UVB is the specific wavelength that when it is absorbed by the skin can produce Vitamin D and for this reason you may think if you use high SPF products will block the production of Vitamin D.
High-SPF sunscreens are designed to filter out most of the sun's UVB radiation, since UVB damage is the major cause of sunburn and can lead to skin cancers. Nonetheless, clinical studies have never found that everyday sunscreen use leads to vitamin D insufficiency.
In fact, the prevailing studies show that people who use sunscreen daily can maintain their vitamin D levels. At the same time there is overwhelming evidence for the multiple benefits of sun protection.
Controlled studies have shown that regular use of an SPF 15 or higher broad-spectrum sunscreen reduces your chances of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent, melanoma by 50 percent and premature skin aging by 24 percent.
If there is still a concern about producing sufficient Vitamin D then you can acquire vitamin D from a combination of diet and supplements. Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna are especially good sources. Small amounts are also present in egg yolks, beef liver and cheese. And many common foods such as milk and orange juice are fortified with vitamin D. (Read labels, because foods are fortified only when they say they are.)
It is possible, though not easy, to mix and match these foods to get the daily allowance of 600 International Units (IU) recommended by the Institute of Medicine and The Skin Cancer Foundation for the average person between the ages of 1 and 70. (400 IU is recommended for infants under age 1 and 800 IU is recommended for everyone over age 70.)
