From July onwards, it's all about sunshine! Our skin produces more vitamin D in the warmer months, but here too, too much of a good thing can be harmful. We therefore shed light on the good and not so good sides of sunlight.

UV, SPF & Co.

According to the recommendation of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), the face, hands and parts of the arms and legs should be exposed to the sun uncovered for 5 to 25 minutes up to three days a week - depending on skin type and season. The reason is simple: the vital vitamin D is primarily produced by the human organism through exposure to UV light. This is no reason to ignore sunscreen: Even when wearing sunscreen, enough light penetrates the skin to produce the vitamin.

Fair skin types in particular are well advised to use the right sunscreen in the summer months. The risk of sunburn increases with the UV index, which indicates the intensity of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. The figures range from 0 (no measures required) to 13 (protective measures are urgently required, even in the shade). Current information always refers to the daily maximum value around midday and can be viewed, for example, on the website of the German Weather Service or your own weather app.

Sun creams with a high sun protection factor (SPF) are therefore a must for everyone, not just for children in the playground or beach vacationers on the Mediterranean. We explain more about skin types and SPF in the article "Radiant summer skin".

Vitamin D: the "sun vitamin"

Before you raid the sweets shelves when shopping, it's worth taking a look at our online store. High-quality nutritional supplements such as Vitamin D Compact, Vitamin D3 Compact or Osteomin® help to cover your daily requirement of this essential vital substance. Animal-free, organic, logical.

Sources:

1.  German Weather Service: UV Hazard Index

2. German Nutrition Society: Questions and answers on vitamin D