Sunscreen and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels: Friends or Foes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pooled result · Serum 25(OH)D concentrationResult — go to the resultSMD −2 ng/mL 95% CI −3 to −1Authors' conclusion
The existing evidence supports that sunscreen can impair vitamin D3 synthesis, and as a result decrease serum 25(OH)D levels, but further research is necessary to determine the broader health implications and guide public health recommendations.
Study context
- Population
- Patients exposed to sun; studies from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Web of Science to November 2024
- Participants
- 9,470 patients22 studies
- Comparison
- Sunscreen use vs no sunscreen
- Outcome
- Serum 25(OH)D levels
Methodological detailsPRISMA guidelines, QUADAS-2 quality assessment
- PRISMA guidelines
- QUADAS-2 quality assessment
Pooled result
Serum 25(OH)D concentration
SMD
−2 ng/mL
95% CI −3 to −1
Sunscreenvs No sunscreen
SMD −2 ng/mL (95% CI −3 to −1)
As reported in the abstract
- Heterogeneity I-square
- 37%, P = .15
Further pooled results
Qualitative synthesis
- In vitro studies consistently showed sunscreen blocks UV-B radiation, crucial for vitamin D3 production
- Population-based studies reported mixed findings: some linked sunscreen to lower 25(OH)D, particularly with limited sun exposure; others no significant impact
Original publication
Sunscreen and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels: Friends or Foes? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Endocr Pract. Published 15 April 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →