Can You Get Vitamin D on a Cloudy Day?

You might be standing outdoors and wondering, “Can you get vitamin D on a cloudy day?” The simple answer is ‘Yes, you can!'

While it's true that ultraviolet (UV) light is essential for vitamin D production, it doesn't need to be a completely sunny day for your body to absorb it.

Based on our first-hand experience, full spectrum sunlight can still penetrate clouds, allowing you to produce vitamin D even when the sky is overcast.

At Vitamart, we specialise in providing Canadians with the best vitamin D supplements to support healthy living, no matter the weather.

In this guide, we'll explore how you get vitamin D from sunlight, factors influencing its production, and alternative sources of vitamin D to ensure you're getting enough year-round.

What this article covers:

• How Do You Get Vitamin D From Sunlight?
• Factors That Influence Vitamin D Production
• Other Ways You Can Get Vitamin D
• Can You Get Vitamin D on a Cloudy Day FAQs

How Do You Get Vitamin D From Sunlight?

Vitamin D is produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight, specifically UVB rays.

When these rays hit the skin, a chemical reaction takes place, transforming a substance called 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D3, the active form of vitamin D.

This natural process of vitamin D absorption is key to maintaining strong bones and a robust immune system.

Factors That Influence Vitamin D Production

Our research indicates that various factors can influence how much vitamin D your body makes from sunlight.

Latitude

Latitude plays a significant role in how much vitamin D and vitamin D3 you can produce from the sun. In Canada, for example, the further north you live, the less UVB radiation reaches the earth, especially in winter months.

This means people in northern regions may need additional sources of vitamin D, particularly during the colder seasons.

Skin Colour

Your skin's ability to produce vitamin D is also impacted by melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its unique colour.

People with darker skin have more melanin, which acts as a natural form of sunscreen. Ultimately, this can minimise the amount of UVB radiation absorbed by the body.

Drawing from our experience, this means people with darker skin may require more direct contact with the sun to produce the same amount of vitamin D as those with lighter skin.

Amount Of Skin Exposed To The Sun

The more skin you expose to sunlight, the more vitamin D you can produce.

If you're covered up with clothing or sunscreen, your body's ability to synthesise vitamin D decreases. According to UCLA Health, just 25% of your body—from your arms to your face—is normally exposed to the sun at any given moment.

To maximise absorption, try to expose areas like your face, neck, arms, as well as legs for brief periods in the sunlight.

Seasonality

Our findings show that seasonality plays a big part in vitamin D production, especially in Canada.

During the winter months here, the sun is lower in the sky, and fewer UVB rays reach the surface, making it harder to get enough vitamin D naturally.

This can significantly affect your vitamin D intake, so supplementation is often recommended in the colder months.

Time Spent Outside

Naturally, the more time you spend outside, the more opportunities you have to produce vitamin D. With that said, it's still important to find a balance.

Overexposure to the sun can increase the risk of damaging your skin. That's why we suggest minimising your time in direct sunlight to 15-30 minutes a few times a week.

Sunscreen

Sunscreen is pivotal for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, but it can also reduce your body's ability to make vitamin D.

If you're worried about not getting enough vitamin D while protecting your skin, consider taking a supplement, particularly during the winter months.

Other Ways You Can Get Vitamin D

While sunlight is the most natural way to get vitamin D, there are other effective ways to ensure you're getting enough of this essential nutrient.

Vitamin D Supplements

For many people, especially those living in northern latitudes, supplementation is the easiest and most reliable way to maintain healthy intake year-round.

When we tried out this product, we found that a vitamin D supplement is a simple and efficient choice for anyone struggling to get enough sunlight.

If you're asking yourself, “Should I take vitamin D in the summer?” You and other people may not get enough sunlight due to your lifestyle factors, even during summer, making supplements a year-round consideration.

Foods With Vitamin D

In addition to supplements and sunlight, you can also get vitamin D from certain foods.

Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, egg yolks, and fortified products such as milk and orange juice are all excellent sources of vitamin D.

Including these essentials in your diet can help maintain your levels, particularly when sun exposure is limited during the daytime.

Can You Get Vitamin D on a Cloudy Day FAQs

How Do You Get Vitamin D When It's Not Sunny?

Even when it's not sunny, you can still get vitamin D from full spectrum sunlight that penetrates through the clouds.

While the production may be lower compared to a sunny day, you'll still absorb some vitamin D, helping to keep your levels stable.

For days when the weather limits your contact, supplements like vitamin D softgels can bridge the gap. They comprise fatty oil bases usually made from either organic coconut oil, MCT oil, or olive oil to aid with better absorption.

Can You Get Vitamin D While In The Shade?

You can still get vitamin D when you're in the shade, though it's at a reduced rate. The indirect sunlight that reaches you is still enough to help produce some vitamin D, though.

Through our practical knowledge, we recommend spending time in dappled shade, such as under a tree. This can help you avoid direct contact to protect your skin while still benefiting from UVB rays.

Do You Need To Be In Direct Sunlight To Get Vitamin D?

You don't need to be in direct sunlight to get vitamin D, but it certainly helps. The more direct your exposure, the more vitamin D your skin can synthesise.

If you can't spend time in the sun, or if you prefer to stay covered, taking a supplement is a reliable way to ensure you're meeting your vitamin D needs.

Getting sufficient vitamin D for baby options is also important. This is especially true for newborns and infants who may not get enough sunlight in the early stages of their growth and development.

We suggest discussing which is the right vitamin D for kids with your doctor to ensure healthy development in your little one.

Conclusion

In this article, we discovered that you can get vitamin D on a cloudy day, thanks to the full spectrum of UV rays that still penetrate through clouds.

We explored how vitamin D is produced from sunlight, the factors that influence this process—including latitude, skin colour, and time spent outside—and alternative ways to get vitamin D through supplements and your diet.

At Vitamart, we're committed to helping Canadians achieve their best health with our premium vitamin supplements tailored to their needs.

So, what are you waiting for?

Browse our collection of affordable, high-quality vitamin D Canada supplements to keep your levels up, come rain or shine!

If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:

• Dogs Vitamin D
• Do Cats Need Vitamin D
• Too Much Vitamin D
• Does Vitamin D Cause Constipation?
• Normal Vitamin D Levels
• Vitamin D Depression
• Vitamin D Acne
• Vitamin D Headache
• Vitamin D From the Sun
• Best Time to Take Vitamin D
• Can You Get Vitamin D Through Window?
• How Long Does Vitamin D Take to Work?
• Best Way to Take Vitamin D
• Vitamin D Hair Loss
• Vitamin D Weight Loss