From Anirva, the maker of Dermal Radiance. This article is general information, not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Vitamin D is often called the sunshine vitamin, because skin makes it when sunlight reaches it. The link runs both ways. Skin makes vitamin D, and skin cells also use it. Here we look at what vitamin D3 is and how it may work in skin, the human studies, how much is in Dermal Radiance, food sources and safety.
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- Skin makes vitamin D3, and skin cells also use it. Cells in the outer skin layer can turn vitamin D into its active form [2].
- Vitamin D helps guide how skin cells grow and mature. This includes the forming of the skin barrier [2][7]. In Europe, labels may say that vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division [3].
- Vitamin D supports the natural defenses of the skin. Skin cells use it to switch on a natural antimicrobial protein [2].
- In a study of 83 women, higher blood vitamin D went with higher skin moisture readings [5].
- Dermal Radiance contains 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of vitamin D3. That is 125% of the Daily Value [6].
What is vitamin D3?
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. It helps the body absorb calcium and keep bones strong. It also plays a part in cell growth, immune function and the control of inflammation [1].
Vitamin D3, also called cholecalciferol, is the form that skin makes when UVB light reaches it [1]. Supplements contain vitamin D2 or vitamin D3. Both raise vitamin D in the blood, and vitamin D3 raises it more and keeps it up longer [1].
Season, cloud cover, sunscreen, darker skin and age all lower the amount of vitamin D that skin makes [1]. In US surveys from 2011 to 2014, 18% of people were at risk of an inadequate vitamin D level [1].
How might vitamin D work in skin?
Skin activates its own vitamin D
Skin cells are the main source of vitamin D for the body [7]. Cells in the epidermis, the outer skin layer, also have enzymes that convert vitamin D into its active form. They also carry the vitamin D receptor, a protein that switches genes on and off [2].
Growth and renewal of skin cells (cell and animal studies)
Active vitamin D helps control how skin cells multiply and mature. This includes the forming of the skin barrier, the outer layer that holds water in [2][7]. In Europe, labels may say that vitamin D has a role in the process of cell division [3].
Skin defenses
Skin cells make cathelicidin, a natural antimicrobial protein, and vitamin D helps switch it on. The evidence comes from cell studies and a study of human skin [2]. In Europe, labels may also say that vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system [3].
Response to UV light (cell and animal studies)
In studies of skin cells and mice, active vitamin D applied before or after UV light was followed by less DNA damage and less redness [2].
What does the research show?
The research on vitamin D by mouth and skin is still growing. Two human studies are described below.
A 2017 trial of vitamin D3 after UV light
In 2017, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 20 healthy adults. A small patch of skin was exposed to enough UV light to cause redness. One hour later, each person took a single large dose of vitamin D3 or a placebo [4].
After 48 hours, two markers of inflammation in the skin were lower in people who took 200,000 IU than in the placebo group. People whose blood vitamin D rose the most also had less lasting redness [4].
Vitamin D is not a sunscreen. Experts suggest daily sunscreen and shade for sun care.
A 2012 study of blood vitamin D and skin moisture
In 2012, a researcher measured blood vitamin D and skin moisture in 83 women. Skin moisture readings rose with vitamin D status. The average reading was 7.9 in women with the lowest levels, 10.7 in the middle group and 13.0 in women with sufficient levels [5].
In a second part of the study, 61 people with lower vitamin D levels used a cream with vitamin D3 twice a day for three weeks. Their skin moisture readings rose (cream study). A Johnson & Johnson research center paid for the work [5].
Study summary
| Study | People | Amount | Length | Main result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scott et al., 2017 [4] | 20 healthy adults | One dose of 200,000 IU by mouth | 48 hours | Lower inflammation markers in skin after UV |
| Russell, 2012 [5] | 83 women | None; blood level measured | One visit | Higher blood vitamin D went with higher skin moisture |
How much vitamin D3 is in Dermal Radiance compared with the studies?
| Source | Vitamin D | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dermal Radiance (2 capsules) | 25 mcg (1,000 IU) a day | 125% of the Daily Value, from the label [6] |
| Adult daily need | 15 mcg (600 IU); 20 mcg (800 IU) after age 70 | [1] |
| Average intake from food, US adults | 4.2 mcg to 5.1 mcg (168 to 204 IU) a day | [1] |
| 2017 trial | One dose of 200,000 IU | A one-time research dose [4] |
Dermal Radiance provides 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of vitamin D3 a day. This covers the adult daily need, and it is well above the average intake from food [1].
The 2017 trial used a one-time research dose that is far above any daily supplement amount. The 2012 study measured blood levels and did not test a supplement. For these reasons, their results do not describe Dermal Radiance.
Food sources of vitamin D
Fatty fish and fortified foods supply the most vitamin D [1]:
- Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon: 34.0 mcg (1,360 IU)
- Trout, 3 ounces: 16.2 mcg (645 IU)
- Salmon, 3 ounces: 14.2 mcg (570 IU)
- Mushrooms exposed to UV light, half a cup: 9.2 mcg (366 IU)
- Fortified milk, 1 cup: 2.9 mcg (120 IU)
Fat in a meal helps the body absorb vitamin D [1].
What the research does not show yet
- We found no trial of daily vitamin D at supplement amounts that measured skin outcomes in healthy adults.
- The 2012 study shows a link between blood vitamin D and skin moisture. It does not show that a supplement changes skin moisture [5].
- Much of what is known about vitamin D in skin comes from cell and animal studies [2].
- We found no study of vitamin D combined with the other Dermal Radiance ingredients.
Safety and interactions
The upper limit for adults is 100 mcg (4,000 IU) a day [1]. Dermal Radiance has 25 mcg (1,000 IU) [6].
Very high intakes over time can raise calcium in the blood. Signs include nausea, muscle weakness and kidney stones [1].
Some medicines interact with vitamin D. They include orlistat, statins, steroids and thiazide diuretics, which are also called water pills [1].
- Take it with a meal. Fat in the meal helps the body absorb vitamin D [1].
- Add up your sources. Many multivitamins and calcium supplements also contain vitamin D.
- If you take a statin, a steroid, a water pill or orlistat, ask your doctor or pharmacist before you add vitamin D [1].
Vitamin D3 is one part of Dermal Radiance
Dermal Radiance is a daily two-capsule supplement with 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts. They were chosen to support healthy collagen, skin firmness and elasticity, and radiance. Vitamin D3 is one of them.
Dermal Radiance has not been clinically tested as a finished product. For this reason, we cannot say how its ingredients work together. The studies in this article looked at vitamin D by itself.
If you take Dermal Radiance, you are not relying on vitamin D3 alone. It is one of 20 ingredients in each serving. Every ingredient and amount is listed on the label [6].
A daily skin supplement with 20 ingredients
Vitamin D3 is one of 20 vitamins, minerals and plant extracts in Dermal Radiance, each listed with its amount on the label. Two capsules a day with a meal.
See the full ingredient listIf you are deciding
Skin both makes and uses vitamin D, and the average adult gets little of it from food [1][2]. A supplement gives a steady daily amount in every season. If you would like to try Dermal Radiance, the directions are two capsules a day with a meal [6].
The short version
Vitamin D3 is the form of vitamin D that skin makes from sunlight. Skin cells also activate vitamin D, and they use it to guide cell growth and to support skin defenses. In one study, women with higher blood vitamin D had higher skin moisture readings. Dermal Radiance provides 25 mcg (1,000 IU) of vitamin D3.
Frequently asked questions
What does vitamin D do for skin?
Skin cells turn vitamin D into its active form. In cell and animal studies, it helps control how skin cells grow and mature, and it supports skin defenses [2].
Is vitamin D3 better than vitamin D2?
Both forms raise vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D3 raises it more and keeps it up longer [1].
How much vitamin D3 is in Dermal Radiance?
Each serving has 25 mcg (1,000 IU), which is 125% of the Daily Value [6].
How much vitamin D do adults need?
Adults need 15 mcg (600 IU) a day up to age 70, and 20 mcg (800 IU) a day after that [1].
Can I get enough vitamin D from the sun?
Skin makes vitamin D3 from UVB light. Season, cloud cover, sunscreen, darker skin and age all lower the amount made [1].
Does skin make less vitamin D with age?
Yes. Older adults have less of the starting material for vitamin D in their skin [2].
Is vitamin D linked to skin moisture?
In a study of 83 women, those with higher blood vitamin D had higher skin moisture readings [5].
What foods are high in vitamin D?
Cod liver oil, trout and salmon are rich sources. Fortified milk and mushrooms exposed to UV light also supply it [1].
Is vitamin D a sunscreen?
No. It does not replace sunscreen, shade or protective clothing.
- National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin D: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University. Micronutrient Information Center: Vitamin D and Skin Health. Updated January 2, 2026. https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-D (accessed October 4, 2026).
- European Commission. Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/432 (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Scott JF, Das LM, Ahsanuddin S, Qiu Y, Binko AM, Traylor ZP, Debanne SM, Cooper KD, Boxer R, Lu KQ. Oral vitamin D rapidly attenuates inflammation from sunburn: an interventional study. J Invest Dermatol. 2017;137(10):2078-2086. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.040. PMID: 28576736.
- Russell M. Assessing the relationship between vitamin D3 and stratum corneum hydration for the treatment of xerotic skin. Nutrients. 2012;4(9):1213-1218. doi:10.3390/nu4091213. PMID: 23112909.
- Anirva. Dermal Radiance Supplement Facts label and product page. https://anirva.com/pages/anti-aging-skin-supplement-dermal-radiance (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Bikle DD. Vitamin D metabolism and function in the skin. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2011;347(1-2):80-89. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2011.05.017. PMID: 21664236.
