VITAMIN D: WHY YOUR SKIN CRAVES DAILY SUNSHINE (WITHOUT SUNSCREEN!) - FRESH DISCOVERIES IN SKINCARE SCIENCE AND SUN EXPOSURE

I never thought I’d be sharing this personal story:I grapple with a sense of guilt over the evolution of my freckles into age spots after hitting fifty. Back in my youth the sunscreen of choice to protect you from the uv sun rays was Piz Buin or Hawaiian Tropic SPF 2.

An Explosion Of Treatments

Much has changed since then - there has been an explosion of skincare treatments correcting our past sun exposure and uv sun ray  mistakes and alleviating our guilt:

• Retinol
• Vitamin C
• Botox Lasers 
• Skin Peels 

They have all played a role in this skin transformation.

Sun And Vitamins

In light of recent research, it might seem like a shift in perspective, but thebenefits of vitamin D from the sun are truly remarkable.

Sunlight positively impacts our bones, mental health, skin, eyesight, blood pressure, immunity, and circadian rhythm, all of which contribute to heart and brain health as well as sleep quality.

Vitamin D  plays a crucial role in lowering our risk for certain cancers, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, macular degeneration, and myopia.

For me, it's an exciting time. Despite seeming contradictory, I've always advocated for brief periods ofsunscreen-free sun exposure during the day. This isn't to downplay the importance of daily sunscreen;protecting our skin from skin cancer is paramount. I can’t stress enough the importance of protecting skin daily with a moisturiser, primer, or foundation (better yet, all three) because of the insidious cumulative damage that comes from unprotected sun exposure.

Staying Informed

I always take things slowly. I stay informed and watch as new things come onto the market.

Though, just because I’ve studied what’s best, doesn't mean I always stay on the straight and narrow.

I don’t reapply my sunscreen every two hours in the UK or probably wear enough at all times. I sometimes apply a chemical sunscreen even though I hate the way they absorb into the bloodstream.  I've had other toxins too - I colour my hair, I have the occasional botox. 

But now I feel comforted in the news that researchers are suggesting we can go sunscreen freefor short bursts of the day.The caveat being - only for a short burst before the skin starts to turn red and burns.

Welcome To The Era Of Vitamin D

More than50% of us are deficient in this essential vitamin, and if you have brown or black skin, the risk of vitamin D deficiency is even higher. This is because melanin, the pigment responsible for darker skin colour, is a better blocker of UVB rays. As a result, individuals with darker skin require longer sun exposure to produce sufficient vitamin D in their skin.

What’s held my interest for some time now, is the supplement and herbalism industry. I’ve been sampling adaptogens, NAD and herbal and hair remedies and have discovered some interesting facts around NAD supplementation that some companies don’t share.

I discovered some new skincare vitamin D enhancing ingredients while we formulate a new GFYS sunscreen. 

 And I’m very happy to be able to stock the new Esse Pro D sun serum. SHOP HERE

How Does The Esse Pro-Sun D Serum Work?

Here's the essence of it: it's a sun-activated serum containing Pro-vitamin D that you apply once daily or before sun exposure. You allow yourself at least 5 minutes of direct sun exposure after applying the serum and refrain from applying any other products until your sun exposure is complete. This serum accelerates your skin's vitamin D production, reducing the time needed in the sun.

How to Safely Soak Up Vitamin D From The Sun

If you're wondering how much sun exposure is safe, look no further than the  Dminder app.

Dminder is a fantastic app that not only tells you thesafest time to expose your skin to the sun but alsotracks the amount of vitamin D you've generated. Research from  Manchester University suggests that just 10-15 minutes of daily sun exposure during spring and summer in the UK could be sufficient to avoid year-round deficiency.

Moreover, studies indicate that dietary vitamin D supplements often don't reach the skin effectively. It's also important to note that excessive oral vitamin D supplementation can lead to issues with calcium stores in the body.Dminder helps take the guesswork out of sun exposure, ensuring you get the right amount of vitamin D safely.

It’s All About Balance.

Achieving optimal vitamin D levels requires a balanced approach to sun exposure. While we benefit from sunlight for vitamin D production and overall health, it's crucial to avoid sunburn. The key is finding the right balance and practising safe sun habits. 

Recent research encourages incorporating a moderate amount of unprotected sun exposure into our daily routine, acknowledging that sun exposure risks can never be entirely eliminated.

We answered some of your frequently asked questions HERE.