The benefits of sunlight and how to practice safe sun exposure this summer

As with most things in life, moderation is key. While sunlight has become increasingly synonymous with UV exposure, which in turn is linked to accelerated skin ageing and increased risks of various skin cancers, it’s important to remember that safe sun exposure is not only possible, but that it can also bring a range of health benefits.

Let’s discuss the benefits of sunlight and how to practice safe sun exposure this summer.

Benefits of sunlight:

· Promotes our body’s photosynthesis of Vitamin D

· Lowers blood pressure and improves cardiovascular health

· Improves mood

· Improves sleep quality and duration of sleep by increasing melatonin levels (particularly for morning sun exposure)

While all these benefits are desirable, the benefits of Vitamin D in particular are often underestimated. Most of the vitamin D found in our body is produced by the sun, rather than obtained through dietary supplementation. Unfortunately, regular sun exposure has become less routine due to our modern lifestyles, which has led to increased Vitamin D deficiency rates around the world. In the UK, it is estimated that 1 in 5 adults is Vitamin D deficient. This is concerning given the critical role vitamin D plays in maintaining the health and proper functioning of our bodies.

Benefits of Vitamin D:

Despite its name, Vitamin D is a hormone as it provides multiple regulatory functions with respect to cell and organ activity. One if its main functions is to regulate the body’s absorption of calcium and phosphate, two important nutrients that are required for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles. Improper calcium absorption from food results in the body leeching calcium from our bones, which can lead to bone softening (also known as osteomalacia) as well as other musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoporosis and even multiple sclerosis. Vitamin D has also been shown to support the immune system, while Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to a range of diseases, including various forms of cancer and cognitive diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

How to practice safe sun exposure:

· Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure per day

· If possible, seek morning or late afternoon sun and limit exposure between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest

· Regular use of sunscreen and SPF products does not reduce the benefits of sun exposure, including Vitamin D synthesis, so feel free to apply your SPF as usual, especially if you plan on being outdoors for more than 30 minutes or during peak hours

Sun Safe Skincare

Dermatologists still recommend wearing a product with SPF every day and reapplying regularly for those spending significant time outdoors. Our Rejuvenating SPF 25 Day Cream is the perfect summer pairing thanks to the combination of CBD, CBG and sun filters which complement each other to provide robust protection against the ageing effects of UV rays. The sun filters act as a shield that block both UVA and UVB rays, while our proprietary blend of CBD and CBG reduces the damage caused by any UV rays that escape. The result? A daily-use formula that can play both offence and defence against UV rays and inflammation, two leading causes of skin ageing.