advise on the right dosage for you.
