Dr Lalitha Badul
Vitamin D is essential for healthy-looking skin. Vitamin D contributes towards skin cell growth, repair and metabolism. It also destroys free radicals that are responsible for premature ageing.
Sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D. UVB rays stimulate the production of vitamin D3 in the epidermis, it is actually more like a hormone than a vitamin, which is a substance that is required from our diets.
Keratinocytes in the epidermis possess enzymes that locally convert vitamin D into the form that regulates epidermal proliferation and differentiation.
Vitamin D exhibits sun protective effects and is known to reduce inflammation and involved in wound healing. Foods that provide vitamin D include fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and salmon. Foods fortified with vitamin D, like some dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, and cereals, cheese and egg yolks.
